Welcome to THINK OUTSIDE THE TAX BOX, the premier on-line publication for tax reduction information!
Here at TOTTB, we produce in-depth, easy to understand, exhaustively cited, essays on the topic of tax reduction for our subscribers! And, every two weeks, we add more articles and more features like our live webinar events, private Facebook group, downloadable “Client Alerts” and Infographics, features like our blog, Around the Tax World, an aggregator of all the news happening in the tax world!
If you aren’t a subscriber yet, please understand that this blog is a very small part of what we do. If you really want to dig in, SUBSCRIBE! (We offer a 30-day money back guarantee, you have nothing to lose!)

Around the Tax World- May 7, 2026
In The HeadlinesThe S&P 500 stalls as the war in Iran continues and the Federal Reserve meets on interest rates.
What's New In The Tax World?Republican lawmakers look to woo voters with lower capital gains taxes
State-By-State-UpdatesCalifornia’s “billionaire tax” makes it a step closer to the November ballot.
Tax Planning TipsWho can benefit most from the IRS’ free tax withholding tool?
READ MOREAround the Tax World- April 7, 2025
In The HeadlinesInflation rises more than expected in February when it comes to consumer spending.
What's New In The Tax World?The next wave of tariffs hits the auto industry as Trump introduces a 25% levy on imports
State-By-State-UpdatesIowa is looking to increase business development, which could mean both new tax credits and the elimination of old ones.
Tax Planning TipsSenior citizens could still reduce this year’s tax bill with these best practices.
Around the Tax World- March 25, 2025
In The HeadlinesThe stock market leaves investors reeling after a rollercoaster week.
What's New In The Tax World?In the push to renew the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, SALT could cause the stalemate
State-By-State-UpdatesConnecticut lawmakers are weighing a new retail delivery tax.
Tax Planning TipsSenior citizens could still reduce this year’s tax bill with these best practices.
Around the Tax World- March 10, 2025
In The HeadlinesNew leadership, fewer lawsuits—changes are afoot at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
What's New In The Tax World?Will federal budget cuts be enough to offset the revival of TCJA tax cuts?
State-By-State UpdatesFlorida’s governor advocates to axe the state’s property tax.
Tax Planning TipsHCould repealing the clean energy tax credits drive up electricity bills?
Around the Tax World- February 24, 2025
In The HeadlinesCVS Health could be making a revenue comeback in 2024.
What's New In The Tax World?Could $4.5 trillion in tax cuts be coming down the federal pipeline?
State-By-State UpdatesA new Georgia bill could provide taxpayers with another special refund.
Tax Planning TipsHave a home equity loan? Be clear on the tax deductions available to you.
Around the Tax World- February 10, 2025
In The HeadlinesIs DeepSeek the wave of the future of A.I.—or a threat to data security?
What's New In The Tax World?Will Trump’s $4 trillion tax cut plan prevail? Not without progress on reducing the national deficit
State-By-State UpdatesIdaho lawmakers aim to tackle rising property taxes.
Tax Planning TipsAvoid an audit by making sure these important forms are submitted.
Around the Tax World- January 23, 2025
In The Headlines Meta will be cutting 5% of its staff in efforts to raise performance standards.
What's New In The Tax World?What tax changes are Americans most likely to see in the early months of the Trump administration?
State-By-State UpdatesCould Arkansas soon say farewell to its grocery tax?
Tax Planning TipsA new year’s resolution: Stay on top of your taxes in 2025.
Around the Tax World- January 09, 2025
In The Headlines The S&P 500 has its worst performance in over 70 years in the stretch between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
What's New In The Tax World?The newly-minted Department of Government Efficiency may take an axe to the IRS.
State-By-State UpdatesKansas legislators will battle it out over new property tax cuts.
Tax Planning TipsTaxpayers in these nine states will see an income tax reduction starting this year.
Around the Tax World- December 10, 2024
In The Headlines Using A.I. to fight A.I.—Meta plans to use facial recognition to protect users from celebrity-bait scams.
What's New In The Tax World?Inauguration Day may also be new tariffs day as Trump returns to the White House.
State-By-State Updates.California’s governor queues up a tax credit for zero-emission vehicles.
Tax Planning Tips
NOT A MEMBER YET?
SUBSCRIBE TO GET ALL OF OUR
GREAT ARTICLES AND RESOURCES!
CURRENT EDITION

Small Mistakes With Huge Costs for Your Client’s Tax Returns
We’ve all been there. A client walks into your office and, somewhere in the conversation, you realize that a seemingly minor oversight, a missed deadline, a form nobody filed, an election nobody mentioned, has spiraled into a five- or six-figure tax problem. In my years of practice, some of the most expensive mistakes I’ve seen weren’t the result of aggressive planning gone wrong. They were small, quiet errors. The kind that happens when a deadline slips, an election isn’t made, or a form gets overlooked entirely. The tax code is unforgiving in these situations, and the IRS has little sympathy for “I didn’t know.” This article walks through some of the most common, and most costly, small mistakes that can devastate your client’s tax situation, along with practical guidance for avoiding them.

When Debts Go Bad: The Challenges of Deducting Delinquent Debts
It is painful when you finally realize that the money you expected to be repaid is never coming back. The tiny silver lining in that cloud might be the tax benefit of “writing off” the debt. Unfortunately, that silver lining may well be eclipsed by an even bigger cloud. Writing bad debt off is not that easy, and there’s probably no silver lining to that cloud. Ironically, you might find that the mistakes that caused you to be holding a bad debt might be what prevents you from getting a usable deduction.

Building a Partnership the Right Way: Tax Strategies From Day One
Setting up a partnership is a lot like getting married. It’s exciting, full of promise, and if you do it right, it can be incredibly rewarding. Do it wrong, and you’re setting yourself up for years of headaches and potentially significant financial loss. The decisions you make at the formation stage of your partnership will impact your tax situation for years to come, and in some cases, these decisions can be difficult or costly to undo later. In this article, we’ll explore the critical steps in setting up a partnership and the tax implications of various contribution strategies. You’ll learn how to establish a foundation that maximizes tax advantages from day one.
