Thomas A. Gorczynski, EA, USTCP is a nationally recognized speaker and educator on federal tax law matters. He is editor-in-chief of EA Journal. In addition, Tom is the co-author of the PassKey Learning Systems EA Review Series and co-owner of Compass Tax Educators.
He is an Enrolled Agent, a Certified Tax Planner, a National Tax Practice Institute TM Fellow, a Certified Tax Resolution Specialist, and admitted to the bar of the United States Tax Court as a non-attorney.
Tom earned a Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University and a Certificate in Finance and Accounting from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. He received the 2019 Excellence in Education Award from the National Association of Enrolled Agents and the 2018 Member of the Year Award from the American Institute of Certified Tax Planners.
Tom’s tax practice in Phoenix, Arizona focuses on implementing advanced tax reduction strategies and representing taxpayers with complex tax problems before the IRS and in the United States Tax Court.
Learn more about Tom and his upcoming educational offerings at www.gorczynski.tax.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 expanded existing energy credits and created brand new ones. There are now several new ways tax professionals can help taxpayers save thousands of dollars a year by planning for these tax credits. In this webinar, we will cover the credits likely to be used by individuals and small businesses. We will also discuss tax planning considerations and areas in need of additional guidance.
The Treasury Department offers two types of federal savings bonds, Series EE and Series I, for individuals and businesses to invest in cash savings.
Until 2021, federal savings bond rates were low; however, with the dramatic increase in inflation and interest rates, interest in federal savings bonds as a savings vehicle has skyrocketed. For example, in May 2023, TreasuryDirect issued $230 million in I bonds in that one month; in May 2020, only $13 million were issued.
Federal savings bonds have very favorable tax features. At the federal level, the interest earned is generally tax-deferable and sometimes entirely excluded from tax. At the state level, the interest is always entirely excluded from tax.
This article will review the differences between Series EE and Series I savings bonds and the tax savings opportunities available to owners of these bonds.
Your optimal choice of entity depends on many factors, including which tax breaks and loopholes are available for that entity type. The C corporation leaps to the top of entity choices if your C corporation stock will qualify as small business stock (QSBS).
The tax law gives two huge tax breaks to QSBS:
1. Up to $10 million of gain exclusion upon sale or the stock’s liquidation; or
2. Tax-deferred rollover of gains if the taxpayer purchases additional QSBS.
But beware: There are two issues that are ambiguous under the law that could cause you to not qualify for either of these tax benefits. Read on to learn more!
Enacted into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the biggest set of tax law changes since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The provisions discussed in this article impact individual taxpayers for tax year 2025 and must be considered immediately for proactive tax planning purposes, future tax withholding, and estimated tax payment calculations. Clients have questions, and we can generally give them the answers they seek; however, some will require future IRS guidance for complete clarity.
Enacted into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the biggest set of tax law changes since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The provisions discussed in this article impact business taxpayers for tax year 2025 and must be considered immediately for proactive tax planning purposes, future tax withholding, and estimated tax payment calculations. Clients have questions, and we can generally give them the answers they seek; however, some will require future IRS guidance for complete clarity.
Thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, the federal government is giving out tens of billions of dollars in tax credits to incentivize taxpayers to purchase electric vehicles. As with any government program, claiming the benefits can be complicated. Since Congress used tax credits to deliver the program, and the personal tax credits are income-limited, tax planning can help a taxpayer who would otherwise not qualify for these benefits. This article will briefly overview the two personal electric vehicle tax credits, followed by several tax planning strategies to unlock these credits for taxpayers who may not otherwise qualify.
Congress created one of the best tax savings vehicles in 2003. It wasn’t the individual retirement account (IRA). It wasn’t the Roth IRA.It was the health savings account (HSA). The HSA is the only tax-preferred savings vehicle in which a taxpayer potentially gets both an upfront tax deduction in addition to tax-free and penalty-free distributions.
The IRS wrote the HSA rules to give taxpayers maximum flexibility in how they use their HSAs for medical expenses. Strategic use of the HSA can lead to lifelong tax savings opportunities.
Let’s review the basic rules as to how an HSA operates, the little-known rules that create tax savings opportunities, and examples of how the HSA can be used to provide tax-free and penalty-free distributions when the taxpayer has a cash need.
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.
When an individual sells a stock for a loss, it is a capital loss, and Congress makes it difficult for individuals to use their capital losses.
The tax law only allows capital losses to the extent of capital gains. If capital losses exceed capital gains, the individual can only use up to $3,000 per year against ordinary income ($1,500 if married filing separately).
However, there is a way around this rule: Losses on Section 1244 stock are ordinary losses, and claiming this valuable tax benefit allows an individual to save thousands of dollars in tax in the year of sale compared to the standard capital loss treatment.
Let’s review what qualifies as Section 1244 stock, what benefits a taxpayer can get from Section 1244 stock, and how to claim those benefits on a tax return.
The IRS loves to issue penalties to taxpayers. In fiscal year 2019, the IRS imposed a whopping $40.5 billion in civil penalties.1
If a taxpayer wants to contest an IRS penalty, it usually takes a really good explanation plus a lot of time and effort.
However, there is a little-known IRS policy that allows a taxpayer to get penalty relief with no explanations required.
Taxpayers who file returns late can quickly rack up huge penalty bills.
