Section 1 - 3 Flashcards
A tax return preparer is a person who (3)
1 Prepares for compensation
2 Employs someone to prepare for compensation
3. A person who preps tax returns for a refund
3 reasons a person cannot be a tax preparer
Mere assistance (typing/mechanical shit) Prepares as a fiduciary Preps a return for a refund of the employer
Three confidential communications
1 Advise client on tax matters
- Confidential between attorney and practitioner
- Noncriminal tax matters before IRS by or against the USA
REECA can practice before the IRS
Registered Tax return preps Enrolled Retirement plan agents Enrolled Actuaries Enrolled Agents CPA Attorney
If you can practice before the IRS what type of documentation do they give you
Enrollment/registration card
OR
Certificate
If the enrollment/registration card or Certificate is INVALID - Who can NOT practice before IRS?
Enrolled Agent, Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent, Registered Tax Return Preparer
What tis an IRS Power of Attorney?
Taxpayer’s WRITTEN authorization for someone to act on behalf of the taxpayer on tax related matters. The individual can perform all acts that the taxpayer can perform
A tax return preparer is subject to penalties if they FAIL to do the following:
___ a return or claim that is required
____ of the tax return to the taxpayer
Kepp for ___ years a copy of the return, __ number, tax years the returns were prepared
Fulfill ____ requirements for a taxpayer entitled to the ___ credit
Sign a return or claim that’s required
Furnish a copy of the tax return to the taxpayer
Keep for 3 years a copy of the return, ID number, current/previous tax years the returns were filed
Fulfill Due Diligence requirements for at taxpayer entitled to to the Earned Income Tax Credit
What does Treasury Circular No 230 contain rules of?
Rules governing the recognition of attorneys,CPA, Enrolled Agent, Enrolled Retirement Plan Agent, Registered Tax Return Preparers, and other people representing taxpayers before IRS
Information must be furnished before the IRS UNLESS WHAT?
the practitioner IN GOOD FAITH believes the records are privelidged
If the practitioner ias aware of noncompliance before the government, the practitioner must:
Advise the client of the fact of the noncompliance (state the fact that noncompliance exists)
When must a practitioner exercise due diligence? (3)
Prepping/assisting: — approving/filing tax returns, documents, affidavits, & other papers
Determining correctness of all representations made by the practitioner to the gov.
Determining the correctness of all representations made by the practitioner to the client
If a practitioner relies on the work product of another person (assuming they used reasonable care)… what did they exercise?
Due diligence
Can a practitioner charge unconscionable(unjust/one-sided) fees?
Can a practitioner charge contingent fees?
Nope
Yes. Three ways:
- IRS examines or challenges an orignal/amended/ return or claim for refund
- Claim for credit/refund is filed only with the determination of statutory interest or penalties
- Any judicial proceedings under the IRC
When must a practioner return client’s records? Can the practitioner keep copies?
Return all records that’s necessary to comply with the client’s FEDERAL tax obligations
They can retain copies
Does a dispute over fee relieve a practitioner their responsibility?
Generally no. Two ways it could
- State law permits retention of client’s records by a practitioner in the case of a dispute over fees for services.
- Practitioner must provide client w/ reasonable access to review/copy records that are necessary for the client to comply w/ tax obligations
When can a CPA represent a client if a conflict of interest exists?
Never
When would a conflict of interest exist:
Representing 1 client would directly adverse another client
Sig. risk that the representations of 1 or more clients will be materially limited by the CPA’s responsibility to another client/former client/3rd person/ personal interest of the CPA
When can a CPA represent a client?
Each affected client waives the conflict of interest and gives informed consent – IN WRITING
A CPA who prepares tax returns may not endorse or negotiate any check issued to a client by the government in respect to a ____
federal tax liability
What is the standard for returns?
CPAmay not willfully/recklessly advise a client/sign a return/ sign a claim/take position that:
- is unreasonable
- Attempt to understate the tax liability
What is the standard for documents
CPA may not advise a client to submit a document that:
- Purpose is to delay/impede tax laws
- That is frivolous (no value, care free)
- Omits information intentionally that violates/disregards a rule or regulation
Can a CPA rely in good faith w/o verification of information furnished by the client when ADVISING to take a position on a tax return??
Yes
When must a CPA possess competence?
When practicing before the IRS
When providing written advise, the CPA MUST
- Base advice on factual & legal assumption
- Consider all relevant facts
- Identify and verify relevant facts
When can a CPA not rely on the advice of others?
CPA knows the other person cant be relied upon
Other person isn’t competent
Other person has a conflict of interest
When does a tax payer adopt a new tax year?
