MSCPA REGIONAL FORUMS - 2007
SUMMARY OF OUTLINES
INDIVIDUALS
Author: Richard Hellmold
New Laws
1.) Key Provisions in the
Pension Protection Act of 2006
2.) Key Provisions in the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of
2006
3.) President signs spending bill containing Small Business
and Work
Updated
Regulations
1.) Regs would knock out
income tax advantages of private annuities
Preamble to Prop Reg
2.) “Qualified appraisal” and “qualified appraiser” defined
for charitable contribution deduction and penalty - Notice 2006-96, 2006-46 IRB
3.) Temp and proposed Regs. liberalize some tax shelter
disclosure rules but toughen others
T.D. 9295, 11/01/2006; Preamble to Prop Reg 11/01/2006; Preamble to Prop
Reg 11/01/2006; Preamble to Prop Reg 11/01/2006; Reg. 1.6011-4T; Prop Reg 1.6011-4;IR 2006-167; Prop Reg 301.6111-3; Prop Reg 301.6112-1
Cases and Rulings
1.) Casual gamblers had to
report winnings despite larger losses
Spencer, TC Summary Opinion
2006-95
2.) Rollover from decedent's IRA to surviving spouse's IRA
kills 10% penalty tax exception Charlotte
and Charles T. Gee, 127 TC No. 1 (2006)
3.) ISO stock losses held subject to capital loss
limitations for AMT purposes Paul Norman v. U. S., (DC Cal 07/19/2006 98 AFTR 2d ¶2006-5191
4.) Fifth
Circuit affirms: dollar limits apply to AMT capital loss from worthless ISO
stock
5.) Tax Court again applies dollar limitations to ISO stock
losses in computing AMT Palahnuk, (2006) 127 TC No. 9
6.) Income recognized when stock options exercised, not
when margin loan repaid Palahnuk v.
7.) Valid Code Sec. 83(b) election causes gain on all ISO
stock to be recognized for AMT purposes Kadillak (2006), 127 T.C. No. 13
8.) Income recognized when stock options exercised, not
when sold to pay margin loan
9.) Seventh Circuit holds income was recognized on option's
exercise
10.) Ninth Circuit finds income on exercise of stock
options, not on sale to pay margin loan
U.S. v. Tuff (CA 9 12/4/2006), 98 AFTR 2d
¶2006-5851
11.) All payments under medical plan reimbursing
nonqualifying beneficiaries are taxable
Rev Rul 2006-36, 2006-36 IRB
12.) Limited window to make tax-free IRA distributions for
charitable purposes Code Sec.
408(d)(8), as amended by Pension Protection Act of 2006 § 1201(a)
13.) Consistency duty required use of discounted estate tax
value to calculate inherited art's COGS
Janis, (CA 9 8/21/2006), 98 AFTR 2d ¶
2006-5353
14.) Statutory rules required use of discounted estate tax
value to calculate inherited art's COGS Janis, (CA 2 11/15/2006) 98 AFTR 2d ¶2006-5808
15.) New law toughens rules for contributions of fractional interests in tangible personal property Code Sec. 170(o), Code Sec. 2055(g), Code Sec. 2522(e), as amended by Pension Protection Act of 2006 §
1218
16.) Filing and reporting guidance provided for Chapter 11
debtors in bankruptcy Notice 2006-83, 2006-40 IRB
17.) Active-duty reservists get retroactive penalty relief
from early retirement withdrawals IR 2006-152
18.) Company owner's restorative payment stemming from
trustee's embezzlement deductible as employee business expense PLR 200640003
19.) Ferry boat operator allowed
to deduct some meal costs over IRS's
objection Marc G. Bissonnette and Lillian
20.) IRS updates list of
