In the Blogs: That's SOL, Folks

Highlights of some of our favorite tax-related blogs from the past week.

On their marks

  • Tax Policy: Maybe it’s not gonna be so terrific, the best: “When it comes to reforming America’s Tax Code, Donald Trump’s tax plan has only half of the blueprint; while Mr. Trump’s plan slashes tax rates across the board, it fails to broaden the tax base to make up for lost revenue.”
  • Tax Analysts: Muddled motivations don’t make the case crystal for Trump (even given “cringe-worthy attacks”) having to release his returns.
  • Backtaxeshelp: “If you’re wealthy, then who you vote for will likely have a large impact on your current tax bill, no matter which candidate you choose.” Good to know at least one thing in this loopy campaign is the same as all past elections.

That’s SOL, folks

  • Procedurally Taxing: How preparer fraud now joins the fraud of the taxpayer in keeping the statute of limitations on assessment open indefinitely.
  • Federal Tax Crimes: An additional look at cases and background of the above.
  • Rubin on Tax: Ditto, plus a look at a district court’s denying an IRS request to lien a beneficiary’s discretionary interest.
  • Due Diligence: In this week’s collection: “Wage Theft Updates: Service Industry, Food Service and More”; “What Do Enterprise-Rent-a-Car and a St Louis Hotel Co. Have in Common?”; “Sham Veteran-Owned Biz Owner Guilty”; One Hundred Million Unsafe Prescription Drugs”; and “Corrections Officers Get $2M to Settle Wage Claims.”

Lunch and the arcane

  • Solutions for CPA Firm Leaders: It’s nice to ask clients what else they need from your firm. It’s likely more effective, though, to know their business so well that you can tell them what else they need.
  • John R. Dundon II EA: Our favorite opening of the week: “We get all sorts of fascinating questions from established U.S. taxpayers as well as those experiencing internationalism for the first time. It seems regardless of the degree of sophistication in U.S. income tax filing obligations, most people are out to lunch when it comes to arcane acronyms and filing requirements.” Drilling into Form 2555.
  • Taxjar: The skinny on chip cards – which, if you take credit cards in your practice, you might want to scan.
  • The Tax Times: Seems they can be nice when they want to be: A look at a new IRS procedure to allow requests for return of property in specific structuring cases.
  • IRS Problem Solver Blog: Handy infographic on free IRS services for taxpayers.

Days ahead

  • The Income Tax School: Fun in the sun will only get you so far ahead come September. “5 Marketing Things to Do This Summer” looks at good moves for the muggy days, from reviewing last season’s sales and marketing efforts to mapping out your newsletter copy through Thanksgiving.
  • Roth & Co.: A look at the elasticity of the deadlines to certify Work Opportunity Tax Credits.
  • BNA blogs: What the rest of 2016 holds for the doings of FASB.
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