The IRS Practice Series: Certificate Program (Currently Unavailable)
As closing the tax gap becomes a larger priority for the IRS, it's more important than ever for Circular 230 professionals to understand how to protect their clients during an audit. If you need additional insight to keep on top of all the complexities of audit actions, the 11-course IRS Practice Series from Wolters Kluwer can help you stay informed and deliver the best possible outcomes.
Why Take the IRS Practice Series?
Known as the tax gap, the difference between taxes owed, and the amount collected from taxpayers creates a deficit in expected revenues for the IRS. There are numerous reasons why taxpayers may be unable to pay part or all of a tax bill, and when this occurs, they rely on support from accountants, attorneys and other practitioners to represent their interests and achieve a fair outcome.
The activities of these practitioners are governed by Treasury Department Circular 230, which establishes regulations for who may represent a client before the IRS and how they may do so. Your clients rely on you to help resolve any IRS audit actions, as well as to safeguard them from predatory collections actions after a judgment. Just as importantly, you serve as a guide to help prevent audits by educating clients on taxation best practices. And as more and more taxpayers turn to free or low-cost online tax preparation services, the need for professional support during an audit continues to rise.
IRS Practice Series: Certificate Program
This series of IRS practice classes includes 11 courses created by author, podcast host and MarketWatch columnist, TaxMama® Eva Rosenberg. The self-study format allows you to work at your own pace and earn 22 continuing professional education (CPE) hours wherever it's most convenient — even on your mobile device. You'll receive a full year of access, downloadable course materials, instant grading, and a certificate of completion. Courses include:
With a step-by-step guide through the levy process, course participants learn more about why taxpayers are levied, how to avoid levies, and how levies are released.
Learn how to resolve collection issues with an overview of the qualifications for and benefits of each type of resolution, as well as a detailed guide to which resolutions offer the best outcome for each client.
Course participants learn more about the 433 Series Collection Information forms and the national standards that govern them. The course also addresses client expense planning to ensure the best deal possible.
An Offer-in-Compromise (OIC) allows taxpayers to reach an agreement with the IRS to pay less than the total owed. You'll receive a detailed 6-step guide to requesting an OIC to achieve a reasonable settlement for your client.
Get a clear review of the IRS Fast Track Mediation Program, as well as strategies for preparing your case during the Collections Appeal process. You'll learn more about how to support clients when you're unable to personally represent them to help resolve audits successfully.
Learn everything you need to know about managing conflicts of interest between spouses, business partners, and tax professionals. This course covers power of attorney, IRS interactions, client privacy issues, and guidelines for professional advertising.
During this course, you'll learn about taking over an audit, constructing records for clients who failed to utilize proper accounting methods, preparing records and power of attorney, as well as communicating with the IRS.
Are you familiar with the guidelines the IRS uses to compute penalties and interest? Course participants gain valuable computation tools, as well as strategies for penalty and interest reduction.
The audit process doesn't end with successful collections or OIC. During this course, you'll learn more about the complexities of closing letters, lien release, adjustment of tax attributes, and amending prior federal and state returns.
It's essential that Circular 230 practitioners recognize and avoid conflicts of interest, as well as when to step away from clients who experience them. Course participants learn more about conflict of interest rules, Karen Hawkins conflicts, disclosures, and other important issues, as well as helpful resources for future use.
While some clients face difficult tax situations only once or twice, others need additional counseling to reform poor habits. This course covers common reasons for tax delinquency and includes a 12-step program to build better practices. You'll also learn which clients to avoid to protect the success of your business.
Total: 11 courses (22 CPE hours)