treaties qualifying foreign dividends for preferential rates Notice 2006-101, 2006-47 IRB
21.) Entire M&IE reimbursement is wages if excess over
deemed substantiated rate isn't established Rev Rul 2006-56, 2006-46 IRB 874; IR 2006-175
22.) Taxpayer who failed to appear lost right to intervene
in ex-spouse's innocent spouse case Tipton,
(2006) 127 TC No. 15
23.) No theft loss deduction based on estimate of
unrecoverable amount Johnson v. U.S., (Ct Fed Cl
25.) Second marriage resulting in
big family qualified homeseller for reduced maximum exclusion PLR 200725018
26.) New guidance explains post-'06
rollover option for nonspouse beneficiaries of qualified plan accounts
Notice 2007-7, 2007-5 IRB; IR 2007-7
27.) IRS explains how older
individuals can make nontaxable transfers from IRAs to charity Notice
2007-7, 2007-5 IRB; IR
2007-7
28.) Board chairman's
indemnification of restaurant's loss wasn't deductible Tigrett
v. U.S. (CA 6 1/12/2007) 99 AFTR 2d ¶2007-351
29.) Tuition at school to treat
learning disabilities is deductible medical expense PLR 200521003
30.) Restorative payment for bad
IRA investment advice eligible for “late” rollover PLR 200705031
31.) Shareholder/employee's unpaid
advance was miscellaneous itemized deduction
32.) Tax Court says tournament
poker is subject to Code. Sec. 165(d) limit on gambling losses George
E. and Gloria Tschetschot, TC Memo 2007-38
33.) Preparer's fraud keeps
taxpayer's income tax return open indefinitely
Vincent Allen, (2007) 128 TC
No. 4
34.) Ninth Circuit upholds passive
loss Regs.' self-rental rule
35.) Tax Court OKs aggregation of
losing equestrian activity with profitable design business Topping,
TC Memo 2007-92
36.) Endorsing nonqualified annuity
issuer's check to other issuer for second annuity is taxable Rev Rul 2007-24, 2007-21 IRB
37.) Appeals Court upholds
check-the-box Regs., finds sole LLC owner liable for payroll taxes McNamee
v. Treasury, (CA 2 05/23/2007) 99 AFTR 2d 2007-998
38.) IRS shoots down enhanced tax
break for wrap accounts Internal Legal Memorandum 200721015
39.) Court rejects use of annuity
tables to determine estate tax value of lottery payments Negron
v.
40.) IRS memo explains how
taxpayers treat real property tax rebates Internal Legal Memorandum 200721017
41.) Settlement with stockbroker
yielded capital gain PLR 200724012
42.)
43.) Partnership's wagering gains
serve to boost partner's personal wagering loss deduction Internal
Legal Memorandum 200725036
Other Items of Interest
1.) IRS prepares taxpayers for
tough new offer in compromise rules that take effect July 16 Notice
2006-68, 2006-31 IRB; IR
2006-106; Fact
Sheet 2006-22
2.) Patenting of tax plans and
strategies comes under Congressional scrutiny
3.) AICPA wants Congress to
restrict patenting of tax strategies
4.) Goodie Bags
5.) IRS unveils 2007 list of
notorious tax scams—the “Dirty Dozen” IR 2007-37
6.) Joint Committee Staff
highlights AMT's widening net and options for reform Joint Committee on Taxation,
Present Law And Background Relating To The Individual Alternative Minimum Tax
(JCX-10-07),
7.) What are your chances for being
audited? Latest IRS data book provides some clues 2006 Data Book (Pub 55B, March 2007); IR 2007-63
Corporations
Mark H.
Misselbeck, C.P.A., M.S.T.
Levine,
Katz, Nannis + Solomon, P.C.
