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November 2024
HANSON HEADLINES
CraigHansonCPA.com • (701) 252-6190
Identity Protection PINS, IRS Online Account Protection Against Tax-Related Identity Theft
Have you ever been worried about someone taking your personal information to file a fraudulent return in your name? How would you know if someone filed a fraudulent return in your name? Are there any options to protect against this abusive threat? In most cases, if you filed a return early in the filing season, you can be sure you are fine for that year. However, if you filed a return later in the filing season and filed it electronically, and if it was accepted, you are fine for that year. But if your preparer gets a rejection notice because a return has been filed with the primary taxpayer’s Social Security number, then you will have a problem. It can be fixed, but it may take some time to get straightened out. Fortunately, the IRS has two new tools to help you keep your personal information from being used in a fraudulent manner. The first new tool is the IRS Identity Protection PIN program. This program was only available if you had your tax identity stolen, and you were then required to have this special PIN number, which needed to be in the tax return information so the IRS would know you filed the return and not someone else using your personal information. The IRS has now opened this program to anyone who can qualify and be able to verify their identity.
3. If you are not able to verify your identity through either of the two previous options, you can call the IRS and make an appointment at the local Taxpayer Assistance Center and provide one picture ID document and another identification document in person to get a PIN number. It should be noted that the IRS Identity Protection PIN is only good for one year, so you will need to obtain a new one each year. The only ones who will have this PIN number are the IRS, you, and your tax preparer, so this will make your return less likely to be fraudulently prepared by someone else. The second new tool is the IRS Online Account. This account, once established, will allow taxpayers to access information about prior returns, etc., that the IRS has, as well as avoid tax problems down the road. Once this account is established, you will be able to download the new Identity Protection PIN number for the current tax year. If you use one of the second two options to get into the IRS Identity Protection PIN program, the IRS will mail you a new PIN number each year. It is important to note that when you receive this PIN number, you should only share this number with your trusted tax preparer. Also, the IRS will never call, email, or text you or your tax professional to request the IP PIN. If you receive a call requesting this information, it is a scam. If you would like to protect your privacy and sign up for a PIN number, contact me. I can provide you with complete
There are three ways to obtain this PIN number:
1. You can apply for a PIN number online at IRS.gov — there is a verification process to go through, and if you can get through this process, a PIN number can be obtained. 2. If you can’t verify your identity online, you can File Form 15227 and send it in, and an IRS representative will call you to get your identity verified. This form can only be used if your income is less than $79,000 for individuals and $158,000 for married couples.
information, help you determine the best option for you, and assist you with the information you will need to verify your information.
–Craig Hanson
Have tax problems? Unsure what to do? Our Free video reveals what you should and should NOT do when you receive the dreaded letter from the IRS. CraigHansonCPATaxResolution.com
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From Glazed Eyes to Focused Minds How to Get Your Team to Embrace Your Vision
Running a successful business can seem impossible if you feel your employees aren’t listening and giving you their full attention. Have you ever talked with a team member, giving them vital instructions for a task, only for them to respond with a slow head nod and a glazed-over expression? They likely didn’t ask follow-up questions or assert that they understood your directions. They simply heard what you said and will take it from there, creating a frustrating disconnect. Many business owners and managers don’t know how to tackle this dilemma effectively. They’ll often respond negatively to their team, increasing their frustration and causing their team to feel disrespected, which worsens the situation for everyone. You can’t yell, belittle, or fire your team members when this happens; you’ll only make the problem worse and create a hostile work environment. Instead, you have to get your team to buy into the business, their daily duties, and everything else to ensure you can run a successful business for many years. So, what’s the secret to getting your team to listen to you intently? Here are three strategies you should implement to see if they improve your team’s response. Get your team to buy into your business and core values. Let’s remove the elephant from the room right away. Most people who apply to work for you and accept an offer of employment are not committed to the business and its ideals from the get-go. They initially start working for your company for a paycheck and experience in the industry. It’s during their
first few days, weeks, and months that you can get them to buy into the business and believe in your values, but they won’t do this without effort on your part. You need to figure out why your employees should believe in what you do. Start by asking yourself a few valuable questions. Why does your business exist? Why do you need a team? Why are you asking your team to perform a specific task? These shouldn’t be difficult questions for you to answer, but your employees won’t likely consider them during their daily shifts. You must explore the answers to these questions and then share them with your team. By doing so, you’re giving them a purpose behind any request. When you have the right players, sharing this information helps them get on board and emotionally connect to the business. When everyone is working toward the same goal, it creates a more friendly and productive work environment. Trust goes both ways. Many business owners live with the idea that it’s my way or the highway. This does not create a great work environment. If you want your team to trust in you and what you say, you need to reciprocate it. This is a slow process and will take time to build. Don’t micromanage your team unless you have to. You hired them to do a job and take on specific responsibilities, so let them. If you find this challenging, start small. Delegate smaller tasks to your team until they’ve fully earned your trust. Then, you can pass off more significant responsibilities. This will help you build influence with your team while giving you more time to focus on tasks vital to your business’s success. Be clear with your expectations. Don’t be vague. You must be clear with your team and share your expectations to achieve the desired results. Sometimes, your employees won’t know exactly what they must do to accomplish your goals. Walk them through specific tasks when necessary and explain what the result should be. Once your team understands what they need to do and why it’s crucial to the business’s overall success, they’ll be less likely to make mistakes. When your team believes in your business and everything you’re trying to accomplish, you’ll notice immediate boosts within every aspect of your business.
