The promoters of Monetized Installment Sales got some bad news from the IRS earlier this month. The IRS released an analysis the Office of Chief Counsel did outlining six, count them six, ways in which the transaction does not work as the promoters claim. The release will not stop the industry in its tracks, but it will probably be a relief to practitioners who have been advising that the technique is flawed.

Lessons Learned from the Tax Court: An Olive Branch in Tax Court
“Everything is deductible until the audit” is an adage frequently repeated in the tax preparation industry. Generally, it’s mentioned tongue-in-cheek, but today’s taxpayer (and her tax pro boyfriend) may have taken it a bit too literally. Additionally, cutting corners may seem like a time-saving strategy in the moment, but the potential to backfire can’t be ignored. In this case, the taxpayer is about to learn things the hard way.


