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Illinois Tax Law Questions & Answers
2 Answers | Asked in Tax Law and Real Estate Law for Illinois on
Q: If my property was sold in Illinois for back property taxes, can I ask for an extension?

My mother passed away in 2019. My grandmother had life insurance policy on her and agreed to pay the next three years of property taxes in Madison county Illinois. Well apparently she didn't, and I was served a certified letter about losing my home and property... Can I ask for an extension?... View More

Robert Shipley
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Robert Shipley
answered on Oct 13, 2024

There is a redemption period for unpaid real estate taxes. Below is from the county clerk website from Madison County:

Contact us

Madison County Clerk

P.O. Box 218

Edwardsville, IL 62025

Call: 618 692-6290

Fax: 618-692 8903

Hours: 8:30 a.m. -...
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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law, Tax Law and Education Law for Illinois on
Q: How should I file tax if my employer don’t issue me a W-2 since I’m a part time intern? I make hourly.

I got approved CPT by the school before started working. So everything is legal but I’m just worried about how should I file tax to avoid futures consequences.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 25, 2024

If your employer doesn't issue a W-2 because you're a part-time intern, you might be classified as an independent contractor. In this case, you should receive a Form 1099-NEC if your earnings exceed $600 in a year. Even if you don’t receive this form, you’re still responsible for... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Tax Law and Juvenile Law for Illinois on
Q: I was I n Danville IL I stoped to make a call a friend left his keys in my truck I left to take him his keys I noticed

I noticed a city cop behind me dropped off keys cop got behind me again folled me north 12miles to Bismarck IL I turned west went 3 miles torount 1 turned north he got behind me again no lights on the hole time 4 miles from Roseville he turned on lights I stoped he said I had a hitch pin in... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 9, 2024

Based on the information provided, it seems the police officer pulled you over for an obstructed license plate due to a hitch pin. The legality of the stop depends on the specific laws in Illinois regarding license plate visibility.

In Illinois, the law (625 ILCS 5/3-413) states that...
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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning and Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: If a property is willed between 4 people and only one person is paying property taxes can that person take ownership
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 26, 2024

No, the person paying the property taxes alone cannot automatically take ownership of the property simply because they are the only one paying taxes. Here's why:

1. Legal ownership: The ownership of the property is determined by the will, not by who pays the property taxes. If the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: Hi! I just wanted to know how does the tax department figure out that a person hasn’t paid his taxes in the state?

What measures do the department take to find out a non resident in the state. For example, if a person is staying in the state but hasn’t paid any taxes.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 20, 2024

When a person hasn't paid their taxes in a state, the tax department employs several strategies to detect this non-compliance. They use data from various sources, such as employers, banks, and other financial institutions, which report income and financial transactions to the authorities. This... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Tax Law and International Law for Illinois on
Q: What's the statute of limitations for smuggling a rug into the US from Iran, through the UK?

My parents declared an Iranian rug they bought in the UK sometime between 1990 to 1998. They declared it as Pakistani. I was there when it occurred during a European vacation to Paris and England. I think they still have the rug, and there is probably some documentation still out there about the... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 20, 2024

In the United States, smuggling items into the country by falsifying their country of origin is considered a violation of customs laws. However, the exact statute of limitations on this can vary depending on specific details such as the nature of the goods and the perceived intent behind the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: Illinois IRS is claiming I owe state taxes from 2017.

I was unemployed, an university student, and still claimed as a dependent at that time. I only filed a 1040-EZ that year. Should I fight this?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 9, 2024

It's important to understand why the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) claims you owe state taxes for 2017. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Review the notice: Carefully read the notice from the IDOR to understand the reason for the claimed tax liability.

2. Gather...
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: I received $18,000 in social security disability this last year. Do I need to file an income tax return?
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answered on Apr 2, 2024

Whether you need to file a federal income tax return depends on your total income, filing status, and age. For the 2023 tax year (filed in 2024), if your only income was from Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and it was less than $25,000 (for single filers) or $32,000 (for married filing... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: I paid my property tax to the wrong account and the owner of the property is not paying back.

I mistakenly paid my Illinois property tax to the wrong PIN, and despite my efforts to contact the property owner, I haven't received a response. The Treasurer's Department sent an initial letter to the owner on March 15, 2024, and I also sent a letter at the beginning of March. Despite... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 21, 2024

First, you should consider contacting the Illinois Treasurer's Office or the county treasurer's office directly to explain the situation and inquire about possible procedures for correcting the payment made to the wrong Property Index Number (PIN). They may have a process in place for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Business Law for Illinois on
Q: Can I offer a tax write-off form for my book drive customers when specific purchases go directly to charity?

I'm an author and have set up a book drive to benefit two specific, well-known charities. People can purchase the books at a discount from me, and then I will either ship or drive the books to the donation drop-off point. The buyers do not receive any physical items: they are purchasing for... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 11, 2024

Regarding your questions about offering tax write-offs for your book drive:

1. Offering a tax write-off form to customers:

- As an individual author, you cannot directly offer tax write-off forms to your customers. Only qualified 501(c)(3) charitable organizations can provide donors...
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law and Federal Crimes for Illinois on
Q: Do I have any options to amend a 2019 tax return or sue my accountant for his mistakes causing an overpayment on taxes?

