Avoid the IRS Maze When Representing Clients: Know How the IRS Works and What to Do When Representing Clients

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Avoid the IRS Maze When Representing Clients: Know How the IRS Works

and What to Do When Representing Clients

Course Description & Objective

This course looks at the organization of the IRS, including the IRS divisions involved with collection, the collections process, and types of penalties.

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:

 Discuss the roles of the four IRS divisions involved with collection: Small Business/Self-Employed, Appeals, Office of Chief Counsel, and Taxpayer Advocate

 Outline the tax collection process

 Discuss how taxpayers end up in collection

 Name reasons for the increase in the number of tax collection cases over the past several years  Identify when the IRS will create a Substitute for Return

 State the IRS’s reasons for administering penalties

Federal Tax Law Hours: 3 CPE: 3

Level: Basic

Field of Study: Taxes Advanced Prep: None Prerequisites: None

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Why the Audit Isn't Over 'til It’s Over: Audit Reconsideration and

Doubt-as-to-Liability Offers

This course discusses the types of IRS examinations, the IRS examination process, and practice pointers for practitioners who are dealing with exams.

 Outline the three types of IRS examinations: correspondence exams, office exams, and field exams  Identify how the IRS selects returns

 Discuss the examination process

 List strategies for preparing for IRS examinations  Name methods for challenging assessed taxes

 Identify when a request for audit reconsideration can be filed

Level: Basic

Field of Study: Taxes Format: Online self study Prerequisites: None

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Beat the Odds: Get Your Offer in Compromise Accepted

This course outlines the offer in compromise process, including strategies available to maximize the offer’s chance of acceptance by the IRS.

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:  Define an offer in compromise

 Identify the two types of offers available

 Evaluate who is a viable offer in compromise client

 List IRS changes to offers under the 2012 Fresh Start Initiative  Discuss how the IRS calculates reasonable collection potential (RCP)  Outline strategies available to maximize an offer’s chance of acceptance

Level: Intermediate Field of Study: Taxes Format: Online self study

Prerequisites: Avoid the IRS Maze When Representing Clients: Know How the IRS Works and What to Do When

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Circular 230 Considerations and Other Ethical Issues: Protect Your

Practice with Best Practices

This course discusses ethical issues related to the activities of tax professionals practicing before the IRS. Upon completing this course, you should be able to:

 State the primary duties of the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR)  Define actions the OPR may take against tax preparers

 Discuss when OPR refers tax practitioners  Outline Circular 230 regulations

 Identify potential criminal tax implications for preparers  Name mitigating factors for penalties and discipline

QAS: 1 Level: Basic

Field of Study: Taxes Format: Online self study Prerequisites: None

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Collection Client Success Secrets: What Do Practitioners Need to Know

About Representing Collections Clients, Including Statute of Limitations

Issues

This course will give you the guidance you need to advise collection clients on all the important topics to consider, from recordkeeping and documentation to statutes of limitations and even the best time to file for an offer in compromise.

 List the necessary materials for a consultation with a tax collection client

 Discuss the importance of obtaining a power of attorney, transcripts, and an engagement letter  Inform collection clients of the importance of maintaining tax compliance

 Name the amount of time the IRS has to collect a tax debt

 Identify the events that toll the statute of limitations on collection

Level: Basic

Field of Study: Taxes Format: Online self study Advanced Prep: None Prerequisites: None

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How Innocent Spouse Relief Really Works: Pitfalls and Opportunities

This course discusses innocent spouse and injured spouse relief. It covers the types of relief available and how to make an election.

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:  Summarize the history of innocent spouse relief

 Identify the three types of innocent spouse relief available under IRC §6015  Discuss three important U.S. Tax Court decisions involving innocent spouses  State how to make an innocent spouse relief election

 Define an injured spouse

 Discuss how to seek injured spouse relief

Field of Study: Taxes Topic: Individual Taxation Format: Online self study Publication Date: 7/1/2013 Advanced Prep: None Prerequisites: None

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Installment Agreements that Work for Clients — and Pass IRS Muster

This course discusses strategies for creating installment agreements for taxpayers. It outlines the four types of installments agreements, relevant IRS forms, and factors that can terminate an installment agreement. Upon completing this course, you should be able to:

 Define an installment agreement

 Compare the four types of installment agreements: guaranteed, streamlined, regular, and partial pay  Outline relevant changes made by the IRS 2012 Fresh Start Initiative

 Name the actions that can terminate an installment agreement  Evaluate asset, income, and expense issues related to IRS Form 433  Discuss strategies for creating an installment agreement

Field of Study: Taxes Topic: Individual Taxation Format: Online self study Advanced Prep: None

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Understanding the IRS Financial Guidelines Playbook for Resolving

Collection Issues

Course Description & Objective This two CPE hour course examines the financial guidelines that drive decisions in

IRS collection cases.

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:  Define an installment agreement

 Compare the four types of installment agreements: guaranteed, streamlined, regular, and partial pay  Outline relevant changes made by the IRS 2012 Fresh Start Initiative

 Name the actions that can terminate an installment agreement  Evaluate asset, income, and expense issues related to IRS Form 433  Discuss strategies for creating an installment agreement

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Stop the IRS Juggernaut with Strategic Bankruptcy Filings: Learn When

Bankruptcy Can Be Used to Effectively Resolve Tax Problems

This course discusses the basics of bankruptcy and when it may be the appropriate vehicle for helping clients to resolve their tax issues.

 Compare and contrast three types of bankruptcy: Chapter 7, Chapter 11, and Chapter 13  Outline the dischargeability criteria for taxes

 State when interest and penalties are discharged  Discuss the impact of a federal tax lien on bankruptcy  Name the advantages of filing for bankruptcy

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The Lifestyle of a Collection Case: A Case Study for Practical Application

This course presents a real-world collection case study. It guides practitioners through each step of a collection case, offering practical advice and strategies for representing collection clients.

