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Ethical Considerations in Reporting Use Taxes on State Income Tax Returns

As more states allow residents to report a liability for state use taxes on their individual income tax returns, practitioners will have to explain to clients their obligations in reporting use tax liability and address the professional standards for reporting use tax on a state income tax return.

Impact of Millennials on CPA Firms

As members of the Millennial generation continue to enter the workforce, CPA firms will increasingly need to focus on how to successfully attract, motivate, develop, and retain these individuals.

2010–2011 Revisions to Circular 230

This article focuses primarily on the Circular 230 tax preparer penalties and other sanctions as well as the regulations governing practice before the IRS that were revised by T.D. 9527.

Appreciation of Client Family Dynamics: A Case Study

Much of a CPA’s job involves dealing with family dynamics, and often this requires skills related more to understanding and communication than technical expertise. Three useful points should be used to improve practice management when families are involved.

Conflicts of Interest: IRS Rules Differ from AICPA Professional Standards

Circular 230 forbids federal tax practitioners from having conflicts of interest, defined as representation of one client that is directly adverse to that of another client, or representing a client in circumstances creating a significant risk that the representation of one or more clients will be materially limited by the practitioner’s responsibilities to another client, a former client, or a third person or by a personal interest of the practitioner.

2011 Tax Research Service Survey

Thousands of readers responded to the annual tax software survey, and for the first time this year they revealed what they like and dislike about their tax research services.

2011 Tax Software Survey

This article presents results from the 2011 tax software survey. More than 10,000 CPAs assessed tax prepartion products and provided detailed information about what they liked and disliked about their tax software.

Building Value Through Sustainability

The authors describe a company that formed a sustainability committee in 2008 to monitor the various initiatives taking place around five pillars identified as important to the firm: people, clients, community, profession, and environment.

Tax Practice Responsibilities

This new quarterly column addresses the tax practice responsibilities part of CPA tax professionals’ practice and provides information that will enable practitioners to become better informed about and meet their legal, regulatory, and ethical responsibilities as professionals.

The AICPA Website: A Wonderful Tool for Practitioners

This column examines changes in the AICPA website and reviews many of the site’s features, including access to the latest information on hot topics, legislative initiatives, tax-saving techniques, and updates on the ever-widening range of issues, perils, pitfalls, and opportunities facing the profession.

Record Retention Policies: How Long Is Long Enough?

In advising clients on retention policies, the concern is often with keeping records too long, and because of the cost and logistical issues related to record retention, many taxpayers want to destroy outdated records as soon as possible. However, holding onto records can be beneficial, as illustrated by a recent case.

Do We Really Have Privilege?

This item discusses the limits of the privilege for communications between a tax practitioner and client under Sec. 7525.

Tax Return Due Diligence: Basic Considerations

This article examines the rules of due diligence and the importance of tax professionals understanding these rules and proactively adapting to them in a practical manner.

CPA Conflicts of Interest

Avoiding conflicts of interest requires CPAs to aggressively identify potential conflicts and take appropriate remedial action.

2010 Tax Software Survey

The Tax Adviser and the Journal of Accountancy conducted a survey of AICPA members who prepared 2009 tax returns for a fee to determine which tax preparation software products were the most popular, what aspects of those products preparers liked, and what they disliked.