Midterm Flashcards
What is Circular 230
Law governing who may practice before the IRS
What are the elements of a tax practice
planning, research, litigation
What is the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion
Tax avoidance is legal,evasion is illegal because its the illegal nonpayment of taxes
Who may practice before the IRS?
Attorneys, enrolled agents, CPAs, enrolled actuaries
What is a tax preparer?
Unenrolled person who signs a tax return as having prepared it for a taxpayer is authorized to conduct “limited practice” before the IRS
What is an open transaction?
transaction where tax practitioner maintains some degree of control over the tax liability
What is a closed transaction?
transaction where all pertinent actions have been completed
What is the concept of due diligence?
means tax practitioners in preparing tax returns in their practice before the IRS involve more than a simple error but less than willful and reckless misconduct
What are covered opinions?
strict standards imposed by IRS as it relates to transactions that are the same or similar to a transaction at the time the advice is rendered. Any partnership or entity investment plan or arrangement for which the principal purpose was avoidance or evasion
What is mean of SSTS 4: use of estimates
A member may prepare tax returns that use estimates if they cannot locate exact amounts
What is the meaning of SSTS 1: return position
Must have a good faith belief that position has a realistic possibility of being sustained administratively or judicially
What are the effect of Sarbanes Oxley?
Firms must rely on its own estimates not the firm they’re auditing. Same firm that audits cannot do tax work
What are the steps in the tax research process
- establish facts, identify issues, locate authority, evaluate authority, develop conclusion, communicate recommendation
Why is tax an iterative process?
Once you find an answer a new issue may cause additional research
What is primary authority?
statutory, administrative, judicial
What are statutory sources of law?
US Constitution, tax treaties, laws passed by congress
What are administative sources of law?
Treasury rulings, IRS regs, revenue rulings
What is secondary authority?
Tax services, journals, textbooks, treatises, newsletters
How does tax provisions affect tax research and planning
It may cause a company to change the manner in which they compute tax liability
When was the federal income tax law passed
During the civil war - August 5, 1861
What the statutory sources of federal law?
Constitution, tax treaties, internal revenue code
What are the administrative sources of law?
Treasury regs, revenue rulings, revenue procedures
How are tax protestors handled?
Subject to $5,000 fine for frivolous tax return, $25,000 by tax court for frivolous matter
What is the source of federal tax law?
The constitution
What are tax treaties?
Agreements negotiated between countries concerning the treatment of entities subject to tax in both countries – primary authority. President can enter with advice / consent of senate
What cause a treaty to terminate
expire, mutual decision to terminate, new treaty between two countries