When they file their first income tax return (including extensions) by the due date for that year
What is the difference between a calendar year, fiscal year, and tax year
CY: Ends on 12/31
FY: Ends on any day except 12/31
TY: Varies from 52-53 weeks but can not end on the last day of the month
When is an accounting method chosen?
How can someone change their accounting method?
When the first tax return is filed
Change method w/ IRS approval
When is TCJA Applicable?
What is TCJA?
Tax Cut and Jobs Act
TCJA is applicable after 12/31/2017
Ppl who have gross receipts of $25M or less during the last 3 years are NOT requried to account for COGS using inventories.
They dont have to use the accrual - they can use any method as long as it treats inventories as non-incidental materials OR conforms to the taxpayer’s financial treatment of inventory.
What entities are PROHIBIITED from using the cash method? (3)
C
P
S
A corporation (other than S corp) w/ an avg. annual gross receipt exceeding $25M
Partnership w/ a corporation (excluding S Corp) as a partner w/ avg annual gross receipts exceeding $25M
Tax Shelter
What are the special exceptions for hte allowance of the cash method?
Qualified personal service corporations can use the cash method
Taxpayers engaged in farming can use the cash method
What must you include to properly value inventory under the cost method?
Direct and indirect costs
What is the purpose of the accrual method?
When is income reported?
Match income w/ expenses
Reported when:
- Taxpayer receieves payment
- Income amount is due to taxpayer
- Taxpayer earns the income
- Title has passed
Can a taxpayer deduct expense that are paid in advance?
What method would this apply to?
No (note: applies to anything that creates an asset)
Apply to cash and accrual methods
Accrual Method - Why can you deduct bad debt?
B/c taxpayer reports income when earned. Taxpayer can deduct amounts owed to them b/c it was included in income previously in a different year.
When does a taxpayer report income under cash method?
Can you take a bad debt deductions?
When money is received
No b/c you recognize when the money is received.
What method can a taxpayer deducted taxes paid during the year?
What real estate taxes are deductible?
Are all taxes deductible?
Either one.
Any state/local/foreign taxes on real estate levied for general public
Not all taxes are deductible
Can taxpayers deduct taxes charged for local benefits and imrpovements that increase the value of the taxpayer’s property?
What are some examples of local benefits/improvements
What should the taxpayer do regarding the basis of the property by the amount of assessments?
No
ex: street/sidewalk/sewerline/public parking
Should increase the basis of the property by amount of assessment
TCJA (Tax Cut & Jobs Act) puts a ____ cap for the ____deduction.
Does this cap apply to taxes incurred in a trade or business?
$10K , SALT (State & Local Taxes)
It does NOT apply to taxes incurred in a trade or business.
An LLC is an entity formed under state law and unlike a partnership, ____ of the members of an LLC are personally liable for its debts
none
How may an LLC be classified for federal income tax purposes?
As a partnership, corporation, or an entity disregarded as an entity separate from its owner IF*** it only has 1 owner.
If a DOMESTIC LLC with at least 2 members that do not file an election to be a corporation will be classified as a ___? For what purpose?
partnership for federal income tax purpose
Does the conversion of a partnership into an LLC classified as a partnership terminate the partnership?
What happens to the tax ID number after conversion?
What will change during the partnership?
Nope
Nothing happens - can still use the same tax ID #
It will change the partners bases from recourse liabilities to non-recourse liability
What type of number must a taxpayer have if they pay wages?
EIN - Employer ID Number
Is there a limit on the deductions if a taxpayer has a NFP business/investment? If so, list, if not , dont
Yes
- Taxpayer cannot use a loss to offset other income
- Activities done as a hobby are not entered into for profit
What is an Agent and what is a principal?
Do specific people only have the capacity to be an agent?
What does an agency (agent) require?
What can minors do regarding agents?
Is consideration required?
What does the principal & agent require?
Agent: anyone authorized to act on behalf of another ( the “another person” is the Principal)
Anybody can be an agent
Requires an agreement - orally or written - contract not required
Minors can appoint agents
Consideration is NOT required
Requires meeting of the minds & consent to act
What are the characteristics of an agent (3)
FSH
Fiduciary Duty to principal
Subject to control of principal
Has authority to bind principal contractually to 3rd parties
Who are examples of agents?
Who can not be agents?
Partners, corporate officers, Employees, Real Estate Broker, Power of Attorney.
Can not be agents: infants or mentally incompetent ppl
Disclosed Principals
Partially Disclosed or undisclosed principals
Definitons
Disclose Principal -3rd party knows identify of principal 7 agent is not liable under contract
Partially/undisclosed principals - principal can be personally liable under contract or the agent can be personally liable, but NOT both
Liability to 3rd parties
Principal will be liable for all ___ contracts
Principal will not be liable for ___ contracts
Agent is liable for ___ contract unless the principal….
authorized
unauthorized
unauthorized, unless principal ratifies the contract
What type of fiduciary duty does the principal have to the agent?
