Garret Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FITP, Author at Think Outside the Tax Box

AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Garret Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FITP

GARRETT WASNY, MA, CMC, CITP/FITP, is an artificial intelligence (AI) skills advisor to accountants and tax professionals worldwide. He is a former award-winning management consultant with Price Waterhouse. His current roles include webinar producer, AI app developer, Internet speaker, author, professional development leader, and AI image artist. He's published 50+ ebooks on accounting technology and ethics, written hundreds of articles and columns on Internet strategy, and delivered thousands of seminars and webinars to CPAs and accounting organizations in more than 40 countries. His on-demand courses on ChatGPT and generative AI are best sellers on Learn Formula, CPA Crossings, CPE Credit and other leading online learning marketplaces for accountants. He is based in Vancouver, Canada.

READ MORE BY Garret Wasny, MA, CMC, CITP/FITP

Striking a Balance: Pitching to the Umpires of Tax Law – Understanding US Tax Court Judges through the Art of Baseball Analogies

In this fascinatingly original article, we explore the striking parallels between America’s pastime and the high-stakes world of tax litigation. Prepare to be surprised as we reveal the hidden connections between the umpires of the diamond and the judges of the Tax Court. From the precise strike zones of regular judges to the veteran expertise of senior judges, and the specialized skills of special trial judges, you’ll gain a newfound appreciation for the officials who keep the game of tax law fair and balanced.

Read More

Revolutionizing Client Engagement: The Shift from EPTI to PAVER in Tax Reporting with Generative AI

Are you seeking innovative strategies to elevate your client reporting processes? Wondering how to transition from traditional methods to more engaging and personalized interactions? The emergence of generative AI has instigated a profound transformation in the domain of client communication for tax planners, shifting from the conventional Email, PDF, Telephone, In-person (EPTI) reporting techniques to a more advanced PAVER framework. Read on to find out more!

Read More

Navigating the Plagiarism Minefield: Strategies and Solutions for Certified Tax Planners

In the AI era, especially with tools like GPT, plagiarism isn’t just copying another’s work, but also presenting AI-generated content as one’s unique thought without understanding or modifying its output. It’s about intent and attribution. If someone blindly takes an AI’s output and presents it as their own, especially in professional or academic settings, it can be considered a form of plagiarism. For certified tax planners, understanding and addressing this nuanced form of plagiarism is crucial for maintaining professional integrity and credibility.

Read More

How Tax Professionals Can Navigate Complex Financial and HR Conversations Using AI: The ChatGPT C.A.R.E. Method

In the intricate world of accounting, tax professionals are often perceived as navigators traversing through the seas of numbers and financial statements. A lesser-discussed aspect of their role is the management of complex and emotionally charged conversations. Tax accountants frequently find themselves at the center of discussions that are not just about figures on a spreadsheet but deeply intertwined with the personal and business well-being of their clients. From addressing audit discrepancies to handling sensitive tax liabilities, these scenarios demand more than just technical know-how; they require a blend of empathy, clear communication, and emotional intelligence.

Read More

Harnessing ChatGPT with “BEST WILD”

In the realm of tax research, the journey from traditional methods to the digital age has been transformative. The evolution of AI in this field marks a significant milestone, reshaping how tax professionals approach complex regulations and compliance. This journey began with simple tax software, gradually advancing to more sophisticated AI tools capable of analyzing large datasets and identifying patterns beyond human capability. Today, we stand at a pivotal moment where AI, particularly ChatGPT, is not just an aid but a game-changer in tax research.

Enter “BEST WILD”, a revolutionary technique designed specifically for this new era. By integrating the advanced capabilities of ChatGPT, “BEST WILD” offers a systematic approach that transcends traditional boundaries in tax law analysis. This method doesn’t just aid in navigating the complexities of tax regulations; it revolutionizes the process, making it more efficient, accurate, and insightful.

