CPE Catalog & Events

Developing issues related to the 2024 Yellow Book revision and the 2024 revision to the Uniform Guidance for Federal Awards Key AICPA developments affecting audits of governments and nonprofits (including SAS No. 146 on quality management) Recent GASB activities directed toward state and local governments (e.g., the implementation of GASB No. 101 on compensated absences, GASB No. 102 on certain risk disclosures, GASB No. 103 on improvements to the financial reporting model, and additional GASB projects) Critical, but sometimes overlooked, FASB ASC 958 implementation guidance and illustrations for not-for-profits)

Legislative developments A full chapter devoted to determining the best planning options for maximizing joint Social Security benefits Retirement benefits: Amount of benefits in various circumstances; how the amounts are distributed within the family unit Qualification: Has the client retired? How business entities may be used for Social Security advantage Income taxation of Social Security: avoidance tactics Spousal benefits: Should a spouse return to work? What benefits does a spouse have and when and how do they relate to benefits decisions by the client? When can hiring the spouse increase overall benefits?  Why should both spouses qualify for survivor benefits? Disability benefits When to start Social Security benefits: Advantages and disadvantages at ages 62, full retirement age, and 70 Coordinating benefits: Should you take Social Security first and higher-balance IRA distributions later, or take IRA balances first and enhanced Social Security benefits later? Pensions: Distribution strategies; how to use the minimum distribution rules in concert with Social Security benefits IRAs: Is it time to convert to a Roth? Medicare, Part D prescription drugs: what retirees need to know

Congressional Budget Reconciliation Process - explore how this powerful legislative tool allows Congress to fast track tax law changes and how it could be used to enact significant tax reforms in the current political climate President Trump's tax proposals - review key components of President Trump's tax agenda, including a tip income exemption, overtime pay relief, Social Security tax exemption, auto loan interest deductibility, SALT deduction modifications, a lower corporate tax rate, restoration of 100% bonus depreciation, immediate R&D expensing, and permanent extension of select TCJA provisions Potential expiration of select TCJA provisions - understand the implications for taxpayers as key provisions of the TCJA approach sunset dates Tariff policy and implementation - analyze the use of tariffs as a fiscal and trade policy tool Principles and considerations for nonresident withholding, composite payments, and passthrough entity taxes Partnership Distributions, Form 7217, and S Corporation Redemptions Thinking beyond §163(j) -- Interest Allocation Rules, Original Issue Discount, Applicable High Yield Discount Obligations, Convertible Corporate Debt Instruments, and Debt-Financed Distributions Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Selected Practice and Reporting Issues: What’s new? A review of recent cases and tax law changes and IRS guidance affecting S corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, and limited liability partnerships Form 1099-K reporting requirements Bonus depreciation  Section 174 Research & Experimental Expenditures -- guidance under Notice 2023-63 and Notice 2024-12 Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs)

Technology and workstation arrangements Maximizing productivity Establishing procedures that can be implemented throughout the organization Understanding the relationship between remote work and employee retention Effective communication strategies for staying connected with colleagues and clients The productivity challenges unique to working from home Time management The importance of distinguishing between the “home office” and “home” Data privacy concerns Other ethical considerations that arise when working from home

This session is a comprehensive review of the Federal individual income tax provisions and tax forms/schedules that will affect the 2025 tax returns and 2026 tax projections with an emphasis on newly enacted income tax legislation, court cases, and IRS guidance. Each participant will receive a comprehensive individual income tax reference manual that includes numerous practice aids, real world examples, new Federal income tax forms and schedules, and Pat Garverick’s Quick Reference Chart. Topics include but are not limited to: Discuss the most recent individual income tax legislation passed to date including any TCJA provisions expiring after 2025 Review numerous individual income tax provisions related to business (i.e., sole proprietors and owners in pass through entities) including but not limited to the 20% qualified business income (QBI) deduction, §461(l) business loss limitations, and depreciation. Cover issues related and any changes to the various taxes (i.e., income tax rates, capital gain tax rates, self-employment tax and alternative minimum tax (AMT), 3.8% net investment income tax) Brush up on other topics such as income filing status, personal exemptions, itemized deductions, exclusions from income, adjustments to income, rentals, passive activity rules and individual income tax credits (e.g., child tax credit and dependent care credit) Walk through changes to IRAs and the NEW final required minimum distribution (RMD) regulations Look at any changes to the Form 1040 and other related schedules and forms

