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- 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.
READ MOREAround the Tax World- September 7, 2022
World NEWS - The IRS accidentally made private data publicly accessible for about 120,000 taxpayers...
U.S. NEWS - President Biden’s student loan relief could be taxed in certain states...
STATE NEWS - Idaho approves one-time tax rebates and introduces a new flat tax rate...
TAX PLANNING - Eco-conscious consumers could qualify for over $10,000 in tax credits and rebates under the Inflation Reduction Act...
Around the Tax World- August 25, 2022
World NEWS - The CFO of the Trump Organization confesses to unlawfully taking over $1.7 million in untaxed benefits...
U.S. NEWS - President Biden signs the $430 billion Inflation Reduction Act along with its provision for a corporate minimum tax...
STATE NEWS - Indiana residents are anticipating Automatic Taxpayer Refund checks...
TAX PLANNING - Taxpayers who earn more than $10 in interest from a savings account are required to pay income tax—with a few exceptions...
Around the Tax World- August 8, 2022
World NEWS - Pop singer Shakira could face up to eight years in prison for tax fraud...
U.S. NEWS - Democrats’ new economic package receives pushback from Senator Kyrsten Sinema, blocking the latest set of federal tax proposals...
STATE NEWS - Colorado taxpayers will start seeing rebate checks this month…
TAX PLANNING - State taxes on digital goods are becoming increasingly common, requiring advance planning for companies...
Around the Tax World- July 27, 2022
World NEWS - A proposed levy on Disneyland tickets fails to move ahead...
U.S. NEWS - Debate brews over Democratic lawmakers’ proposal for the IRS to launch a free tax filing service...
STATE NEWS - A watchdog group in Utah is speaking out about the use of the state’s surplus revenue...
TAX PLANNING - For higher-income taxpayers, Social Security taxes could increase due to the rising wage ceiling...
Around the Tax World- June 29, 2022
World NEWS - New IRS voice bots can assist callers with setting up or changing payment plans...
U.S. NEWS - President Biden calls on Congress to establish a national gas tax holiday...
STATE NEWS - Virginia finalizes a two-year budget with $4 billion in tax cuts...
TAX PLANNING - The IRS announces that the end is in sight for backlogged 2021 tax returns...
Around the Tax World- June 8, 2022
World NEWS - The tax fraud investigation surrounding the Trump Organization continues...
U.S. NEWS - States’ attempt to provide relief to taxpayers may be contributing to rising inflation...
STATE NEWS - Virginia votes to adjust its budget plan to include $4 billion in tax relief...
TAX PLANNING - Using cryptocurrency as compensation raises tax issues for employees and employers alike...
Around the Tax World- May 27, 2022
World NEWS - The global minimum tax deal struggles to move toward implementation...
U.S. NEWS - US technology and innovation sectors may see tax breaks in new bill aimed at reducing reliance on China...
STATE NEWS - Minnesota legislators plan to eliminate state taxes on Social Security income...
TAX PLANNING - The IRS is expected to pay interest to taxpayers with delayed tax refunds...
NOT A MEMBER YET?
SUBSCRIBE TO GET ALL OF OUR
GREAT ARTICLES AND RESOURCES!
CURRENT EDITION
The Ultimate Business Upgrade: Turning Your Partnership into an S Corp Without the Tax Bite
Looking to cut down on self-employment taxes on your partnership income? Converting your partnership into an S corporation might be the answer. If you currently run your business as a partnership or an LLC taxed as a partnership, you’re probably familiar with the sting of self-employment taxes. Unlike shareholder-employees of an S corporation, who only pay Social Security and Medicare taxes on their salaries, partners typically get hit with self-employment taxes on their entire share of the business’s net income. That can add up fast. By transitioning to an S corporation, you can restructure how you take your income—splitting it between salary and profit distributions. The big advantage? Those profit distributions are not subject to self-employment tax, potentially saving you thousands each year. So, if reducing your tax burden sounds appealing, let’s break down how a tax-free Section 351 incorporation works and what you need to know before making the move.
IRS and DOJ Enforcement Against Tax Professionals: Trends, Cases, and Lessons
In recent years, the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) division and the Department of Justice (DOJ) have aggressively pursued tax professionals involved in fraud or other tax-related crimes. Certified tax planners, preparers, accountants, and attorneys who engage in misconduct are facing serious legal consequences. This article reviews notable prosecutions from roughly the past five years, highlighting enforcement trends and the types of fraud authorities have targeted. We then distill 10 key lessons from these cases – each supported by real-world examples and case citations – demonstrating how broad enforcement has impacted tax professionals. Finally, we conclude with a comprehensive list of dos and don’ts to help tax practitioners stay on the right side of the law and avoid the pitfalls that landed others in trouble.
How to Overcome the Fear of Delivering Bad News to Clients
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.