Tax Strategies

Lee Zoeller, a partner at the international law firm Reed Smith LLP, recently began leading the Institute for Professionals in Taxation.

During the downturn, many practitioners have found it necessary to brush up on the loss-deduction rules. When the economy is humming, an overabundance of income is usually available to offset any loss that might surface. When times get tough, however, a variety of loss-limiting rules under the Tax Code suddenly demand some attention. The "basket" approach to figuring out what loss can offset what income can be useful under these circumstances, especially as year-to-year tax planning may be available to offset the offsets.

IRS DROPS ACORN

Tax prep software vendors are counting on an upswing in the professional tax preparation market to fuel their own growth during the upcoming tax filing season.

Vertex has announced an online certification program through which continuing professional education credits can be earned.

House Democrats unveiled their health care reform package after assembling the various components passed this summer by three separate committees.

Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan have called on Congress to extend the First-Time Homebuyers Tax Credit past its Dec. 1 expiration date, while putting in place strong anti-fraud measures.

The IRS’s Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee has released a report outlining recommendations on a wide range of tax administration issues, including creating new forms and instructions, and reporting of a customer’s basis in securities transactions.

IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman had some news for CPAs gathered to hear him speak at an AICPA conference on Monday: high-income individuals are going to be in the agency’s cross-hairs now.

Democratic leaders of key House and Senate committees have introduced legislation to force foreign financial institutions, trusts and corporations to provide information about their U.S. account holders, grantors and owners.