Taxes

Excess Deductions (LITX14/24)

A common audit issue is the loss limitation rules, and basis is a high priority audit issue for the IRS for S-corporation shareholders. This program focuses on how to correct a situation where a client deducted losses in excess of their basis in an S-corporation; anyone dealing with S-corporation shareholders will benefit. Discussion Leader: Ian Redpath

Self Employment and Income Tax (LITX13/24)

The IRS estimates that it loses over $10 Billion a year in employment taxes. One of the often audited issues today is the self-employment treatment of various types of partners and members in an LLC. Who is a W-2 employee and who is subject to self-employment taxes. Anyone with client’s taxed as partnerships will benefit. Discussion Leader: Ian Redpath

Legal Ways to Have Untaxed Income (LITX12/24)

All that is certain is death and taxes! OK, but could we wait to pay the inevitable tax, until AFTER the equally inevitable death? Sure! The much-maligned Internal Revenue Code even includes sections explaining how to do that . . . and maybe have income that is never subjected to tax . . . at least not the income tax. Tax-Free Cash . . . Ian Redpath will explain a dozen legal ways to manage your affairs to produce it . . . and you will not be required to die to take advantage of all of them. Discussion Leader: Ian Redpath

Tax Considerations in Changing the Form of Business Entity (LITX10/24)

There are different tax consequences to both businesses and owners depending on the tax entity used to operate the business. When clients are considering a change in form it may be for a non-tax reason but will still have tax considerations. The course discusses the legal and tax implications for the entity and owners when changing common forms of operations. Anyone advising business clients will benefit.

Tax Knowledge Nugget- Session 2 (LITX0924)

Tax law and rules for compliance can change and require the practitioner to know the change in order to provide the best service to a client. The monthly “Nugget” includes information on court decisions and IRS rulings our experts know should be shared with the client depending on you to avoid trouble, and to take advantage of opportunities for reducing the tax bill. Discussion Leader: Ian Redpath

Remote Seller Sales Tax Update (LITX08/24)

Sales tax is constantly evolving, and a basic understanding of sales tax strategy is more important than ever. In this presentation entitled “Remote Seller Sales Tax Update”, the founder of Sales Tax and More, Michael Fleming, CMI, will review the major changes that have happened in the sales tax world for remote sellers since Wayfair in 2018. Discussion Leader: Michael Fleming

An Employee Retention Credit Update- Understanding the Rules to Protect Clients from ERC Mills (LITX07/24)

The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) was an important COVID tax period that allowed payroll tax credits to keep employees working. Recently, the IRS has identified the ERC as a fraud target and warned against “ERC mills”. Many clients have heard the advertisements on TV, radio and the internet and/or been approached by promotors offering assistance in amending Form 941 to get the credit. The IRS announced it is assigning a large number of agents to audit the ERC claims. The course will discuss the rules to obtain the credit and what to do if a client has been scammed. Discussion Leaders: Karen Davis and Ian Redpath

Chat GPT in Tax Practice (LIOT11/24, LIOT12/24)

Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) chatbot ChatGPT has taken the country by storm. ChatGPT reached 1 million (1M) users within only 5 days of its release. What is ChatGPT? It is a computer program designed to generate answers to questions posed in human-like, conversational responses.

ChatGPT is being utilized by young and old alike in federal tax practice as we speak. But, is it ready for prime time? ChatGPT has its strengths, but also currently has notable weaknesses. Blink your eyes and it will change (and likely get a lot better very quickly). If tax practitioners do not jump on the GAI train now, they’re likely to get left at the station.

How many of the following questions can you confidently answer?

1. Is the use of general AI (ChatGPT in particular) helpful in tax practice?
2. If helpful, in what contexts may it best be used?
3. How can ChatGPT save you time and make you money?
4. What SKILL SETS capably aid you in your approach utilizing ChatGPT?
5. What are the practical limitations on its use? Can it be harmful?
6. Does ChatGPT hallucinate?
7. What are the legal, accounting and tax ethics rules applicable to the use of ChatGPT?
8. What must you know and do to prevent ChatGPT from getting you into trouble?

This course answers the above questions through a series of case study ChatGPT searches and second effort. Discussion Leader: Bradley Burnett

Lifecycle Financial Planning – Qualified Retirement Plans (LITX06/24)

Having sufficient assets to live a comfortable and secure retirement is one of the concerns that many people face. This concern cannot be resolved without having a solid retirement plan. In this course, we will discuss the foundation of most people’s retirement planning – qualified plans. We will discuss the types of qualified plans, how they are taxed, and when they might be useful to clients. Through discussion and real-world examples, we will explore the RMD rules and when a distribution may qualify for an exception. Discussion Leader: David Peters