The tax law disadvantages gamblers with its treatment of gambling gains and losses. Add that to the fact that gamblers often aren’t the best recordkeepers, and you have a recipe for years of overpaying taxes.
How most tax professionals attempt to reconcile gambling reporting on the tax return can cost gamblers thousands of dollars a year in increased taxes and Medicare premiums (if over age 65).
We’ll discuss how to calculate gambling gains on the tax return, which in many cases reduces or eliminates the excess taxes many gamblers could pay.
Federal, state, and local governments, as well as private organizations, have collectively given trillions of dollars in financial support to individuals and businesses during the pandemic through a maze of government and private programs.
These benefits will help taxpayers to a greater extent if they are tax-free, but are they? In some cases, we have a definite answer. For many, it is the classic tax law answer: “It depends.”
We’ll review the general tax law rules applicable to deciding, then show three ways you can use the tax law to exclude these benefits from a taxpayer’s income.
Many taxpayers use S corporations (governed by Subchapter S of the Internal Revenue Code) or C corporations (governed by Subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code) to legally reduce income taxes, payroll taxes, and self-employment taxes for their business.
However, without careful planning, a taxpayer may have a surprise tax bill from using a corporation for federal tax purposes.
This article will tell you when these unexpected tax hits can happen and how the taxpayer can avoid them with proper planning.
Enacted into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the biggest set of tax law changes since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The provisions discussed in this article impact individual taxpayers for tax year 2025 and must be considered immediately for proactive tax planning purposes, future tax withholding, and estimated tax payment calculations. Clients have questions, and we can generally give them the answers they seek; however, some will require future IRS guidance for complete clarity.
Enacted into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the biggest set of tax law changes since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The provisions discussed in this article impact business taxpayers for tax year 2025 and must be considered immediately for proactive tax planning purposes, future tax withholding, and estimated tax payment calculations. Clients have questions, and we can generally give them the answers they seek; however, some will require future IRS guidance for complete clarity.
The SALT cap has been one of the most argued pieces of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as it has been making its way toward passage. Actually, tax professionals and politicians have been talking about the SALT cap (and looking for ways around it) since it was enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As most of you are aware, most TCJA provisions were set to expire at the end of 2025, including the SALT cap. We take a look at where they stand now.
SUBSCRIBE TO GET ALL OF OUR
GREAT ARTICLES AND RESOURCES!
Enacted into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the biggest set of tax law changes since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The provisions discussed in this article impact individual taxpayers for tax year 2025 and must be considered immediately for proactive tax planning purposes, future tax withholding, and estimated tax payment calculations. Clients have questions, and we can generally give them the answers they seek; however, some will require future IRS guidance for complete clarity.
Enacted into law on July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the biggest set of tax law changes since the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The provisions discussed in this article impact business taxpayers for tax year 2025 and must be considered immediately for proactive tax planning purposes, future tax withholding, and estimated tax payment calculations. Clients have questions, and we can generally give them the answers they seek; however, some will require future IRS guidance for complete clarity.
The SALT cap has been one of the most argued pieces of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as it has been making its way toward passage. Actually, tax professionals and politicians have been talking about the SALT cap (and looking for ways around it) since it was enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. As most of you are aware, most TCJA provisions were set to expire at the end of 2025, including the SALT cap. We take a look at where they stand now.
Overpaying on taxes puts a damper on anyone’s mood. You should be paying precisely what you owe—no less, and no more. When it comes to selling your real estate, you really don’t have to pay taxes on that sale right away. One way to avoid the taxes is by using a Section 1031 exchange, but you actually have other options. This article will show you how to take advantage of them.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
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.
Read More
As a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), you possess the technical knowledge and expertise to assist businesses and individuals with their financial needs. However, in today's competitive marketplace, more than possessing technical skills is needed to grow your client base. To succeed, CPAs must also master effective sales strategies to convert prospects into paying clients. In this article, I will explore critical techniques I had to learn to enhance my sales efforts and achieve my business goals, and I hope they help you reach yours!
Read More
Somehow I got through the last thirty years without ever hearing of Dave Ramsey. Now when I go on YouTube, which I do way too often, there is usually a Dave Ramsey video or a video by one of his critics in my feed, sometimes several. I have also looked at a few of his books. I was once told that because I am an Aquarian I want everybody to get along. So I am going to try to reconcile Ramsey’s recommendations and the significant criticism of them.
Read More
Astronomical expenses crop up more than ever in our economy. From medical bills, business startups, a long-cherished artistic project, it feels like things are harder to afford now than ever. But the internet has also helped create a revolutionary way to raise large amounts of money for some of these causes: crowdfunding. But what does that mean for when the Tax Man comes calling?
Read More
Tax rules are generally designed with a purpose in mind. Most rules serve to define the tax base and tax rates. Many others serve a behavioral purpose to encourage or discourage certain activities. The focus of this article stems from tax rules that are a combination of favoring certain activity such as generation of capital gains, and a limitation on such gains for certain taxpayers, such as the so-called “hot assets” rule for partners under IRC Section 751, Unrealized Receivables and Inventory Items. While Section 751 has been in the tax law for decades, a new application of it was raised by both the IRS and California FTB. This article summarizes Rawat, TC Memo 2023-14, rev’d, No. 23-1142 (DC Cir., 2024), and FTB Legal Ruling 2022-02, and offers observations on their relevance to tax research and practice.
Read More
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.