Practice and client management

The House narrowly passed a jobs bill aimed at reducing unemployment, but the legislation’s prospects are uncertain in the Senate.

Economic uncertainty, coupled with the possibility of higher tax rates, has driven taxpayers to seek more face time with their accountants.

An income tax treaty between the United States and Italy has taken effect after a decade-long delay.

The IRS has chosen to use TaxWise software from CCH Small Firm Services at its tax assistance sites for the 15th consecutive year.

IMGCAP(1)]The IRS is conducting a sweep of real estate investors that challenges deductions investors have been taking as a routine part of business for years. The sweep is based on an IRS belief that there is a “compliance gap” in this area.

A biennial survey by the National Society of Accountants found that the cost of preparing an itemized Form 1040 with a Schedule A and a state tax return averages $229.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., dropped efforts to temporarily extend the estate tax at its current level in the face of Republican opposition.

A new report from the Bay Street Group research firm describes the key factors driving new opportunities for accounting firms in this difficult business environment.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued proposed regulations under a new law that will require reporting of basis and other information by stock brokers and mutual fund companies for most stock purchased in 2011 and all stock purchased in 2012 and later years.

CCH has issued a Special Tax Briefing on the Tax Extenders Act of 2009 that was approved this month by the House.

Promoters have been marketing on the Internet the use of 401(k) funds to purchase franchises or startup businesses, which normally require up-front material sums of monies to launch.

You'll be seeing a few changes on Accounting Tomorrow in the coming months. We'll still have our own URL, www.accountingtomorrow.com, but we'll be amping up our blog to engage and promote reader discussion. We'll also be unveiling a new logo that will mesh better with Accounting Today's brand.

MICHIGAN

The Worker, Homeownership and Business Assistance Act of 2009 has given hard-pressed businesses a generous pre-holiday gift in its extension and expansion of the enhanced five-year net operating loss carryback provision under Code Sec. 172. Many economists predict an eventual windfall to businesses far in excess of the $10.5 billion 10-year cost estimated by the Joint Committee on Taxation. Even so, the Joint Committee forecasts front-loaded benefits of over $33 billion in 2010. To maximize this windfall, however, each taxpayer must carefully evaluate how its own facts and circumstances relate to certain variables and recommended strategies.

It looks like we are going to be ina tough economy for the foreseeable future. That doesn't mean that you have to be satisfied with mediocre profits. I want to share some things you can do to help improve your profit picture during the next 12 months.

The economic storm is battering companies nationwide, and small businesses are not immune to its fury.

The recession has taken its toll among the shop keepers on Main Street.

While the economic crisis continues, it's a constant challenge for small businesses just to weather the storm. Streamlining various aspects of company-wide operations is a priority that can be approached from various aspects.

RANGEL BILL CLAMPS DOWN ON UNREPORTED FOREIGN INCOME

The surge in projected government spending, coupled with diminishing sources of revenue, raises the probability that lawmakers may look toward a value-added tax to close the gap.