Review of recent federal legislation and administrative rulings Review of recent modifications to tax forms Review of small business tax law and administrative update changes Review of retirement plan changes Overall review of tax practice and procedures

Major 2025 tax form changes as they relate to individual taxpayers Key new tax developments as they relate to 2025 and how they impact the 2025 tax forms

Review of the current legal and regulatory framework surrounding non-compete agreements Enforcement of non-compete agreements from the employer’s perspective Opposing enforcement of non-compete agreements from the employee’s perspective Understanding reasonable geographic scope and time limitations for non-compete agreements Understanding key issues that arise during enforcement and opposition to enforcement of non-compete agreements

What it takes to be effective as a manager Exploring the challenges that get in the way Looking at the driving forces that have evolved how managers engage with employees today Motivating employees of multi-generations Twelve practices that can be adopted to influence employees to become more engaged Identifying what it takes to develop employees Delegation and accountability

Notice 2020-75: PTE elections What is a 754 election? What if a 754 election is not in effect? Tax implications of a partnership interest sale on the seller Look-through provisions

When is a person eligible to take Social Security benefits? Factors to consider when selecting an option for taking Social Security benefits Is there a best age to start taking Social Security benefits? How to maximize Social Security benefit payments for surviving spouses How can a divorced spouse collect Social Security benefits based on the work record of a former spouse? How minor children can collect Social Security benefits based on the work record of an older parent

Understand the four loss limitation rules applied on the owner's individual income tax return (i.e., basis, at-risk, passive and excess business loss limitations) Determine how to calculate an owner's initial tax basis of his pass-through entity Learn how to correctly make annual adjustments to a pass-through owners tax basis Identify what constitutes a debt basis for an S corporation shareholder Learn the tax ramifications of repaying loans to S corporation shareholders

FASB ASC 842, Leases All recently released updates to ASC 842, Leases

Social Security planning, benefit calculation and beneficiaries Recent changes to "file and suspend" and "restricted application" strategies Increasing benefits for self-employed individuals Planning for surviving spouses Integrating retirement plan distribution strategies with Social Security claiming strategies Coordinating drawing Social Security benefits with the start of Medicare benefits, including a discussion of IRMAA

Classifying receipts between “income” and “corpus” under the Uniform Principal and Income Act Calculation of DNI utilizing three different methods, a “forms” method (Schedule B), a “code” method, and a “shortcut” method, utilizing a worksheet of common income and expenses Proper W-2 preparation and procedures in the year of death Taxpayer passes before taking a required minimum distribution; what must be done?  Forgetful fiduciaries of simple trusts Fluctuating trusts – Simple one year, complex the next Dividing income in the year of death Overview of Subchapter J Form preparation issues – Filing requirements and line-by-line explanations of Form 1041 Taxable income of estates and trusts and expense allocation issues Specific deductions and miscellaneous itemized deductions Income in respect of a decedent The income distribution deduction calculation Relation of principal and income law to DNI Understanding how to handle capital gains and losses Allocating tax items to beneficiaries: another K-1 Other considerations: excess deductions on termination Comprehensive DNI case study, with principal (cost and FMV) and income reconciliation Comprehensive trust and estate case studies, with filled-in forms