Read More

A ChatGPT Plus User’s Guide to Effortlessly Creating Custom GPT Apps with GPT Builder

In an astonishing breakthrough that’s flipping the tax world on its head, certified tax planners now have the power to craft their very own AI-powered tax genie, thanks to the revolutionary GPT Builder. Gone are the days of sifting through stacks of tax codes and legislation. With a few clicks and a sprinkle of AI magic, these financial wizards are conjuring up custom tax strategies that promise to save fortunes. Dive into the future of tax planning where technology meets savvy to create the ultimate tax-saving ally. This isn’t just a game changer; it’s a wealth transformation phenomenon!

Read More

10 Ways CTPs Can Use the New Adobe AI Assistant to Analyze PDFs

Launched as a beta in February 2024, the Adobe AI Assistant is a generative AI-powered conversational engine feature within Adobe Acrobat. The app enables you to “chat” with PDF files in natural language and unlock new levels of document productivity.

The AI Assistant can be likened to a knowledgeable librarian for digital documents. Just as a librarian assists you in finding the right books, navigating through complex archives, and answering detailed inquiries about content, the AI Assistant helps users navigate, understand, and extract key information from PDF documents. It provides summaries, clarifies content through answers and suggestions, and links to relevant sections, all designed to make your interaction with digital documents as enriching and efficient as a visit to a well-staffed library.

Read More

10 New AI Search Tools and Strategies CTPs Can Use as Google Alternatives in Their Tax Research

The rise of chatbots and AI assistants has blurred the lines between traditional search engines and conversational AI. Tools like ChatGPT and its latest iteration, GPT-4o, are reshaping how Certified Tax Planners (CTPs) search for tax information. A new and fragmented multi-search universe has emerged that offers CTPs a broader array of tools tailored to their specific needs for due diligence. Let’s take a look at 10 new AI search tools that can maximize your efficiency today!

Read More

CURRENT EDITION

IRC Section 121 Exclusion: Nuances That Make a Big Difference

With the sale of a client’s primary residence, many tax professionals are familiar with the Section 121 exclusion, which allows taxpayers to exclude up to $500,000 ($250,000 for single – $500,000 for married filing jointly) on capital gains for the sale. Often, the only criteria mentioned is that the taxpayer must have owned and occupied the home for two of the most recent five years. However, this barely scratches the surface of Section 121; there’s much more money-saving potential in this portion of the tax code.

Exploring the Final 1099-DA (Digital Asset) Regulations

One of the IRS’ favorite ways to entertain itself is to release new and important guidance at 5 pm on a Friday. They self-award bonus points if it is the Friday before a holiday. They hit “publish” and immediately shut down the office before anyone can react. When it comes to digital asset guidance, I speculate they also have access to my vacation calendar to release it at the most inconvenient time possible. Last summer, they released the temporary regulations on 1099 crypto reporting while I was on vacation in South Africa. This year, at 4:45 pm on the Friday before the 4th of July, they released the final regulations. I then had to spend the rest of the summer dodging my editors at TOTTB because this article was really harshing on my vacation plans.

Advising Clients About Prenups

To have and to hold and happily ever after is a nice dream, but into every married life a little reality about money must fall. Enter the prenuptial agreement, aka the prenup. This contract between prospective spouses clarifies the rights and obligations of the parties during their marriage – and during the sometimes-ugly aftermath should they separate, divorce, annul the marriage, or die. Prenups can help couples set financial expectations for the marriage, including whether they’ll have a joint bank account and file taxes together, among many other matters.
Given the sensitive nature of these conversations, it’s important to know how to advise on such an important document. What do your clients need to know?

  • NOT A MEMBER YET?

    SUBSCRIBE TO GET ALL OF OUR
    GREAT ARTICLES AND RESOURCES!

  • Avoiding Passive Loss Limitations Through Short-term and Alternative Rentals

    Short-term rentals like AirBnb are becoming increasingly popular with taxpayers who invest in real estate. For many taxpayers, the appeal of these properties is the flexibility and cash flow potential. However, there may be an overlooked third tax benefit. In many situations these short-term rentals may not qualify as a rental activity to the IRS, and that may offer a big tax break. While many rental activities generate losses, this can leave taxpayers facing the frustrations of not always getting to deduct those losses right away due to the passive activity limitations.

