News, practice tips, and industry updates for CPAs, enrolled agents, attorneys, and everyone else working in tax professionally.
Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to chat with Marjorie Kornhauser, a professor at the Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law at Arizona State University about her Tax Literacy Project. It’s an ambitious project, for sure. Her plan is to make tax law more accessible (!) to the general public through a series of…
For the 2011 tax season, the IRS has announced that it will require commercial tax return preparers to register with the agency and pass a competency exam. Commercial tax preparers will also be subject to continuing education requirements and ethics rules. IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman enthusiastically supports the idea, calling it “a game-changing event for…
This just in from the ABA: The American Bar Association Section of Taxation announced the recipients of its 2010 Nolan Fellowships to be awarded during a luncheon at the section’s Midyear Meeting in San Antonio on Jan. 23. Nolan Fellows are young tax lawyers who are actively involved in the section and have demonstrated leadership…
This tax season, Penny Lea Jones won’t be preparing tax returns if the feds have their way. U.S. District Judge Edward J. Lodge has issued a preliminary injunction barring Jones from preparing federal income tax returns for taxpayers while a lawsuit against her proceeds. The lawsuit is one of seven such actions filed by the…
It sounds like something right out of Hollywood: a lawyer takes a kickback in exchange for setting up wealthy clients in a multi-billion dollar tax loss-generating scheme. He then applies for a false passport using an assumed name – which passport is found, along with crystal meth, date-rape drugs and horse tranquilizers, inside his home….
Earlier this month, I posted on WalletPop that tax audits were on the rise. I know – not just because the IRS has admitted as much (they have) or because I’m seeing an increase in audits at my practice and with my colleagues (I am) – but because I’m finding myself on the other side…
That yellow ball in the sky this morning threw me for a loop. They say it’s called the sun. At any rate, I was thrilled to see it. I grabbed a cup of coffee and cozied up to the computer for another edition of “Sunday Mailbag.” Here’s a couple of “nontax” ask the taxgirl questions…
The Internal Revenue Service invites proposals for original papers for the 2010 IRS Research Conference. Topics can include tax compliance, taxpayer burden, improving tax administration, and the nature and behavior of the taxpayer population. You don’t have to be a tax pro to enter. Proposals are welcome from government and non-government researchers. One author from…
It’s Getting To Know You Tuesday! Today’s feature tax pro is tax attorney and fellow coffee addict Craig Aird. 1. Where are you now? In my office watching the float planes land on Lake Union. 2. What’s your official title and what does it mean? Associate Attorney. It means I’ve got to get back to…
The University of Southern California Gould School of Law has announced that it will now offer a graduate Tax Law program. Upon completion of 24 units, students will receive a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation degree. Students may begin applying for fall 2010 enrollment on a full-time or part-time basis in October 2009. “We…