What type of fiduciary duty does the agent have to the principal?
None
Agent has the fiduciary duty
How does the termination of an agency occur?
What must the principal do upon termination?
Action of parties or by law
Principal must give notice to older customers and publish notice to POTENTIAL new customers
Examples of Termination of agency by agreement & by law
Agreement: Time, mutual agreement, accomplished objective
Law: Death, bankruptcy, destruction, agreement becomes illegal, failure to obtain required license
Agency/Principal - Types of authority
What is actual/real authority?
What is apparent authority?
What is Express Authority
What is implied authority?
What type of authority do 3rd parties look for?
Actual/real - principal conveys to agent the right to act on their behalf (this may be conveyd under expressed or implied authority)
Express - principal tells the agent
Implied - principal’s conduct gives agent the authority (lol tf)
Apparent Authority - Principal tells/gives appearance 3rd parties that the agent is authorized
3rd parties look for apparent authority
Can a contract be implied?
Yes:
Implied in fact - actions of parties
Implied in law - quasi contract (obligation by law)
If the contract is for sale of tangible goods, apply ___
If the contract is for anything other than the sale of goods, apply ___
Sale of tangible goods: apply statute
Everything else: common law
What are the elements of a contract?
PLACCO
Proper Form - some contracts have to be in writing
Lawful Object - cant be illegal
Acceptance - by offerree
Consideration - both sides agree (meeting of minds)
Competent Parties - nobody is insane/intoxicated
Offer - by the offeror
ELEMENTS OF CONTRACT - ACCEPTANCE
If you add conditions to an offer, what is it?
Under common law, an acceptance has to be a ___ image of the original offer to be valid
When are acceptances effective?
A counter-offer
Mirror image
Effective when sent
Element of Contract - Consideration
Three components of consideration - what is it?
- Giving up a legal right - doing something you dont have to do
- Mutually bargain for - both sides have to give up something
3 Legally sufficient - courts DONT care if it is fair
Element of Contract - Consideration
Is past consideration valid
What is future consideration
Past consideration is NOT valid
Future consideration in exchange for future consideration
Element of Contract - What makes an offer end (not a Q)
Can an offer be revoked?
If there isn’t an expiry time on offer, when does it end?
Offers can be revoked by offeror UNLESS the offeree buys an option (idk what this means)
Expires in a reasonable time (no stated time)
Types of contracts (4)
BUVV
- Bilateral - promise for promise
- Unilateral - promise for an act
- Void contract - unenforceable by either party
- Voidable Contract - Legal contract but one party has right to cancel
Six types of Contract must be in writing
GRIPE + Marriage
Goods for sale of $500 or more. Writing must state qnty
Real Estate Contracts
Impossible Contracts to perform in 1yr (measure when contract is made, not when performance begins)
Promise to answer the debt of another
Executor’s promise to be liable for the debt of an estate
Contracts where MARRIAGE is the consideration
Competent Parties
Minors - Can dis-affirm when
Drunk - Can dis-affirm when
Insane- Can dis-affirm when
Minor - anytime while a minor
Drunk - only when incapable of understanding
Insane - once deemed insane medically
Elements of Fraud
DRIM
Damages / injury (results in damages/injury)
Reliance by injured party
Intent to mislead
Misrepresentation of material fact
Constructive Fraud or Gross Negligence -
RDRM
Reckless disregard for the truth
Damages (results in damages)
Reliance by injured by
Misrepresentation of material fact
Can you void a contract by duress and undue influence?
Yes
What is the Parole Evidence Rule?
Oral/written evidence prior/during writing of contract that contradicts the contract that becomes inadmissible(invalid) in court
Three types of 3rd party beneficiaries
Creditor - Definiton - Has Privity?
Donee - Definiton - Has Privity?
Incidental - Definiton - Has Privity?
Creditor - receives benefit when contract is satisfied - has privty
Donee - promisee gives a benefit to someone (donee) when the promissee doesn’t owe the donee a debt. Has privity.
Incidental - receives a benefit from a contract between 2 parties. Not intended the 3rd party will benefit. No privity
Privity - Relationship between two people
Contract Remedies Actual/Compensatory Damages Specific Performance Liquidated Damages Punitive Damages (SLAP)
Specific performance - provides a performance - used when $$ won’t suffice. Used when something is rare
Liquidated damages - puts in contract what damages will be
Actual/compensatory damages - amount caused by breach (court tries to make you whole)
Punitive damages - purpose is to punish you. Can ask when there is fraud.