If you build a mini business empire and it subsequently fails, a small consolation prize might be a net operating loss carryover that will shelter some or all of your more modest income for many years. Of course NOLs are only one among many carryovers that need tracking. In my experience the tracking often leaves much to be desired. Changes in tax preparers or even software can result in the loss of valuable carryovers. But that is not the worst of it...

The first rule of good writing is “Know your audience.” I would argue that this rule applies to your tax practice as well. Tax professionals, it's time to find your audience. If you want to be the best tax professional you can be, while preserving your physical and mental health, take a moment (or several) to define your ideal client. Your ideal client is your audience. Deciding which clients you want to work with will serve you well during tax season and beyond...

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-169; 8/16/22) could easily have been named the Energy Incentives Act of 2022. Over 20 provisions in the Act provide tax credits or special deductions to encourage the production and use of clean energy. The cost of these energy provisions over ten years is about $271 billion. In contrast, the ten-year revenue projection for the corporate AMT and one percent excise tax on certain stock buybacks is about $296 billion. Most of the energy credits are for businesses and are specialized such as for the production of clean hydrogen or sustainable aviation fuel or zero-emission nuclear power production. Four credits are designed for individuals including three revised credits and one entirely new one (§25E, Previously-owned clean vehicle credit). This article highlights key aspects of the credits and special energy provisions as a whole, offers tips for dealing with the complexities that exist in these IRA 2022 rules, and provides suggestions to help individuals obtain the greatest tax savings from the new and revised energy credits and rebates. A few charts are included to aid in understanding these credits.

I recently wrote a sort of case study to illustrate the economics of RV tourism . I thought that my fellow tax pros might appreciate a little more analysis of the numbers. I also have some observations on working out of an RV, because I wasn’t actually entirely retired...

Those of us who are parents of Gen Z children know it’s “no cap ” that we have no clue what our children get up to on the internet. My son, for example, makes a lot of YouTube videos of our cat for some reason. Thankfully, he hasn’t monetized his videos (yet!), so they don’t carry any tax consequences. However, many taxpayers are finding out that their dependents have spent their time in the metaverse, defi gaming, or nfts, and as a result have engaged in dozens to thousands of taxable transactions without even being aware it. Those transactions may also trigger the “Tax on a Child's Investment and Other Unearned Income,” also known as the “Kiddie Tax.” Read on to learn more...

I'm new here, but I know enough not to try to do what everyone else does. I won't try to cover the wider tax picture. I cover United States Tax Court on my blog, so here's a brief round-up on what went on in Tax Court during the last month that I think is of interest to the tax planner and practitioner...

Join nationally recognized speaker and educator Matt Metras, EA, as he guides you through the ins and outs of mining, staking, forks, airdrops, DeFi swaps, yield farming, liquidity pools, NFTs, and more. With little guidance in these areas, you'll learn how to apply existing code sections to cryptocurrency situations, with a focus on finding tax-saving opportunities. We'll also cover how to extract transactions from the blockchain and introduce you to a number of helpful tools. This two-hour course is packed with valuable information, but it’s more than just information - we're also offering continuing education credits to qualifying attendees, courtesy of the American Institute of Certified Tax Planners.

As a financial expert, I know that 2022 has been a roller coaster year for investors. With only days left in the year, the Dow is down and the S&P 500 is down . On the high-risk crypto side, Bitcoin has fallen 64 percent and former Top 10 coin Solana has fallen more than 92 percent thanks to Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX. While the markets may be down, taxpayers can still come out ahead through careful tax planning. By taking the time to assess your financial situation and make strategic decisions, you can minimize their tax burden and potentially save money. It's important to consult with a tax planning professional to ensure that you’re taking advantage of all available tax savings opportunities. Here are a few of the things to do before the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve.