Practice and client management

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., has been called to the White House to discuss his proposed surtax on the wealthy to pay for health insurance reform.

The U.S. and Swiss governments have requested a stay on the court hearings that were set to begin Monday on whether UBS could be forced to divulge the names and bank holdings of 52,000 U.S. taxpayers.

The Obama administration has proposed legislation to Congress that would establish consistent standards for anybody who provides investment advice.

A fourth former partner at BDO Seidman has pleaded guilty in a tax shelter case.

Many taxpayers spend time during the summer months polishing their résumé and attending career fairs.

Entrepreneurs urged lawmakers to extend the research and development tax credit at a House subcommittee hearing Thursday.

The Internal Revenue Service has shelved hundreds of balance-due accounts for taxpayers who owe more than $1 million.

I’m your client and I’m in a dilemma. I need some hard answers. It always seems that the more uncertain the times, the more certainty I demand from you. I apologize. I know that’s not fair, but that’s the way it is. As my CPA, you are the trusted family advisor and I am going to lean on you for answers.

The current economy has transformed valuation of property for tax purposes into an increasingly complex area and, at the same time, one that is increasingly critical for many taxpayers.

TAX REVENUES DIVE

The PKF North American Network has started a Center for Exit Planning Excellence to help accounting firms advise aging business owners on options for what to do when they are ready to retire or move on.

The Swiss government said it is ready to confiscate UBS client information to prevent the bank from violating secrecy laws by handing documents over to the U.S. government.

Under pressure from Congress, the Internal Revenue Service has agreed to temporarily suspend until Sept. 30 its efforts to collect penalties for some listed tax shelter transactions.

A new service, AccountingMatch.com, aims to hook up small-business owners with accounting professionals who can help them, along with providing information on accounting, tax, and small-business management issues.

A federal judge has permanently barred eight men — including two CPAs and five tax preparers — from promoting an alleged tax fraud scheme involving bogus income tax credits based on fictitious methane production at landfills.

The IRS recently issued a revenue procedure to help companies that don’t want to claim the 50 percent depreciation deduction on new property included in the stimulus bill.

Washington, D.C. — A new IRS revenue procedure offers reliance criteria for private foundations and sponsoring organizations that maintain donor-advised funds to use in determining whether a potential grantee qualifies as a public charity.

The IRS needs to create a plan to comprehensively evaluate the administration of civil tax penalties and their impact on voluntary compliance, recommended a new report from the Government Accountability Office.

H&R Block is stepping up its tax audit support services as the tax prep chain sees the IRS audit rate doubling.

The American Institute of CPAs is convening its first Leadership Academy this week with 28 CPAs under the age of 35.