There are times when I really would like to know the story behind the story. And that is the case with CCA 202352018. The only good thing about not knowing the story behind the story is that I get to make one up. The CCA is about one of the funniest oxymorons in the tax field. It concerns an intentionally defective grantor trust (IDGT). That is serious competition for my favorite tax oxymoron – passive activities. Let’s start out with some background on IDGT. This piece is mainly for the income tax preparers who have to deal with the implications of this fancy planning rather than the fancy planners.
The Wild West of Employee Retention Credits (ERC): Outlaws, Deputies, and Cowboys
Gather ’round, pardners! The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) has been the latest gold rush in the tax frontier, drawing business owners, tax deputies, and even a few sly outlaws. But as the dust settles, the IRS—our law keeping sheriff—is on the hunt for any who might’ve bent the rules. In this frontier of finance, knowing who’s who can keep you out of trouble as the IRS rounds up dubious claims.