Existing Oil Tax Credit Available for First Time in a Decade... [ read ]
Since 2006, the enhanced oil recovery credit ("EORC") has been unavailable to taxpayers who operate in the energy sector. However, recent reductions in the realized prices of oil have once again made the EORC relevant for tax year 2016.
Without Further Ado, The Proposed Regulations Under Section 2704... [ read ]
Two days ago, the Treasury released the much-awaited proposed regulations under § 2704. If finalized in their current form, they will likely drastically change the landscape of estate planning with family controlled entities by severely curtailing (if not eliminating) minority and marketability discounts largely predicated on liquidation restrictions. Some of the major changes include the closing of perceived loop holes in § 2704's definition of applicable restrictions; namely, state law restrictions, assignee interests, and interests held by nonfamily members.
The IRS Takes a Small but Important Step in Clarifying the New Partnership Audit Rules... [ read ]
Late last year, Congress passed legislation that sought to remove and replace the current audit rules for partnerships under TEFRA. The new rules apply to make the partnership entity liable for taxes and penalties due on the income and expense adjustments that the IRS makes to a partnership's return. Today the IRS issued its first set of interpretative temporary regulations offering needed (albeit limited) guidance regarding the new partnership audit regime.
Debt Restructuring Can Cause Cancellation of Indebtedness Income... [ read ]
A possibility discussed in our May 6, 2016 Meadows Collier Talks Tax Blog post, "Master Limited Partnerships and Cancellation of Indebtedness Income," has come to pass. Atlas Resources is the last in a series of Master Limited Partnerships which are renegotiating their debts to third parties and vendors.
Do You Have an "All Cash" Real Estate Deal in San Antonio or Bexar County, Texas? Additional Government Disclosures May Be Required... [ read ]
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a new Geographic Targeting Order (GTO) that requires U.S. title insurance companies to identify the natural persons behind companies used to pay "all cash" for high-end residential real estate in six major metropolitan areas. FinCEN is monitoring whether real estate transactions involving "all cash" (i.e. without bank financing) in deals where the purchasers are limited liability companies, or other business structures that are not transparent, are being used to hide assets related to possible criminal activity.
The Statute of Limitations for Assessment: The Taxpayer's Ultimate Defense to the IRS' Assessment of Additional Tax... [ read ]
One of the questions taxpayers regularly ask is: How long does the IRS have to propose and assess additional tax? Or as some taxpayers put it, " How long before I can be sure I am safe from the IRS"? In this blog post, I will discuss the general rules relating to the statute of limitations (SOL) on assessment and the exceptions to the general rule.
IRS Begins Accepting Applications for Certified Professional Employer Organizations (CPEOs)... [ read ]
In a previous blog post , I generally discussed passage of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 ("TIPA") and its overall positive impact on employers who relied on the services of professional employment organizations ("PEOs") for payroll processing and employment tax payments.
IRS Administrative Summons to a Third Party: The Recipient's and Taxpayer's Duties and Rights... [ read ]
In a previous blog post, I discussed the duties and rights of a taxpayer who receives an IRS administrative summons for records or testimony. In this blog post, I will discuss the duties and rights of a third party who receives an IRS summons for records or testimony and the taxpayer's right and duties with regard to a third party summons.
IRS Administrative Summons to a Taxpayer: The Taxpayer's Duties and Rights... [ read ]
In most IRS examinations, the taxpayer and the IRS prefer an informal information-gathering process with the IRS issuing Information Document Requests (IDRs) and the taxpayer providing responses. However, there are circumstances where the issuance of an IRS administrative summons to the taxpayer for documents and/or testimony becomes necessary. When the IRS issues an administrative summons, it is very important that the taxpayer and the taxpayers' representative understand the taxpayer's duties and rights in responding.
IRS Announces Procedure for Seeking a Return of Property Seized in Legally Sourced Structuring Cases... [ read ]
On June 16, 2016, the IRS announced a new procedure for taxpayers who have had their property seized to file a petition for remission or mitigation. The IRS has identified more than 700 taxpayers that it believes may qualify, and the IRS has been notifying these taxpayers by mail over the past month.
