Practice Management

The Internal Revenue Service has appointed Kathy Petronchak as chief of staff succeeding incumbent Evelyn Petschek, who will depart the service effective June 7.

Anti-virus software provider Symantec said that the Internal Revenue Service is seeking roughly $1 billion in additional taxes, with the majority of that figure coming from Veritas Software Corp. -- a business that Symantex acquired in July.

In the glut of stories that came out around Tax Day, one in particular stood out.

Like most politicians, President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney released the details of their federal income tax returns late last week.

After two years as director of the Internal Revenue Service Office of Professional Responsibility, Cono R. Namorato returned to Washington-based law firm Caplin & Drysdale as a partner.

With the slightly later Tax Day now past, the Internal Revenue Service is still accepting extension requests, for a six-month reprieve, through E-file.

The Senate Finance Committee didn't like what it found in investigating ancillary offers often made as part of using the Internal Revenue Service's Free File online tax return preparation services.

If you're hoping to hit the ground running on or about April 24 (factoring in a few days of recuperation on a sun-drenched beach) with solid growth strategies you couldn't focus on during the busy season, here are some thoughts.Continuing to focus on three persistently challenging areas will yield maximum return - ongoing staffing shortages, changing regulation and leadership development.

IRS SELECTS FIRMS FOR COLLECTION EFFORT: The Internal Revenue Service awarded contracts to a trio of firms to participate in the first phase of its private debt collection initiative. A total of 33 firms took part in the bidding process.The selected firms are The CBE Group Inc., of Waterloo, Iowa; Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP, of Austin, Texas; and Pioneer Credit Recovery Inc., of Arcade, N.Y.

An Ohio CPA can thank his inability to properly separate his accounting business from his financial planning business for a win in U.S. Tax Court that saved him thousands in additional tax."It was an uphill battle against overwhelming odds, but victory always makes it worthwhile," said Ron Lykins, a metropolitan Columbus, Ohio, CPA.