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HAVE A Laugh working directly with knowledgeable and influential members of the bartending community, he created a unique product that appealed to a broad audience. While ITALICUS’ brand recognition is growing, there’s still plenty of work to do before it becomes a household name. for Martini & Rossi, winning prestigious awards for his work before taking the next leap in his career, starting ITALICUS. ITALICUS allowed Gallo to reintroduce a historic Italian liqueur that few others dared to touch. He gained inspiration to create the drink thanks to an ancient recipe, “l Rosolio di Torino,” which he found in a book from the 1800s called “Il Liquorista Pratico” by Luigi Sala. Rosolio is a traditional Italian liqueur that royalty drank during the Renaissance era. It is made from a base of alcohol, water, and sugar and is often flavored with an essence. ITALICUS sets itself apart by being the first and only liquor to utilize the Bergamot orange, a citrus fruit frequently used by perfume brands for fragrance. Gallo didn’t create ITALICUS in a day, and its success stems from his diligent work to perfect his product before releasing it to the public. He worked alongside bartenders and drink professionals from Italy, the UK, and the U.S. to help keep him on the right track. By discussing and
Names That Almost Were The Bizarre and Creative Titles That Nearly Defined Our States Even if ITALICUS takes off and becomes one of the most popular drink brands worldwide, Gallo does not plan to sell his business. In an interview with “The Drinks Business,” Gallo stated, “With ITALICUS, the agenda is not driven by money but by the legacy we can leave behind.” Gallo hopes this is the first step in a long and rewarding journey. It is having trouble breaking into the American market due to complexities outside of its control. In addition to ITALICUS, Gallo has also released two other unique drinks, Savoia Orancio and Savoia Americano.
What if your state’s name could have been something different? Let’s look into the names that almost were.
Kentucky Kentucky might have been Transylvania. In 1775, businessman
Richard Henderson signed a treaty with the Cherokee tribe, securing land known as the Transylvania colony. However, Virginia had already claimed it. Years later, those living on Henderson’s attempted purchase broke away to become Kentucky. Utah When Brigham Young, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, moved the congregation west, he petitioned Congress to create a new state for them called Deseret, after a name in “The Book of Mormon.” The government declined the request until 1896 and named the state Utah after the Ute tribe. Nevada Nevada was almost Humboldt, named for explorer and naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who popularized scientific exploration. Ultimately, when Nevada became a state in 1864, they used the Spanish word for “snow-covered.”
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905 James Ave. NE • Jamestown, ND 58401 (701) 252-6190 • CraigHansonCPA.com Inside This EDITION
Have tax problems? Unsure what to do? Our Free video reveals what you should and should NOT do when you receive the dreaded letter from the IRS. CraigHansonCPATaxResolution.com
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Identity Protection PINS, IRS Online Account
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The Secret to Employee Engagement 3. Discover the Fascinating ‘What-Ifs’ of State Names 4. How ITALICUS Challenges the Giants of the Beverage Industry
The Art of Standing Out Giuseppe Gallo Navigates a Saturated Alcohol Industry
When you think about the most challenging industries in which to start a new business, what comes to mind? The pharmaceutical and entertainment industries are probably high on your list since they require lots of money and connections to get off the ground and compete with the big dogs. But another might not be so obvious — the food and drink industry. Whether you’re considering opening a restaurant or distributing your mom’s pasta sauce recipe, this industry is full of pitfalls for unaware entrepreneurs. One reason this industry is more challenging for entrepreneurs is the size of their competitors. Imagine you created the ultimate soft drink. It’s as flavorful as Coca-Cola, Dr. Pepper, and Mountain Dew but has no sugar
or unhealthy ingredients. It should be a game-changer for the industry, but getting people to try your product would be difficult, let alone convincing them to switch from their favorite brand. Now, imagine you created a new alcoholic beverage. Not only are you competing with the big players, but you’re also competing with celebrities who joined the recent trend of creating their own alcoholic beverages. George Clooney’s Casamigos Tequila and Ryan Reynolds’ Aviation Gin are just two examples from an oversaturated celebrity alcohol market, but that doesn’t mean entrepreneurs have no chance of breaking into the industry. You can find success if you create a unique product that interests the general public. That’s exactly how Giuseppe Gallo plans to grow his brand, ITALICUS. Gallo grew up in a little village off the Amalfi Coast in southern Italy. After many years in the industry, Gallo became well-known as one of the world’s most respected mixologists. He worked as an international brand ambassador
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