Guest Article Archives - Page 2 of 38 - Think Outside the Tax Box

Guest Article

By Caitlin See, MPA

How to Help Your Clients Maximize College Financial Aid

College tuition continues to climb, and for many families, financial aid can make or break their ability to afford their child’s higher education dreams. What most don’t realize is that their tax return — filed long before students even begin applying for college — plays a major role in determining how much financial aid they’ll receive. This is where you come in. Tax professionals and financial planners are uniquely positioned to help clients qualify for more college financial aid. But only if you know what to look for.

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TAX COURT ROUNDUP – April 2025

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.

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Don’t Forget About the Refund Statute Expiration Date

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.

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Client Alert

Syndicated Conservation Easement Promoters Continue to Lose In Tax Court

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.

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YouTube Content Strategy for CPAs: Educating and Engaging Audiences through Video Content

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!

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Best Practices for Surviving (and Helping Your Client Survive) an IRS Audit

Few things strike fear in our clients’ hearts more than an IRS notice, especially one that says a client's tax return is being examined or audited. While this must be dealt with on a timely basis, it is not a reason for you, the tax professional, or the client to panic. Here, I’ll discuss a range of best practices to ensure the success of your client’s case, plus what to do when things go awry.

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If You Have an IRS Audit Coming Up, Make Sure You Have the Tax Law on Your Side

When you have to go toe-to-toe with the IRS, make sure you keep the fight clean. The only way to succeed when arguing your case with an auditor is to follow the IRS’s own procedures. And, the primary way to do that is—you guessed it—keeping proper documentation. With this article, you’ll better understand where tax authority is derived, what rules the IRS must stick to, and what rules the IRS accepts.

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A Tax-Season “Cheat Sheet” to Avoid Getting Cheated

Scams lurk around every corner year-round, but tax time is when they seem to flourish. The crooks that come out to swipe cash, credit card info, Social Security numbers and other personal details are nothing if not innovative, always ready to use any tech advancement, disaster headline or snake-oil sales tactic to worm their way into people’s wallets. Part of your role these days as a financial pro is to help protect clients against these cons. Here’s the latest to know.

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Client Alert

TAX COURT ROUNDUP – March 2025

February brings us Groundhog Day, but there are always new developments in Tax Court, as well as refreshers to keep practitioners current.

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