(781)
453-8700 MMisselbeck@LKNSCPA.com
1. CCH - IRS
Issues Temporary and Proposed Code Sec. 199 Regulations Reflecting TIPRA
Changes (T.D. 9293; NPRM REG-127819-06)
4. CCH - LTR-RUL, UIL No. 0301.00-00 Distributions of
property. UIL No. 0338.01-02 Certain stock purchases treated as asset acquisitions;
Express election; Time in which election must be made. UIL No. 9100.06-00
Extension of time for making certain elections; Section 338(g); Election under
section 1.338-1T(c)(1). IRS Letter Ruling 200646013 (
6. CCH - NEWS-FEDERAL, 2007TAXDAY, (Dec. 14, 2006),
Item #J.2, Corporation Could Not Allocate Portion of Stock Redemption Price to
Officer's Covenant Not to Compete (Becker,
TC Memo)
7. CCH - LTR-RUL, UIL No. 0332.00-00 Complete
liquidation of subsidiaries. UIL No. 0351.00-00 Transfer to corporation
controlled by transferor. IRS Letter Ruling 200701019 (
8. CCH - IRS-ANNCMT, 2007FED ¶46,314 Nonqualified
deferred compensation: Compliance resolution program: Discounted stock rights:
Backdated stock options. --, Announcement 2007-18 I.R.B. 2007-9 (
10. CCH - LTR-RUL,
UIL No. 0263.13-00 Capital expenditures (Deductible v. not deductible);
Acquisition of property, intangibles. UIL No. 0461.06-01 General rule for
taxable year of deduction (Year paid v. not year paid); Incurred liabilities;
Accrual basis. IRS Letter Ruling 200709003 (
12. CCH - NEWS-FEDERAL, 2007TAXDAY, (Mar. 09, 2007),
Item #J.1, Non-CPA Accounting Firm Was Qualified Personal Services Corporation
Subject to Flat Tax (Rainbow Tax Service, TC)
13. CCH - NEWS-FEDERAL, 2007TAXDAY, (Mar. 20, 2007), Item
#I.1, Final, Temporary and Proposed Regulations Address Continuity of Interest
Requirement (T.D. 9316; NPRM REG-146247-06)
14. CCH - LTR-RUL, UIL No. 0355.00-00 Distribution of
stock and securities of a controlled corporation. UIL No. 0355.01-01 Distribution
of stock and securities of a controlled corporation; Spin-off; Split-off. IRS
Letter Ruling 200718019 (
S-Corporations
By: Maria Marchand
Outline
1. The 2007 Small Business & Work
2. S Corporation Can’t Deduct
Daycare for Shareholder’s Children - Settimo
v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo 2006-261 (
3. S Corporation Losses Denied Lack of
Basis—Related Party Transfer Loans Sid Paul Ruckriegel, et al. v. Commissioner,
TC Memo 2006-78(
4. Accuracy-Related
Substantial Understatement Penalties - Frederic
W. Thrane, Jr. v. Commissioner, TC Memo 2006-269 12/19/2006
5. Taxpayer Did Not Prove True Debt;
No Increase in S Corporation Basis Ellinger v.
6. S Corporation owners were denied
stepped-up basis claim for suspended loss carryback and refund on summary
judgement. ALPERT v.
Partnerships
By: Maria Marchand
Outline
1. The 2007 Small Business & Work
2. Updates
to Corporate and Partnership Tax Forms
3. Former IRS manager was denied
4. Entity Status-Disregarded Entities-
Limited Liability Protection; Stearn & Company, L.L.C. v.
5. Procedure-Partner's
Distributive Share Held in Escrow: Burke
v. Comm.,99 AFTR 2d 2007-941 (1st Cir.)
6. Income
Tax-Transfer of Partnership Property to Partner
7. IRS Attempt to Capitalize
Taxpayer's
8. In Touch
Properties, LLC, David England, Tax Matters Partner. v. Commissioner, TC
Memo 2007-105 , Code Sec(s) 7491.
Bankruptcy
Mark H.
Misselbeck, C.P.A., M.S.T.
Levine,
Katz, Nannis + Solomon, P.C.
(781) 453-8700 MMisselbeck@LKNSCPA.com
Practice
& Procedures
Mark H.
Misselbeck, C.P.A., M.S.T.
Levine,
Katz, Nannis + Solomon, P.C.
(781)
453-8700 MMisselbeck@LKNSCPA.com
TAX
ACCOUNTING
By: Lorraine A. Travers
I.
IRS Information
Letter 2006-0056—Acceleration of interest income reporting on U.S. Savings
Bonds
II.
Deduction of
Certain Meal and Incidental Expenses Allowed Ferryboat Captain—Bissonnette v. Comr., 127 T.C. No 10
(10/23/06)
III.
Sale of
Residence—Unforeseen Circumstance for Application of Gain Exemption—(A) PLR
200652041 & (B) PLR 200725018
IV.
