Professional Development and Event Catalog

The purpose of this course is to provide an in-depth discussion of selected advanced-level issues affecting LLCs and LLPs.

Part of the technical competence of most experienced tax practitioners is the ability to advise owners of S corporations and partnerships or multiple-member LLCs treated as partnerships regarding the tax rules that apply when these entities liquidate. Entity liquidations do not occur every day; but they do occur, and often at very critical times in the business life of the entity and its owners. All tax practitioners should be able to advise their clients about the tax issues associated with client businesses that go out of existence and liquidate. This program explains the tax consequences associated with liquidating S corporations, partnerships, and multiple-member limited liability companies treated as partnerships.

Owners of S corporations and partnerships are subject to various limitations on pass-through losses, each with unique rules, applications, and complexities. As many businesses are reporting losses as a result of COVID-19, it is essential for tax practitioners to understand the mechanical aspects of each limitation and how they coordinate to provide effective planning for loss utilization in future periods.

Each year, more states legalize cannabis (i.e., marijuana) for medical or recreational purposes. As legalization grows, so too does the cannabis industry. While some financial professionals have stayed away from this growing sector of the economy, others have embraced the opportunities the cannabis industry has to offer. The legalization of cannabis brings with it a complex regulatory landscape, which includes strict compliance with federal and state regulations. However, the complexity of this emerging market provides opportunities for accountants and other financial professionals. Behind the cannabis dispensaries are scores of related business sectors including food production, retail, farming, and chemical production, as well as facilities, design, and construction. Simply stated, the commercialization of marijuana offers financial professionals an opportunity to participate in an industry expected to reach $73 billion worldwide within six years.

The most difficult concepts to master when dealing with flow-through business entities are the basis and distribution concepts. Major error and malpractice issues occur if the CPA does not fully understand the impact of these rules. This course is designed to focus on the practical applications of these rules.

During this interactive simulation, you will act as an IRS tax agent tasked with analyzing a tax return with various items flagged for review. After you interview the taxpayers, you must make any necessary changes to the return based on the latest tax legislation. Your goal is to close the examination and ensure the tax return is complete and accurate. Do you have what it takes to "Max the Tax"?

During this interactive simulation, you will interview a sophisticated client who is knowledgeable about the latest changes in tax laws. This client always comes prepared with ideas of what deductions he may take, and it is your job to determine whether his claims are accurate and consistent with the latest tax regulations.

Participants must use their expertise to assist a new client who just received Letter 6173 from the IRS. The client didn't share any crypto-related transactions or events with the tax accountant who filed the original return. It's up to the participants to meet with the client and uncover details of the activities so an accurate, amended tax return can be completed. They must carefully ask questions to get all the relevant information, determine the proper changes to taxable income, and submit the documentation correctly to avoid an IRS response and losing the new client.

A client is starting a new business and needs advice on whether to choose an S or C corporation. She is seeking support to determine the most advantageous entity from a tax-efficiency perspective. Participants will first ask relevant questions about the client's plans and then advise her on entity selection based on their expertise.

Liam, a public relations executive, needs expert advice regarding equity compensation options he has received. Liam researched key topics but needs the participant's help to validate his findings. Then, participants will review various equity compensation scenarios and advise on the most appropriate tax planning strategies available (e.g., 83(b) election, etc.).

In this scavenger hunt game, you're a tax associate at Surging CPAs, LLC. It's the busy time of year, and you arrive at work to find an urgent assignment in your inbox from your senior manager, Caroline. Another colleague suddenly quit, and Caroline needs help finishing the tax return today for the client, Jasper Jones, a small business owner. Jasper does not want to file an extension. You're asked to jump in and help complete the Schedule C, which is the only remaining form to complete the return.

You just received an email from Roni, a prospective new client. He owns several properties under the business name Roni's Real Rentals LLC and wants help minimizing rental income and maximizing deductions that offset the rental income. You will interview Roni and visit his two properties to gain a better understanding of his situation. Advise Roni by providing him good and relevant ideas, and he will ask you to be his new tax accountant.

Two firms need expert help with Section 754, and game participants are just the right people to assist. First, partners at LMN, LLP are considering electing Section 754. They need to understand key aspects of the process and want to ensure the best outcome to their basis in partnership property and interest. Participants must then leverage their knowledge and calculate the adjusted basis balance sheet for another firm that already elected Section 754.

The leading edge of the baby boomer generation has already reached retirement age. Financial and tax planners can expect increased demand for strategies that dovetail Social Security with other retirement and estate planning objectives. This course provides tax and financial planning professionals with both the background information on the Social Security system and the strategies clients will need in dealing with Social Security, and the myriad other related retirement planning issues.

With the largest overhaul of the federal income tax code in 30 years and the repeal of the physical presence nexus standards for sales tax in the Wayfair case, the states are working fast and furious to overhaul their tax laws. As some states scramble to fund their budgets, they continue to look for additional forms of revenue. Plan to attend this fast-paced class that covers developing topics in the area of nexus. Learn how nexus requirements have changed and where the state laws may be heading in the future.

With the largest overhaul of the federal income tax code in 30 years and the repeal of the physical presence nexus standards for sales tax in the Wayfair case the states are working fast and furious to overhaul their tax laws. As some states scramble to fund their budgets, they continue to look for additional forms of revenue. You can't afford to ignore recent changes in state and local tax. Even tax-savvy businesses and their advisers often neglect to consider the consequences of state and local taxes. Multistate taxation is more complex and demanding than ever before. In addition to having their own unique tax laws, states have been more focused on enforcement. Plan to attend this fast-paced class that covers developing topics in state taxation, ranging from individuals to pass-through entities to corporate taxpayers. This class will focus on issues of small and middle-market companies and offer guidance for minimizing tax liability and negotiating the treacherous waters of compliance.

Despite the fact that a client's tax matter may be taken directly to court, utilizing IRS Appeals usually results in saving your client both time and money. Join us as we discuss the misunderstood process of going to IRS Appeals.

Despite the fact that a client's tax matter may be taken directly to court, utilizing IRS Appeals usually results in saving your client both time and money. Join us as we discuss the misunderstood process of going to IRS Appeals.

Cryptocurrency is heading mainstream. According to a recent study conducted by New York Digital Investment Group, there are 46 million bitcoin holders in the US, and institutions have also shown increased interest in this space. The rising popularity of cryptocurrency and the inclusion of the virtual currency question on the front and center of Form 1040 have made cryptocurrency a subject that tax practitioners cannot afford to ignore anymore. This course is designed to walk you through tax implications of common cryptocurrency-related transactions (trading, mining, spending, staking, etc.) and how to successfully service clients affiliated with cryptocurrency by using a tool like CoinTracker. This session also covers current developments surrounding this topic and some of the unique tax planning opportunities in the crypto space such as tax loss harvesting without being subject to wash sale rules, tax lot ID optimization (FIFO, LIFO, and HIFO), self-directed IRAs, etc.

As they gain more experience, staff are expected to take on more complex assignments with minimal supervision. The course is designed to be a stepping stone for staff interested in pursuing more advanced partnership and LLC issues than mere preparation, via deeper life-cycle study into critical areas of formation, special allocations of income and deductions, basis calculations and implications of recourse and nonrecourse debt, basis step-up under 754 on transfer of an ownership interest, distributions, self-employment tax issues, and termination/liquidation of the LLC. With the right blend of legal and tax ramifications of LLC-specific issues, this course identifies all the major areas that are potential sources of increased complexity.