Our Insights

A guide to payroll taxes and a helpful checklist for employers.

The Tax Institute proudly presents TAX in the News, your source for tax law updates, court cases, and news for tax practitioners.

The de minimis safe harbor election allows businesses to expense items which are usually depreciated.

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 changed partnership audit procedures in several ways.

“Reasonable” doesn’t always mean what you think it means

Employees should weigh the pros and cons of self-employment under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which made favorable tax changes for businesses.

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made several changes to the net operating loss deduction

The TCJA suspended personal casualty and theft losses, except in federally declared disaster areas

New rules that call for expiration, deactivation and renewal of ITINs impact millions of taxpayers

Not all states have decided how they’ll treat K-12 distributions from education savings plans after tax reform changed federal rules

Many people wait until “full retirement age” or later to start getting Social Security benefits. Here are some points to consider – Social Security, health benefits, taxes – to help with their decision-making.

Most of these creative arguments are dispelled by a single IRS publication you may not know existed

How carried interest works -- and the rules before and after the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

Deducting losses for horse-related activities can be a divisive topic

Many Puerto Ricans were temporarily or permanently displaced by the natural disaster. Here are the tax implications.

Taxpayers should never use withheld payroll taxes for other reasons. Here’s why.

Owners of artwork should be prepared to prove the value of their pieces before reporting sales and other transfers on their tax returns

The personal representative must make determinations and take action on assets before terminating the estate

Some investment experts say an HSA can help supplement retirement income, too

Follow four rules to make sure that taxable gains are deferred

What it is, who can get it, and an overview of the rules

Tax pros can help clients make changes before the end of the year to avoid underwithholding and underpayment penalties

Workers who temporarily live in the U.S. will owe U.S. taxes when they transfer their retirement funds between foreign and domestic plans

A look at David Bowie and Prince -- and the lessons we can all learn about estate planning

Retailers that sell in multiple states will need to stay up to date on developments

The spouse who doesn’t owe a debt may be able to claim his or her share of the tax refund with a request to the IRS

The choice of business entity is not a ‘set it and forget it’ proposition

Tax filing requirements continue after a taxpayer’s death, and it’s the personal representative’s job to make sure those requirements are met.

Considerations for individuals with different sources of retirement income

Making sense of the U.S. Tax Code can be a challenge without a full understanding of these resources

Tax Court decisions help taxpayers and tax professionals shed light on complicated issues

The government takes refunds to collect five types of debt. Here’s how it happens.

Taxpayers who were previously excluded from the credit because of their living situations may now be able to claim it

Taxpayers get immediate tax deductions for giving cash or property to charities

Owners don’t always understand what happens when they make employees into partners

Completing a return for a “minister of the gospel” can be a mess of biblical proportions without a full understanding of how these special taxpayers are treated

States are getting creative in the fight against SIRF

It doesn’t take advanced tax planning to combine commonly available tax savings to reduce effective tax rates

A special method allows early access to funds, but it comes with tight restrictions

The personal representative should identify the deceased person’s assets and notify payers

Multistate and international tax rules could apply to movers and shakers in the gig economy

Get a basic understanding of publicly traded partnerships, and how to spot and plan for potential tax traps

How the IRS taxes three types of damage awards, and how to proactively mitigate the tax consequences

Taxpayers can receive combinations of A, B, and C versions of the form. Here are some common scenarios.

More tax responsibilities and potentially … more IRS problems

Defining a rental for tax purposes can be difficult – potentially involving rules for small business, vacation homes, and passive activity losses

Here’s what we know and what we don’t know about business mileage deductions for drivers using ride-sharing apps

Families should understand the pros and cons of tax-exempt Medicaid waiver payments, itemized medical expense deductions, and the dependent care credit

CAAs can attest to taxpayers’ documents and identities, help navigate the application process, and address any IRS issues resulting from the application

People who owe between $50,000 and $100,000 will find it easier to get into a payment plan

The difference matters, because the tax bill can be substantial. Here are the nine factors the IRS uses to determine whether a business is really a hobby.

Seven things taxpayers and their advisors need to know about the upcoming IRS program

People who make money on Pokemon Go! or other virtual games might catch a tax bill with the IRS

It’s important to consider federal and state tax implications on payments that could stretch well into the future

Learn what happens when taxpayers don’t receive their tax identification numbers quickly, or when they switch to an SSN

Benefits for individual Native Americans are taxable, but some specific and fairly common exclusions can apply

Most of the time, employees will need to adjust their reported basis to avoid being taxed twice

Servicemembers and their spouses may owe taxes in one state, multiple states, or no states at all. Avoid common points of confusion by knowing the basic rules.

A mid-year review can reveal countless opportunities for all types of taxpayers and their advisors to plan ahead for next year

There are essential tax rules that covered expatriates and their advisors need to know to stay in compliance before, during, and after an individual exits the U.S.

Tax breaks, special financing, and private-sector programs can help individuals and businesses make the switch

Determining tax treatment for annuities doesn’t have to be a mystery. Here’s a guide.

A cautionary tale about how one taxpayer was – and wasn’t – following all the rules

There are three “catches.” They involve timing, qualifying, and post-filing activity.

Taxpayers can avoid phone scams by knowing how the IRS really works

With Stolen Identity Refund Fraud on the rise, states are taking new approaches to help taxpayers stay ahead of the break or recover from a refund wipeout

Part 2 of this series explains two forms that are entering onto the scene for the first time in the 2016 tax-filing season

Part 1 of this series outlines why the Form 1095-A is important for many taxpayers

While the IRS has discretion to audit taxpayer returns for the same issues on subsequent years, taxpayers can invoke an IRS policy to try to suspend the repetition

Prevention is best – but taxpayers can take specific steps when inherited assets cause more problems than they’re worth

Some – but not all -- nations are signing special agreements to solve this problem

Taxpayers and their advisors should closely examine how multiple layers of international tax law and new U.S. requirements could affect taxpayers’ investments and tax liabilities

A 1986 law meant to curb tax avoidance by wealthy parents can cause unintended consequences for college students (and their parents) who don’t know the rules

In light of new law that will eliminate two popular strategies, married couples retiring in the future need to rethink how to maximize payouts

Despite lack of IRS guidance in this emerging area, taxpayers and their advisors should be aware that different tax rules apply to various types of income and donations made through online fundraising

Individuals who are auctioning or leasing parking spaces should look into the tax implications

Employees with restricted stock should evaluate the company’s outlook – and consult with an experienced tax advisor when deciding on the right tax treatment

Self-employed taxpayers should run the numbers both ways on how to calculate this popular deduction

What a father’s stock portfolio, an aunt’s house, and a mother’s antique collection can teach us about family property transfers

Despite the attractive tax breaks, taxpayers and their advisors should understand three common scenarios that can reduce or negate any benefit

Potential tax consequences, heavy recordkeeping, and complications with other government benefits could surprise some families if they’re not prepared

When selecting a retirement plan to offer employees, employers and their tax advisors should consider the business’s goals, finances, employees – and the tax implications