CPE + Events Catalog

This course provides a comprehensive overview of essential topics, including tax proposals, valuation discounts, and trusts, facilitating a clear understanding of the intricate relationships between real estate and estate and trust planning. By the conclusion, you will have a solid grasp of key concepts that are vital for effective planning in these areas.

1099s are getting messier'are you ready - With multiple 1099 forms now merged into one mega-report for clients and the IRS, it's no wonder fixed income reporting feels more confusing than ever. This course breaks it all down'how the information provided to IRS differs from the backup material in the form, and how to report it all correctly'to help you make sense of the chaos and keep your filings clean.

This course offers an in-depth look at retirement needs models, their flaws, and ways to overcome associated drawbacks. You'll explore holistic retirement planning while reviewing threats to a successful retirement. You'll also hear about recent retirement planning changes, including the elimination of the "Stretch IRA" by the SECURE Act and the new SECURE Act 2.0 changes. We'll address key questions to plan a comfortable retirement and discuss strategies to draw down retirement assets over an extended period. Last updated 2026.

Retirement accounts may be the largest financial asset your client has. Learn to provide valuable retirement planning input rather than mere RMD calculations. Congress has been changing things: witness Secure and Secure 2.0. Beneficiary rules changed in 2019 but final regulations are not effective until 2025. Retirement benefits will be paid to beneficiaries much earlier than was required for pre-2020 deaths. Improper choices and faulty distribution calculations can result in penalties or unnecessary taxes. Retirement plans may be overhauled based on recent legislative changes and IRS interpretations; this effects the self-employed and employees. Course materials contain regulations governing plan distributions and copies of appropriate IRS forms and rulings, updated with the latest cases, rulings, regulations and legislation.

Taking money from a retirement plan before age 59-1/2 or failing to withdraw funds after age 73 leads to penalties. Plan beneficiaries have a separate set of rules as well. There are penalty exceptions and waivers, but some issues have no possible resolution. A withdrawal from a retirement plan is taxable unless it's returned to a plan within 60 days. Some withdrawals cannot be returned and there are some ways to make a late rollover tax-free. Early and late distribution penalties and 60-day rollover failures are prevalent issues that tax preparers must handle despite the size of the firm or the wealth of their clients. Learn the rules of the road in this class. Note: This class presents an in-depth discussion of issues presented in the instructor's class Retirement Distributions: Planning Options.

Big changes are here for retirement plan distributions. On July 19, 2024, t he IRS dropped new Final and Proposed Regulations'and they're a major shift from what we saw in 2022. Join Michael Gray, CPA, as he breaks down what's new, what's changed under SECURE 2.0, and how it all impacts estate planning and post-death retirement account management'especially for surviving spouses and other beneficiaries.

Health-related decisions are encountered in every life stage. Making good choices can have a major impact on personal happiness and financial success. Managing the risk of a financially catastrophic illness requires thoughtful analysis of personal, tax and financial factors. Acquire a better understanding of medical insurance options for individuals transitioning to retirement, including long-term care insurance, Medicare, and Medigap plans.

Managing a mobile workforce presents significant challenges for accounting and finance professionals, from navigating complex tax regulations to ensuring compliance with multi-jurisdictional payroll and reporting requirements. This expert-led course, featuring global mobility specialist David Livitt, provides a comprehensive guide to handling inpats and expats, tax equalization strategies, withholding obligations, and corporate risk mitigation. Gain practical insights into structuring payroll, leveraging tax credits, and optimizing compliance while supporting a globally mobile workforce. Stay ahead in the evolving landscape of international workforce management with expert strategies and best practices. Please note that this product will expire either on 03/31/2027 or one year from the date of purchase (whichever occurs first). Educator discounts do not apply to this product.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of two critical aspects of tax practice: the professional standards that govern the provision of tax advice and the legal privileges that protect certain taxpayer communications. Participants will explore the statutory, regulatory, and professional requirements imposed on CPAs when advising clients, including how to effectively communicate tax positions and comply with applicable standards. In addition, the course examines the scope and limitations of confidentiality privileges available to CPAs, including protections under Internal Revenue Code Section 7525, the work product doctrine, and the Kovel doctrine. Through this combined focus, tax professionals will gain a deeper understanding of both their ethical responsibilities and the legal considerations that impact their client relationships.

The taxation of construction contractors has become increasingly complex under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025, which have permanently reshaped the rules for depreciation, Section 179 expensing, interest limitations, qualified business income deductions, and long-term contract accounting. This course provides a practical guide to navigating these rules, covering percentage-of-completion, completed contract, income recognition, cost allocation, lookback requirements, and key exemptions for small and home construction contracts. With real-world examples, case studies, and planning strategies, you'll learn how to achieve favorable tax outcomes while staying fully compliant with IRS regulations.