I am aware of the three year amendment limitation for tax refunds. And I did read that it states "GENERALLY" three years. Are there any extensions to this rule or

other procedure to file an amendment? Or is this rule set in stone. Also, regarding the two year limitation on filing... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 11, 2024

Regarding amending your 2019 tax return, the general rule is that you have three years from the original due date of the return or two years from the date you paid the tax, whichever is later, to file an amended return and claim a refund. However, there are some exceptions to this rule:

1....
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: I just discovered my employer failed to take out federal taxes yet took out state taxes. They will not meet with me.

I completed a W4 when I was hired. I am a salaried employee. I have contacted them three times in the past two weeks and they refuse to respond. What can I do?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 8, 2024

Discovering that your employer has not deducted federal taxes from your salary, despite taking out state taxes, can be distressing and potentially lead to complications with the IRS. The first step is to ensure that you have documented your attempts to contact your employer about this issue. Keep... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law, Family Law, Child Custody and Child Support for Illinois on
Q: My ex is threatening with charging me income tax for claiming my son. Can he do this?

I have been separated from my son’s father for over a year. Never married. No court order for parenting time or child support. He always claimed our son on income tax returns. This year I claimed our son. My son’s father had his W4 setup to claim 1 and is telling me he’s going to charge me... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 28, 2024

In situations involving tax claims on dependents, the right to claim a child on a tax return typically depends on IRS rules concerning custodial and non-custodial parents. If you have provided the majority of the support for your son and he has lived with you for more than half of the year, you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: Do I say that I have applied for U.S. lawful residence on my tax returns?

My husband is a lawful permanent resident and has filed I-130 in 2023. We are currently waiting for approval and have not filed I-485 yet. While filling out my paperwork for tax returns as an F-1 student, I have been asked if I have ever applied for U.S. citizenship/lawful residence. What should I... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

When completing your tax returns, it's crucial to provide accurate and truthful information. If you've been asked about applying for U.S. citizenship or lawful residence, and an I-130 petition has been filed on your behalf by your husband, then yes, you should indicate that an application... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: Is the trust or trustee liable for trust tax fraud?

Who is liable for abusive trust tax evasion schemes? The trust? Or the trustee? In other words, if a trust beneficiary has failed to privately persuade a trustee to stop committing fraud on the trust's taxes (among other offenses), and the trustee keeps doing it anyway, and the beneficiary... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

The liability for abusive trust tax evasion schemes typically depends on the specific circumstances and actions of the parties involved. In cases where a trustee willfully commits fraud on the trust's taxes, the trustee would generally bear primary responsibility for the fraudulent actions.... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: Do home real estate capital gains have a window in which reinvestment would be considered a wash sale?

This would be related IRS topic 701 capital gain exclusion from a home sale.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 31, 2024

In the context of IRS Topic 701 and the capital gain exclusion from a home sale, the concept of a "wash sale" generally doesn't apply. The wash sale rule is primarily associated with securities, like stocks and bonds, and aims to prevent taxpayers from claiming a tax loss on a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce, Family Law, Tax Law and Military Law for Illinois on
Q: I was married in Okinawa, JP, however, I am trying to get divorced and have come across that it was never filed in IL.

My spouse and I got married in Okinawa while on active duty orders. However, I am trying to file for divorce and have come to many issue due to the unfortunate situation and have also realized that it was never filed with my home of record (Champaign County IL). We have been “married” since 11... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 30, 2024

Based on the information provided, a few key points:

• For a marriage that occurs abroad to U.S. citizens, it is valid in the U.S. even if not registered specifically with the home state. So you have a valid marriage.

• However, to get divorced in Illinois, you typically need to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: Will my tax refund get taken if the school I attended was closed down due to legal matters

The credits earned can’t be transferred anywhere

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 22, 2024

If your tax refund is at risk of being taken, it usually relates to specific debts like federal student loans, child support arrears, or outstanding taxes. The closure of your school due to legal matters, in itself, should not directly lead to your tax refund being taken. However, there are some... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Banking, Immigration Law and Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: As an international student, can i convert money from my home country into US dollars and buy crypto on daily basis.

Also, after buying the cryptos, can i trade them back to my home country. And doing such will i face any immigration issues?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 22, 2024

As an international student in the U.S., you are generally allowed to convert money from your home country into U.S. dollars and invest in cryptocurrencies. However, it's important to be aware of several factors. Firstly, ensure that you comply with the foreign exchange regulations of your... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Banking, Immigration Law and Tax Law for Illinois on
Q: As an international student, can i convert money from my home country into US dollars and buy crypto on daily basis.

Also, after buying the cryptos, can i trade them back to my home country. And doing such will i face any immigration issues?

Syed Ali Hussain Lahooti
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answered on Jan 21, 2024

Can you do what you are doing from your home country, such as converting your currency into dollars and then converting it back to your country's currency? Being on student status, having a social security number, and a US bank account, and using it to trade crypto—all of these fall under... View More

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