A new year, a better firm
Practitioners should consider resolutions on security, technology, and client service to prepare for the coming year.
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Practitioners should consider resolutions on security, technology, and client service to prepare for the coming year.
This annual survey shows how CPAs rate the tax preparation software they used during last tax season and how it handled the recent tax law changes.
Firms can "wow" their clients by embracing tech tools that streamline many processes, including creating seamless onboarding, using e-signatures for engagement letters, and automating procedures for filling out annual checklists.
Social media and cloud computing create more challenges for CPAs to protect client information from unauthorized disclosures and to avoid making false or misleading claims about their services — violations that could even be buried in webpage metadata.
Taxpayers can rely on either the proposed or final Sec. 199A regulations for 2018, and CPAs must evaluate which would be most beneficial for each client.
By using the summer to go through the process of reflecting, rebooting, and reengaging, CPAs can find ways to better serve clients, especially with a year of experience in the TCJA’s tax reforms under their belts.
A formal mentoring program can play a key role in the development of future leaders.
Keeping a “scorecard” of the weight of authorities on a particular position can be helpful to determine the objective merits of a tax position.
CPAs can reassure an unsettled client base by confidently providing coherent explanations and advice relating to the many changes brought about by last year’s tax reform legislation.
A well-drafted engagement letter can prevent a misunderstanding with a client over the scope of services from turning into an expensive liability claim.
CPAs can advise clients about several IRS programs for paying past-due taxes.
When CPAs are asked to provide comfort letters, they must be clear about facts they are affirming, giving careful consideration to client confidentiality and other liabilities that could arise from a lender’s reliance on those facts.
To get through the rigors of tax season, CPAs depend on their tax preparation software. Here’s how they rate the leading professional products.
CPAs can protect tax advice to clients from disclosure by understanding the scope of the Sec. 7525 practitioner-client privilege, when it applies, and what actions can cause a waiver of this key protection.
This column discusses reasons for delayed refunds and actions practitioners can take when a client is experiencing a delay.
The IRS urged small businesses to be wary of a growing amount of identity theft attempts aimed at employers and small businesses in general, and partnerships and trusts and estates.
Create and retain an all-star staff by selling the firm as a gateway to future success and providing development opportunities.
A TPQC document plays a key role in helping a firm comply with relevant ethical requirements and promote an efficient and effective tax practice.
The IRS has answered some concerns about taxpayers’ electronic accounting records.
Publicly traded partnerships can present challenges for reporting.
TAX REFORM
Traps for the unwary: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changes
By now many of us are familiar with the various provisions of the law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), P.L. 115-97. Here is a list of changes together with (perhaps) unexpected nuances.
DEDUCTIONS
Qualified business income deduction regs. and other guidance issued
The package includes final regulations, guidance on how to calculate W-2 wages, a safe-harbor rule for rental real estate businesses, and new proposed rules on the treatment of previously suspended losses.