    Read More

    How Business Owners Can Boost Income by Avoiding the $10,000 SALT Cap

    Taxpayers have been whipsawed by confusing rules for the $10,000 limit on deducting state and local taxes (SALT), the most politically charged piece of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017. The cap has caused nearly 11 million individuals to lose an annual deduction worth $323 billion. But many owners of private businesses known as passthroughs can avert that financial pain. If you own your company and thus report your business income on your personal federal income tax return, here’s what you need to know.

    Read More

    GOFUNDME & KICKSTARTER: TAXABLE? DEDUCTIBLE?

    Millions of taxpayers in the United States are using crowdfunding websites like GoFundMe and Kickstarter to raise money for important needs, such as paying medical bills, paying legal fees, or funding a new business venture. Both the IRS and the courts have been surprisingly silent on the tax consequences of crowdfunding platforms. The good news is that established tax law provides a clear road map for answering most tax questions created by raising money from a crowdfunding website. By knowing these rules, taxpayers can use crowdfunding to raise cash and minimize their overall tax exposure.

    Read More

    My Client Stuck with a Mistaken C Corporation Election?

    My client formed three limited liability companies (LLCs) to hold his rental properties. Without consulting me, he filed Form 8832, Entity Classification Election, to elect C corporation treatment, effective January 1, 2020, for these LLCs. I want the LLCs to be disregarded entities, which is the most tax-efficient structure for his situation. What is the best way to undo these elections?

    Read More

    Quick Guide to Claiming Work-From-Home COVID-19 Expenses to Reduce Your Tax Bill

    This information is particularly important if you are the owner/shareholder of your own corporation – C or S corp. You can set up payroll and designate tax-free reimbursements for you to be working at home – as well other tax-free money for you and for your employees. (We will discuss employees momentarily. Yes, it’s essential.) If being an employee is your main source of income – watch out! The short answer to employees claiming an office in home deduction this year is... There is no deduction!

    Read More

    Five Tax Reduction Strategies for the Casual Cryptocurrency Owner

    With so many people looking for more ways to make money outside their 9 to 5 jobs, many are turning to money making methods using technology including trading in cryptocurrency. For tax purposes, the IRS considers cryptocurrencies property, not as currency. Just like other property types, stocks, investments, or real estate, when you sell, swap, or otherwise dispose of your cryptocurrency for more or less than you acquired it for, you incur a tax reporting obligation. As an example, there would be a $1,000 capital gain if 0.1 bitcoin is bought for $2,000 in June of 2020 and then sold for $3,000 two months later. This profit must be reported on the tax return and a certain amount of tax is due on the gain, depending on the tax bracket of the taxpayer. In this example, the gain would be short term requiring the profit to be taxed at the filer’s ordinary tax rate. These rates range anywhere from 0-37%.

    Read More

    Extra Taxes on S Corporation Distribution?

    My client plans to take about $15,000 in distributions in excess of his basis from his S corporation construction business. I know this generates tax for him. He’s in the 32 percent tax bracket and single. Does he also have to pay the 3.8 percent net investment income tax and the 0.9 percent additional Medicare tax on this amount? Is there a way for him to avoid taxes on this amount?

    Read More

    Reduce Taxable Income Up to $25,000 with Passive Rental Losses

    You have likely heard that owning rental real estate provides great tax benefits. This is true for a multitude of reasons, but there’s one benefit that is arguably the best of the bunch: The Small Taxpayer Allowance for Deducting Passive Rental Losses. Based on average household income levels, more than three-quarters of taxpayers can potentially qualify for this fantastic tax benefit that offers taxable income reduction of up to $25,000.

    Read More
    1 2 3 51
    Scroll to Top

    Download Our FREE Magazine!

    Download Our FREE Magazine!

    Thank you for subscribing to Tax Law Pro

    You are granted a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use Tax Law Pro by Think Outside the Tax Box, Inc., strictly according to these terms of use.