In: Accounting
A client earned in first year of business, in 2015 $50,000 in cash however was told that the money earned did not have to be claimed however you learned that the client actually earned $190,000 in 2015 in cash.
Is it correct that if you earned all cash it does not have to be reported?
Is the cash that the client made taxable? If so how much?
.What will you tell the client?
What laws govern this situation? (Source)
What penalties are possible? (source for the information)
1. yes, Its possible that all cash earned cannot be reported. It might be the advance cash eceived for the business doing in next year or the arrears received for the previous years.
2. Yes, the cash earned by the client is taxable. Income tax genrally follows accrual concept. But if client wish to follow cash basis for taxation then it can follow. Assuming, the client also follows accrual basis for accounting of income, taxable amount is $50,000.
3. I will suggest the client that yes reporting of income can be different from the actual received cash. Also, i will suggest the client the method of accounting for the taxability of income.
4. Income tax laws of respective state govern the situation.
5. Penalty will be attracted as per the applicable law of the state if there is underreporting of income.
Note: since name of state is not mentioned then we cannot specify the penalty amount and tax amount.