Tax Tools

Most tax preparers have heard by now of Skype or one of the similar video-conferencing services -- and some have tried such services, and report success when connecting with long-distance clients --some of whom the preparers have never even met.

Thomson Reuters has introduced a new system to help foreign financial firms comply with the requirements of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.

Seems like a timesaver in tax season: Scan all documents and let software auto-fill information from clients’ forms. Selecting scanners, however, means gambling that a hardware investment will, in fact, pay off, and that can mean carefully examining your client base and information flow.

A new Web site aims to help small business owners and their accountants deal with the increased burdens of Form 1099 filing by preparing and filing the forms online.

CCH has introduced a new tax planning tool to help tax advisors and their clients keep a step ahead of the fiscal cliff negotiations in Congress and the White House.

Tax preparation solution vendor Drake Software is offering a new online tax prep solution, Drake Zero.

Referrals and word of mouth remain the strongest marketing tool for tax preparers and other professionals, and as the 2013 tax season looms, here are some valuable tips for preparers to use referrals in their practice.

The Income Tax School has launched a Web site of more than 70 tax courses and products, plus many free resources for tax professionals. ITS said the move was in response to the new IRS regulations for tax preparers and the corresponding growing demand for tax education.

CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business, has released two new mobile tax information apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices -- CCH Applicable Federal Rates 2012 and CCH Tax Rates and Tables 2012 -- adding to its line of mobile applications.

New River Innovation has enhanced its Beyond415 Guidance product, a Web-based research center for resolving issues after tax filing, with key features including searchable guidance covering individual, business, and payroll areas of IRS practice and procedure.