Tax professionals must navigate a complex landscape of tax elections and procedural requirements to ensure compliance and minimize risks for their clients. Overlooking an election or procedural rule can lead to adverse tax consequences, missed opportunities, and even malpractice claims. This course provides a comprehensive overview of critical tax elections and procedural issues that CPAs must understand. Participants will explore key tax elections, their implications, and potential pitfalls. Additionally, the course delves into essential tax procedures, including IRS return due dates, statutes of limitations, taxpayer claims for refunds, and various relief provisions. By mastering these areas, CPAs can proactively manage risk, ensure compliance, and effectively represent clients in tax matters.

This course is designed for CPAs seeking to deepen their understanding of federal tax-exempt status and the complexities of Form 990. Participants will explore the core form and schedules, gaining insights into public support requirements, compensation disclosures, and governance policies. The course covers critical topics such as direct and grassroots lobbying, private benefit and inurement, and special rules for activities like advertising and bingo. Attendees will also examine the implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and recent regulatory updates, including mandatory e-filing requirements. By the end, learners will be equipped to ensure accurate, compliant filings and effectively navigate the nuances of tax-exempt organization reporting.

Tax issues in real estate development and homebuilding have grown increasingly complex with the permanent provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) of 2025. This course offers a comprehensive and practical analysis of tax accounting methods and compliance requirements that impact developers and homebuilders, including the capitalization of costs under IRC Section 263A, timing rules under IRC Section 461, and revenue recognition considerations for unit sales. You'll explore critical areas, including depreciation and expensing, business interest limitations, small business taxpayer exemptions, entity structuring, related-party transactions, compensation issues, and the economic performance test. Real-world examples and court cases are used to illustrate how the IRS scrutinizes costing practices, intercompany charges, and ordinary vs. capital gain classifications. By the end of the program, attendees will be equipped with strategies to comply with complex rules, avoid common audit pitfalls, and achieve the most favorable tax results for real estate developers and homebuilders.

Seniors face issues that complicate return preparation and planning. When to apply for social security? How is it taxed? What if they continue to work? Will an increased standard deduction affect charitable planning? Will downsizing affect interest and property tax deductions and payments? How to help children or grandchildren pay for a home or a college education? We'll explore these questions and more.

It's no secret that elections are consequential for a variety of reasons. One key area that experts are watching in light of the 2024 election is tax policy. Kasey Pittman, Director of Tax Policy, at Baker Tilly, walks viewers through the provisions which are set to expire at the end of 2025. She provides her insights regarding potential avenues for tax reform, highlighting the reconciliation process and its limitations. Pittman delves into the impact of a Republican unified government and what that could mean for tax reform, such as in the state and local tax arena. She also explores the challenges that tax advisors and businesses may face in 2025 and how those advisors can best support their clients.

This study examines associations between auditor provided tax compliance and tax planning services and tax avoidance and tax risk. Collectively, our results suggest that companies paying their auditors for tax planning advice are more effective tax planners (in terms of higher tax avoidance and lower tax risk) than firms that do not engage their auditor for tax work. Our tax avoidance results are more pronounced for clients of auditors with more tax expertise and longer tenure, as well as for firms with higher tax and operational complexity. We also find that our tax avoidance results hold only when firms also engage their auditors for tax compliance work, which is consistent with auditors seeking to minimize reputation threats. Our study's unique hand-collected panel dataset provides a more precise and nuanced perspective on the role auditors play in tax outcomes.

Preparing fiduciary income tax returns can be daunting, even for experienced practitioners. Form 1041 (federal) and Form 541 (California) share similarities with individual income tax returns, but fiduciary rules introduce important complexities. This course offers a practical, step-by-step approach to Form 1041/541 preparation, covering everything from obtaining an EIN and understanding governing documents to reporting income, deductions, elections, and distributions. Designed for those preparing their first fiduciary return or seeking a solid refresher, this course equips participants to navigate fiduciary taxation with confidence.

Qualified Opportunity Zones remain a powerful yet complex planning tool for financial professionals. In this course, Trent Baeckl explores the evolution of the Opportunity Zone program, key tax incentives, and critical planning considerations ahead of the 2026 gain recognition deadline. Participants will gain practical insight into compliance, reporting, geographic distinctions, and strategic decision-making to help clients evaluate Opportunity Zone investments with greater clarity and confidence.

Laurie Smith, Tax Partner at Wiss & Company, LLP, outlines how recent tax reforms require a shift from compliance to strategic advisory. This session explores key provisions and how they interact to impact planning. Attendees will learn to identify modeling risks, clarify client misconceptions, and recognize when deeper analysis is needed to guide smarter, multi-year tax decisions.

Estate planning remains a vital component of personal and business tax strategy, even for families that may never incur estate tax. With the exemption equivalent to nearly $14 million in 2025 and scheduled to rise to $15 million in 2026, fewer estates will face federal estate tax; yet, planning remains essential. This course highlights the top issues practitioners need to understand, including portability, annual and lifetime exclusions, charitable and retirement plan considerations, valuation, trusts, and basis step-up rules. Through real-world examples, you'll gain practical guidance on helping clients preserve wealth, coordinate beneficiary designations, and create meaningful legacies. Estate planning is not just for the wealthy'it affects all clients.