TAM
200701031—Prior TAM Does not Prevent IRS from Requiring Change in Inventory
Method
V.
Laid-off
Mechanics Not Away from Home—Wasik v.
Comr., T. C. Memo 2007-148 (6/13/07) & Stockwell v. Comr., T. C. Memo 2007-149 (6/13/07)
VI.
PLR
200724012—Recovery of Previously Deducted Capital Loss Must be Reported as
Long-Term Capital Gain
VII.
Like-Kind
Exchanges: (A) Not Disqualified Because of Ownership by
Disqualified Persons—PLR 200724007; (B) Granted between Related Parties—PLR
200730002; (C) Swap between Related Parties—PLR 200706001
VIII.
Safe-Harbor
Accounting Method for Rotable Spare Parts—Rev. Proc. 2007-48
IX.
Rev. Proc.
2006-45 & 2006-46 for Automatic Changes of Accounting Period
X.
Note Considered
Advance Payment Includible in Income—Karns
Prime & Fancy Food Ltd., v. Comr., No. 06-1031 (3d Cir. 7/20/07)
XI.
Improper Election
Turns Ordinary Losses into Capital Losses—Knish
v. Comr., T. C. Memo, 2006-268
XII.
IRA Settlement
Award Can be Rolled Over—PLR 200705031
XIII.
Failure to Follow
Formalities Causes Loss of Medical Reimbursement Deduction--Francis v. Comr., T. C. Memo 2007-33 (2/8/07)
XIV.
Worthless loan by
Company Owner not a Deduction on Schedule C—Qualifies as Itemized Deduction—Graves v. Comr., No. 04-75843 (9th
Cir. 2/8/07)
XV.
Mischaracterized
Payments in divorce Decree are not Alimony—Burns
v. Comr., T. C. Summary 2007-43 (3/15/07)
XVI.
Loan to Potential
Client Resulted in Business Bad Debt—PLR 200714008
XVII.
Equestrian
Expenses Allowed as Part of Design Business—Topping
v. Comr., T. C. Memo, 2007-92 (4/17/07)
XVIII.
Fees for
Brokerage Accounts Are not Capital Costs—CCM 200721015
XIX.
Book Deal not a
Separate Activity—Business Deductions Denied—Xiong v. Comr., T.C. Summary 2007-96 (6/14/07)
XX.
Taxpayers May
Adopt Advance Trade Discount Method of Accounting—Rev. Proc. 2007-53--See also
#X above and Westpac Pacific Food v. Comr.,
451 F.3d 970 (9th Circ. 2006) Case
XXI.
Invalid §179
Election—SUV Expense Deduction Denied—Byard
v. Comr., T.C. Summary 2007-120 (7/17/07)
ESTATES,
GIFTS & TRUSTS OUTLINE
By: Lorraine A. Travers
Pensions/Deferred Comp
By: Christopher
E Pulick
1. Key
Provisions in the Pension Protection Act of 2006
2. Two
Key Provisions in the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006
3. Rollover from decedent's IRA to
surviving spouse's IRA kills 10% penalty tax exception Charlotte
and Charles T. Gee, 127 TC No. 1 (2006)
4. All payments under medical plan
reimbursing non-qualifying beneficiaries are taxable Rev Rul. 2006-36, 2006-36
IRB
5. Limited window to make tax-free IRA
distributions for charitable purposes Code Sec. 408(d)(8), as
amended by Pension Protection Act of 2006 § 1201(a)
6. Active-duty reservists get
retroactive penalty relief from early retirement withdrawals IR 2006-152
7. New guidance explains post-'06
rollover option for non-spouse beneficiaries of qualified plan accounts Notice 2007-7, 2007-5 IRB; IR 2007-7
8. IRS explains how older individuals
can make nontaxable transfers from IRAs to a charity Notice 2007-7, 2007-5 IRB; IR 2007-7
9.
2007 Pension Plan
Limits, Employee Benefits providing notification electronically, and Canadian
treaty update. Mandated E-filing for 5500’s.
10. Mandated
E-filing of 5500