Reviews of portions of error-prone “staff-prepared” Forms 1120-S and 1065 from client-provided information Be aware of legislative changes How to reduce input errors. When and how to rely on third-party data import software What are common errors preparers make and what are the areas generating malpractice claims? Initial administrative groundwork The importance of Schedule M-1. Learn how various schedules are related and learn how to self-review Overview of new Schedules K-2 and K-3 Don’t fall prey to reporting oddities When can seemingly separately stated Schedule K items actually be trade or business items to report on Forms 1120-S or 1065? Form 1120-S – What exactly is terminating S elections today? How do I recognize a second class of stock? Maintaining shareholder basis schedules; beware of final IRS regulations regarding “open debt”; the default method of calculating basis versus the election under §1367; can an S corporation distribute earnings and profits from C corporation years? Form 1065 – New tax reporting requirement for partners’ capital balances Why use §704(b) to maintain capital accounts; §704(c) regulations for preventing the shifting of tax consequences among partners or members; allocating recourse, nonrecourse, and qualified nonrecourse debt; a review of §754 step-up in basis rules Discussion of more complex transactions included in corporate structures Multiple checklists of efficient procedures to identify potential issues on an 1120-S or 1065 tax return

Key requirements, options, and disclosures related to each of the basic financial statements The reporting of functional and natural expense information Requirements related to providing liquidity and availability of financial assets information Core not-for-profit accounting requirements related to conditional and unconditional contributions, promises to give, contributed services, net assets, special events, the classification of expenses, and more

Congressional Budget Reconciliation Process - explore how this powerful legislative tool allows Congress to fast track tax law changes and how it could be used to enact significant tax reforms in the current political climate President Trump's tax proposals - review key components of President Trump's tax agenda, including a tip income exemption, overtime pay relief, Social Security tax exemption, auto loan interest deductibility, SALT deduction modifications, a lower corporate tax rate, restoration of 100% bonus depreciation, immediate R&D expensing, and permanent extension of select TCJA provisions Potential expiration of select TCJA provisions - understand the implications for individual and business taxpayers as key provisions of the TCJA approach sunset dates Tariff policy and implementation - analyze the use of tariffs as a fiscal and trade policy tool Digital assets and tax implications - understand the new Form 1099-DA for reporting digital asset transactions, along with updated IRS guidance on cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and broker responsibilities Artificial intelligence - discover how AI and generative tools are transforming tax practices, as well as how the IRS is leveraging AI to enhance audit selection Form 1099-K reporting requirements - understand the evolving IRS thresholds and rules for third-party payment platforms Sale of Passthrough Entity Interests and Net Investment Income Tax - analyze the tax implications of selling interests in passthrough entities, including relevant examples, and how the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) applies to these transactions  The Gig Economy - examine key tax implications for gig workers, including Independent Contractor vs. Employee classification challenges, reporting responsibilities, and the impact of the 2024 Department of Labor Final Rule on worker status Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Practice aids, including all the numbers applicable for the current year -- inflation-adjusted amounts, mileage rates, retirement contributions, and more Advanced practice, reporting, and other issues intertwined with advanced planning and discussion ideas

Discussion of the importance of financial education for the next generation Understanding a client’s financial values Determining a client’s financial literacy Helping clients develop a teaching roadmap Using knowledge to protect against entitlement Developing a knowledge base for the information, including a full list of recommended books on the topic and games for families to play Discussion of specific topics, including tips and tricks related to: Allowances Earning, work, and entrepreneurship Spending, saving, and investing Philanthropy Taxes Credit cards, crypto, and financial fraud

Final Rule - Employee or Independent Contractor Classification Under the FLSA: the multifactor “economic reality” test; What analysis guides whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor under this final rule? Can a worker voluntarily waive employee status and choose to be classified as an independent contractor? Are any of the economic reality factors adopted in this rule more important than others when evaluating a worker’s employment status? How does the final rule explain “extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the employer’s business?” The Federal Trade Commission’s Decision on Non-compete Agreements: impact on new and existing non-competes; treatment and definitional terms for senior executives; definition of a non-compete clause; definition of a “worker” New Overtime Rules: exemptions from minimum wage and overtime pay requirements for executive, administrative, professional, outside sales, and computer employees; increases in the standard level and the highly compensated employee total annual compensation threshold; new mechanism allowing for the timely and efficient updating of the salary and compensation thresholds