Category: Taxes
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Working class men and the future of the rural marina
We are now speaking with individuals who may want to be involved as ‘sweat equity’ shareholders, casual workers or just volunteers, tax-motivated real estate investors, and environmental professionals.
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Seven foundational concepts of professional tax practice
Seven foundational concepts of professional tax practice:
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Why does Congress protect tax cheaters?
The issue of tax cheating, audits, and enforcement have been in the news lately. The topic is of growing concern in my daily business conversations. This post describes my own experiences. Background Despite evidence that tax cheating by high income earners has soared over the past decade and that more recent Congressional action is making…
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What’s included in tax services?
Lately I use the term “bundled services” to describe how my tax service differs from some other professional providers. We also use the term ” old fashioned” and “relationship-based”. Whatever we call it, my standard accounting engagement agreement includes a bundle of basic and preliminary services and a bunch of advanced services to ensure a…
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Should a CPA prepare your tax return?
Summary The AICPA says “Simply put, a CPA will save you money in the long run and look out for your best interests. Anyone can drop numbers into software to prepare a tax return. However, a CPA will analyze your specific situation for tax savings opportunities and help you plan for next year.” This blog post expands…
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TurboTax user needs free tax advice
“I’m doing my tax return on TurboTax and I just have a quick question. I wonder if there is something wrong because I’m not getting any money back”. – a caller yesterday I pick up my own phone so sometimes I get these types of questions. Tax preparers tend to be irritated by calls asking…
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My comment on revised Statements on Standards for Tax Services
The AICPA proposed revisions to its Statements on Standards for Tax Services. Tax practitioners are asked to provide comments on the proposed SSTS changes. I submitted a comment regarding the disclosure on the use of estimates when a taxpayer is ill. *** The current standard on the use of estimates under unusual circumstances 2.4.1 says…
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We need better information on tax collection trends
Anecdotal observations: My own anecdotal experience and online comments from other tax professionals indicates that tax audits and collection activity have increased this year at all levels – federal, state and local. This observation of rapidly increasing tax collection activities is not reflected in published data. Discrepancy between published data vs observed data: Four months…
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When “Hire an expert” doesn’t work for taxes
When we seek information on complex business or personal tax matters, the conventional appropriate advice is “hire an expert”. I do not disagree. I use tax and legal experts often. But increasingly I see why that advice is not useful for clients from a practical viewpoint. Consider these counter points: 1) The pool of specific…
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No tax change coming
The Inflation Protection Act (IRA) is expected to be passed by Congress this weekend and signed into law by the President shortly thereafter. This is an appropriate time to repeat a reminder that there will be no significant change in income tax liability to anyone reading our publications. This message repeats the tax forecast offered…