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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!
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Around the Tax World- January 27
In The HeadlinesHow will the “sell America” trade impact U.S.-centric investments?
What's New In The Tax World?Has your state resolved to lower individual income taxes in 2026?
State-By-State-UpdatesAlabama cities filed a lawsuit against the internet sales tax—now the legislature is pushing back.
Tax Planning Tips2026 could be the year you reap maximum benefits from homeowner tax deductions
READ MOREAround the Tax World – November 10, 2023
In The Headlines - What do Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian, Rihanna, and Reese Witherspoon have in common?
What's New In The Tax World? - House Republicans propose a $14 billion reduction in the IRS’ budget to fund aid to Israel
State-By-State Updates -Alabama residents will see a little income boost through a round of tax rebates.
Tax Planning Tips - The IRS’ latest mission: hunting down $1 trillion lost to overseas tax havens.
Around the Tax World – October 26, 2023
In The Headlines - Not liking Louis Vuitton’s men’s line this year? Blame Pharrell.
What's New In The Tax World? - A new Supreme Court case questions whether a couple’s $15,000 tax bill is unconstitutional
State-By-State Updates -Californians are getting an extended deadline for federal and state taxes.
Tax Planning Tips - The IRS is piloting its free tax-filing platform in 13 U.S. states.
Around the Tax World – October 9, 2023
In The Headlines - The Hollywood writers strike has ended, but the actors aren't back just yet
What's New In The Tax World? - An IRS contractor has been charged with leaking tax information belonging to Donald Trump and thousands of other wealthy taxpayers.
State-By-State Updates -Arizona cities are encouraging new housing developments by offering major tax breaks.
Tax Planning Tips - Can TikTok be your tax advisor? Tax professionals are warning about the dangers of misinformation on social media.
Around the Tax World – September 26, 2023
In The Headlines - Want to chat with your favorite celebrity? A new startup is introducing celebrity “AI clones” that allow users to engage in simulated dialogue with well-known online personalities.
What's New In The Tax World? - Could the end of the expanded Child Tax Credit be the reason for the recent rise in child poverty?
State-By-State Updates -Maryland ends its fiscal year with leftover cash, the result of a 5% increase in tax revenue.
Tax Planning Tips - Roth IRA conversions can reduce taxes in retirement—but taxpayers need to consider these factors before making the leap.
Around the Tax World – September 7, 2023
In The Headlines -Chef Gordon Ramsay heads to southern Florida to open his two newest
restaurants.
What's New In The Tax World? - The Biden administration puts forth a proposal for...
State-By-State Updates - ● The verdict is still out on whether Colorado’s state tax refunds may be...
Tax Planning Tips - President Biden is racing to implement a 15% corporate tax as opponents rise up to
challenge it.
Around the Tax World – August 29, 2023
In The Headlines -Beyoncé is in the business of helping her fans smell great...
What's New In The Tax World? - Tax code revamps are a key talking point for 2024 presidential candidates
State-By-State Updates - ● A new tax in Jacksonville, Florida would raise funds for homeless and domestic violence victims.
Tax Planning Tips - The new 1% stock buyback tax adds up to $3.5 billion for the largest U.S. companies.
Around the Tax World – August 7 2023
In The Headlines -Joe Biden and Elon Musk exchanged tax policy quips on Twitter.
What's New In The Tax World? - As presidential hopefuls look ahead to 2024, DeSantis focuses on taxes, regulations, and policy toward Chinas
State-By-State Updates - A bill that is set to repeal rental tax in Arizona has yet to see the governor’s desk.
Tax Planning Tips - The rules for inherited IRAs have shifted—and could mean a higher tax bill for you or your beneficiaries.
Around the Tax World – July 25, 2023
In The Headlines -Barbie’s box office debut is expected to rake in as much as $500 million...
What's New In The Tax World? - As universities see an end to affirmative action, they may also see the beginning of higher taxes
State-By-State Updates - As Californians cut back on smoking, early childhood programs may see their funding plummet.
Tax Planning Tips - Over 800,000 student loan borrowers will be eligible for loan forgiveness
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CURRENT EDITION
Tackling Taxes On an Inherited HSA
The Health Savings Account (HSA) is a first line of defense tax strategy. Contributions are deductible and earnings are tax-free if used for qualified medical expenses. There are numerous features to the HSA that secure maximum tax benefits. Structured properly, an HSA can provide serious tax-free money to beneficiaries as well as the account holder. Before we review the implications of inheriting an HSA, let’s review some of the powerful features an HSA has that increases the value of the account.
Kadau v. Commissioner and the Line Between Effective and Broken Captives
Captive insurance remains one of the most closely examined tax planning strategies in use today, not because it is inherently flawed, but because small missteps can carry outsized consequences. Many taxpayers assume that careful formation and proper documentation are enough to protect the intended tax outcome. A recent Tax Court decision, Kadau v. Commissioner, serves as a reminder that those assumptions deserve closer scrutiny. The court’s analysis did not hinge on whether captive insurance can work, but on how a specific arrangement actually functioned in practice. For tax professionals advising clients who rely on micro-captives, the case raises important questions about where structures tend to break down, why some arrangements attract IRS attention while others do not, and what really separates a defensible captive from one that invites challenge.
Not Every Client Is a Keeper: When Saying Goodbye Protects Your Practice
Bad chemistry with one client can disrupt the flow with everyone. That one client who doesn’t follow your processes and messes up the workflow during tax season. The client who never turns things in on time but then wants results from you immediately when they do. These things affect how you interact and work with your other clients as well. As the firm owner we should do whatever we can to protect good chemistry within our business. As a tax advisor the people we work with become our family. We help them make decisions that impact them and their families. That is why firing clients can be a delicate matter when you are doing the firing.
