This appendix discusses various recent and landmark decisions affecting the law of conservation easements. It accompanies the article “The Changing Landscape of Conservation Easements.”
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Individuals
The Changing Landscape of Conservation Easements
Conservation easements are some of the most effective tools available to ensure permanent conservation of privately held land in the United States. This article discusses federal income tax benefits from the creation of conservation easements.
Required Minimum Distribution Alternatives for IRA Beneficiaries
This article discusses the distribution options available to IRA beneficiaries, with an emphasis on opportunities to control the timing of the distribution period and actions that must be taken on a timely basis to achieve the desired outcome.
Making Gifts to Minors
This column discusses the advantages and disadvantages of gifting under the Uniform Gifts to Minors Act or the Uniform Transfers to Minors Act and in what kinds of situations each should be used.
Medical Residents Subject to FICA
The Supreme Court held that individuals in medical residency programs at teaching hospitals are subject to FICA on the stipends they receive for the work they perform while participating in the medical residency programs.
Deadline for Equitable Innocent Spouse Claims Again Upheld
The Third Circuit held that the two-year deadline in Regs. Sec. 1.6015-5(b)(1) for filing an equitable innocent spouse relief claim under Sec. 6015(f) is valid because it is a permissible interpretation of the statute.
2011 Automobile Depreciation Limits Released
The IRS issued the 2011 inflation adjustments to the depreciation limitations and lease inclusion amounts for certain automobiles under Sec. 280F.
President Proposes 3-Year AMT Patch, Partial Relief on 1099s, Crackdown on Misclassification
President Barack Obama released his proposed budget for fiscal 2012, containing several tax proposals.
IRS Will Allow Costs of Breast Pumps as Deductible Medical Expenses
The IRS announced it will treat expenses for breast pumps and supplies that assist in lactation as deductible medical expenses.
Overstatement of Basis Is Not Omission from Gross Income, Appeals Court Rules
A federal appeals court has handed the IRS another defeat on the issue of whether an overstatement of basis amounts to an omission from gross income for purposes of invoking the longer, six-year limitation period for assessing tax under Sec. 6501(e).
Another Circuit Says Overstatement of Basis Is Not an Omission from Gross Income
The ongoing controversy over whether a taxpayer’s overstatement of basis triggers a six-year statute of limitation period continues as the Fourth Circuit has held that the extended period does not apply.
IRS Announces Second Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program
The IRS announced that it is starting a new program designed to bring money held in foreign accounts back into the U.S. tax system and to help taxpayers with income from offshore accounts to comply with federal tax law.
Final Regs Issued on Treating Musical Works as Capital Assets
The IRS issued final regulations governing how to elect to treat the sale or exchange of a musical work or copyright in a musical work as a sale or exchange of a capital asset.
Foreign Housing Expense Limitations for 2011 Released
The IRS has provided the inflation-adjusted limitations on foreign housing expenses for 2011.
Sale Versus Loan: A Current Development in Tax Ownership?
The characterization of a transaction as a sale has significant tax implications. The Calloway case rules on if and when a taxpayer sold his stock upon entering into an agreement, which purported to be a nonrecourse loan. This item summarizes the facts and holding in Calloway and the differences among the judges’ opinions.
IRS Releases 2011 Standard Mileage Rates
The IRS released the standard mileage rates for use in 2011. Taxpayers can use the optional standard mileage rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile.
Health Care Insurance Mandate Held Unconstitutional
A federal district court has held that the health care reform legislation’s mandate that individuals obtain health insurance is unconstitutional. In so holding, however, the court severed that mandate from the rest of the health care reform legislation and refused to enjoin enforcement, pending appeal of the case.
Learning Tax with Flowcharts
This column provides instructors with step-by-step instructions to minimize their start-up time when assigning flowchart construction to their students.
No Deduction for House Donated to Fire Department
This item discusses the determination of the amount of the charitable deduction for the donation of a house to a fire department that intends to use the house for training exercises—including burning it to the ground.
Treasury Introduces Prepaid Debit Cards for Tax Refunds
The Treasury Department announced a pilot program of prepaid debit cards to allow taxpayers without bank accounts to receive their tax refunds more quickly.
INDIVIDUALS
Current Developments in Taxation of Individuals: Part 1
This update surveys recent federal tax developments involving individuals, including court cases, rulings, and guidance issued during the six months ending October 2025.
