Since this is our first column of the New Year, it may be particularly appropriate to look back into 2007 to try to predict some of what will happen in 2008. The history of important tax developments that took place in 2007 is rich and varied. Shakespeare's "What is past is prologue" was never so apt.In that spirit, we have selected 10 developments as standouts in terms of their impact on the future, and especially on 2008 tax strategies. We explain each of these top 10 below. And, of course, respecting the difficulty of prioritizing just 10 2007 tax developments as most significant, we conclude by listing several more as runners up!

The Institute of Management Accountants has joined a widespread call for the Securities and Exchange Commission to accept financial reports prepared under international accounting standards without reconciliation with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.The IMA's main concern is not so much that filings by foreign companies might be easier, but that convergence with international standards would effectively replace the U.S. set of standards - which the institute believes are onerous, if not downright crushing.

The Financial Accounting Standards Board is heading into a year in which the ball of due process will spend a lot of time in the court of the board's constituents.Between New Year's Day and early spring, the board may have as many as 11 documents issued for public comment, with a couple more out by summer. Three final documents may be issued in the first quarter, but they're the only pronouncements expected before 2009.

The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department have released final regulations and a revenue procedure requiring tax preparers to obtain consent before they can distribute taxpayer information to third parties, along with a proposal to restrict the marketing of refund anticipation loans and similar products.

James E. Koenig, the former CFO of disposal giant Waste Management, was ordered to pay over $4 million in penalties for committing 60 securities law violations over a five-year period.

The Government Accountability Office has issued a guidance document to help auditors comply with the new requirements of the July 2007 revision of government auditing standards.

The Securities and Exchange Commission said the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota has entered final judgments against the former CFO and controller of Buca Inc., the corporate parent of the Buca di Beppo restaurant chain.