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:  Synthesize the facts of a real-world IRS collection case

 Demonstrate understanding of strategies for assisting collection clients  Outline the steps involved in representing clients before the IRS  Identify relevant IRS communications and forms related to collection

QAS: 3

Level: Advanced Field of Study: Taxes Format: Online self study Advanced Prep: None Prerequisites: None

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What to Do When There Are Indications of Fraud: Eggshell Audits and

Criminal Tax Investigations

This one CPE hour course discusses strategies for dealing with eggshell audits and offers advice for avoiding common pitfalls.

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:  Define an eggshell audit

 Outline actions to take when there are indications of fraud  State the goals of an eggshell audit

 Discuss privileges, including attorney-client and attorney-accountant privilege  Define who can be a Kovel accountant

 Name pitfalls the practitioner can face during an eggshell audit

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Stop the Bleeding and Resolve Payroll Tax Liabilities

This course discusses how to help clients deal with payroll tax liabilities. Topics include payroll tax issues, the trust fund recovery penalty, and strategies for assisting clients.

 Define “trust funds” and discuss the trust fund recovery penalty  Identify who is a responsible person for payroll tax purposes  Evaluate what constitutes willfulness according to the IRS  Discuss how the IRS assesses potential responsible persons

 Name strategies that can assist companies and individuals facing payroll tax issues

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Tax Liens: Successfully Discharging and Subordinating Tax Liens

This one CPE hour course provides an overview of federal tax liens and practical advice for discharging and subordinating such liens.

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:  Discuss when a federal tax lien arises

 Identify when and how the IRS files a Notice of Federal Tax Lien

 Name the circumstances under which the IRS will subordinate a federal tax lien  State when a lien discharge is granted

 List the changes made by the IRS 2012 Fresh Start Initiative

QAS: 1

Level: Intermediate Field of Study: Taxes Format: Online self study Advanced Prep: None

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Cases

This one CPE hour course discusses strategies for dealing with eggshell audits and offers advice for avoiding common pitfalls.

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:  Define an eggshell audit

 Outline actions to take when there are indications of fraud  State the goals of an eggshell audit

 Discuss privileges, including attorney-client and attorney-accountant privilege  Define who can be a Kovel accountant

 Name pitfalls the practitioner can face during an eggshell audit

QAS: 1

Publication Date: 7/01/2013 Level: Intermediate

Field of Study: Taxes Format: Online self study Advanced Prep: None

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When Is Litigation the Best Answer — or Not?

This course outlines strategies for tax litigation, including how to choose the correct forum in which to litigate. Upon completing this course, you should be able to:

 Discuss how to draft a tax petition

 Outline strategies for choosing the correct forum in which to litigate

 Compare and contrast the U.S. Tax Court, Federal District Court, and Federal Court of Claims.  Define the taxpayer’s burden of proof in refund cases

 State the impact of tax litigation on collection

QAS: 1

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Make Your Client More Appealing: Effectively Using the Appeals Function

to Resolve Tax Issues

This course discusses IRS tax levies, the steps involved in appealing a tax collection case, and types of collection appeals.

Upon completing this course, you should be able to:  Define a “levy”

 State the circumstances under which an IRS tax levy is issued  Name the notices that must be served before property can be levied  List the types of property that are exempt from levy

 Outline two types of IRS tax levies and when they are used  Identify the steps involved in obtaining a levy release  Discuss how to appeal a collection case

 Outline three type of collection appeals: Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing, equivalent hearing, and Collection Appeals Process (CAP)

QAS: 1

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The Bank Secrecy Act: Why Your Tax Client Might Be Laundering Money

Without Knowing It

This course discusses the Bank Secrecy Act and its reporting requirements, the various types of IRS examiners operating in the field, civil and criminal pitfalls for taxpayers, and the Form 8300 exam.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:  Name the issues surrounding BSA compliance

 Describe how special IRS examiners operate and what they focus on  Identify potential pitfalls that await taxpayers who fail to comply

QAS: 2

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of federal taxation concepts

Foreign Bank Account Reporting: Helping Clients with FBAR Issues

This course provides a practical review of the current Foreign Bank Account Reporting (FBAR) requirements, the voluntary disclosure program, and related issues for practitioners and clients.

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

 Understand the Foreign Bank Account Reporting filing requirements and which taxpayers need to address this issue

 Learn how the FBAR penalty regimes operate

 Describe how the rolling voluntary disclosure program works and which taxpayers should consider the program

 Identify procedures for opting out of the voluntary disclosure program

QAS: 2

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Hobby Losses: IRS Hot Button Issues, Representation Strategies

This course discusses how to handle an IRS exam where there is a question about the losses claimed and whether they constitute a business loss or a suspended hobby loss.

 Discuss how IRS Code Section 183 operates and its impact on a taxpayer's activity  Identify how the IRS determines if the taxpayer's activity is a business or hobby  Describe the appeals and litigation of hobby loss cases

 State the potential pitfalls for practitioners representing married taxpayers in a hobby loss examination

QAS: 2

Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of federal taxation concepts

Marketing IRS Representation Services to Clients and Prospects

This course discusses how to market IRS representation services through a variety of proven techniques, including professional networking, writing articles, enhancing your website, social media, speaking engagements, blogging, and more.

 Describe a multi-pronged plan to develop and grow an IRS representation practice within a firm  Summarize the elements of a good IRS representation marketing campaign

 Name potential referral resources and understand how to network with them  List the characteristics of a successful website

 Identify best practices for blogging

Field of Study: Taxes Format: Online self study Advanced Prep: None