Category: Tax

Our tax laws allow a deduction for contributions and gifts made to charities. The idea is that the charity is relieving the government of some service or function that the government would have to otherwise have provided. The amount of the charitable contribution deduction can be significant. This benefit has been part of tax planning……

The IRS has a lot of tools available to help it collect unpaid taxes. This includes liens, levies, and even seizing property. Congress added the ability for the IRS to certify passports for those who owe back taxes and have refused to pay. Congress provided a judicial remedy for erroneous certifications. There have not been……

A record number of taxpayers have moved from California to other states, such as Texas. With advance tax planning, this type of move can produce significant tax savings. The savings can be had year after year. This type of move can also help avoid the audit and appeals process in California. This alone is worth……

Our laws have long said that taxpayers are free to structure their legal affairs to minimize their taxes. Congress has even provided very specific provisions to accomplish this. Section 1202 stock is an example. This provision is intended to encourage start-ups to take business risks by rewarding those who are successful by allowing them to……

Since tax returns are a central part of our system of tax administration, one would think that the IRS is an expert at handling tax returns. It isn’t. The IRS often loses tax returns. It often checks returns into its systems and then fails to process the tax returns and cannot locate the actual tax……

The government often has a myriad of remedies available to it. There are common situations in which the government does not have a consistent and thoughtful process for organizing how and when it will pursue the various remedies. This ad hoc method often results in outcomes that are not tailored to achieve the government’s aims……

Successful businesses change over time. We often see this when a business gets ready for the founder or owner to exit the business. The business is often reorganized and maybe even divided up. Various tax strategies come into play to help facilitate the transfer, like the F Reorganization for S corporations. Other plans to minimize……

There are those who make things happen. They are usually the ones doing what it takes even when doing so is difficult, tiring, and draining. They are the ones that often make personal sacrifices and take risks to succeed. They are the ones that had the luck or grit to stick with something to see……

There are a number of tax breaks afforded to those in the military. This includes collection holds on unpaid taxes owed by members of the military to laws that exempt certain income from tax altogether. The exemption from paying tax on military pay for injuries is an example. The recent Valentine v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo.……

In legal disputes, there are times when parties make representations that are not true. That includes the IRS and its auditors and attorneys. If the taxpayer is lucky, they will have direct evidence that shows that the representation is false. There are situations where the law does not allow that evidence to be considered. There……