We’ve all been there. Breaking bad news is one of the hardest parts of being a tax professional. But avoiding these conversations only makes things worse. The good news? There are ways to make this process easier. With the right approach, you can turn these tough conversations into opportunities to build trust, strengthen your reputation, and reinforce your expertise.

Overpaying on taxes puts a damper on anyone’s mood. You should be paying precisely what you owe—no less, and no more. When it comes to selling your real estate, you really don’t have to pay taxes on that sale right away. One way to avoid the taxes is by using a Section 1031 exchange, but you actually have other options. This article will show you how to take advantage of them.

Some new developments arose in March and some new gimmicks. The current hot topics, microcaptive insurers and syndicated conservation easements, remain on the front burner.

With the rising cost of higher education and greater reliance on student loans, taxpayers are looking for every opportunity to ease the financial burden of earning a degree. Fortunately, several higher education tax benefits are available to help offset the high cost of tuition, student loans and other education-related expenses. However, certain eligibility requirements — such as income limits and tax filing status — often trip up taxpayers along the way. Understanding the nuances of these tax benefits for higher education can ensure your clients take full advantage of available tax savings.

Have you ever found an amazing strategy for a new tax prospect that they missed in previous years? Even worse, have you realized that you overlooked a client’s eligibility for a credit when you prepared their tax return? Not only that, but you had them make an unnecessary estimated tax payment. Well, it may not be too late for your client and prospect to take advantage of those credits for the year in question. The fate of your client isn’t sealed after filing their tax return. The IRS gives taxpayers a set amount of time to make a claim for a credit on their return. The IRS calls the date that this time sunsets the Refund Statute Expiration Date.

The Tax Court docket has been inundated with syndicated easement cases. In 2024, the IRS was mostly winning. That trend has continued in 2025. So far there have been three IRS wins. Here they are.

Video content continues to be a strategic and powerful tool for engaging audiences and establishing a brand's authority. According to VideoScribe research, 65% of people prefer visual learning. For Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), leveraging YouTube offers a rare opportunity to educate clients and prospects and entertain and connect. CPAs, accountants, and bookkeepers can address common questions, provide valuable insights, and foster trust by creating educational and informative video content that converts. Herein, I will discuss why YouTube, as a marketing tool, benefits accountants and how you can make various compelling video content to increase your reach and visibility. Let's get to it!

The IRS is ramping up scrutiny of high-net-worth individuals and businesses, increasing audit rates by over 50% for those earning above $10 million. Recent IRS initiatives backed by Inflation Reduction Act funding have intensified enforcement on wealthy taxpayers, large partnerships, real estate investors, and tech businesses. IRS agents are digging deeper during audits and expecting taxpayers to produce more documentation to support every position on their returns. To help clients navigate this environment, certified tax planners must take proactive steps to bolster documentation and audit readiness. Below are ten authoritative strategies, complete with industry examples, IRS policy references, and best practices, to prepare for the increased IRS focus on documentation.