Prose by Tax Pros - Another Article by Hale E. Sheppard

Nov 06 2024 113 ep. 43 mins 2

Prose by Tax Pros - Another Article by Hale E. Sheppard Podcast artwork

Most tax “articles” published these days are just summaries, not substance. Their lack of context, critical thought, and practical solutions often leaves readers with more questions than answers. Breaking this trend, the articles accessible here provide rare insight about complicated tax issues, making them both interesting and understandable. Please listen in for a series of articles, written by an attorney dedicated to tax disputes and international tax, previously published in major journals, and read by professionals.

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Improper ERC Claims: IRS vs. Taxpayers vs. Payroll Companies

Nov 06 2024 24 mins

When people think about tax enforcement, they rarely consider the IRS attacking payroll companies based on benefits they claimed for their clients, but this is happening with the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”). What makes this more interesting is that the IRS is attacking both payroll companies and their clients thanks to their joint liability in certain situations. This rea

A Look at the Second ERC Voluntary Disclosure Program

Oct 30 2024 33 mins

Congress introduced the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) more than four years ago, but serious enforcement actions are just now getting underway. The IRS, as one part of its comprehensive strategy, has been implementing a multi-step plan designed to convince taxpayers to willingly return ERC payments that they did not deserve in the first place. This article, the latest in a

Altered, Backdated and Inconsistent Documents Aren’t Enough for Fraud

Oct 23 2024 30 mins

Taxpayers who engage in tax fraud face serious consequences, including steep penalties, endless assessment-periods, prolonged trials, reputational damage, and more. Mere allegations of fraud by the IRS can trigger these types of damaging outcomes. Cynics often argue that this is precisely the reason the IRS sometimes claims that fraud occurred in the first place. Fortunately for ta

The Latest on Foreign Trusts: Enforcement Actions, Relief Measures, New Cases, Proposed Regulations, and More

Oct 10 2024 29 mins

Things constantly evolve when it comes to U.S. tax and information-reporting duties for foreign trusts. A major challenge for taxpayers is keeping up with all the changes because they derive from different sources, in different contexts, at different times. In an effort to clarify and update matters, this article offers a summary of foreign trust rules, followed by a chronological

Private Placement Life Insurance: Potential Tax Changes and Reasons Why

Sep 11 2024 32 mins

Are taxpayers who acquire Private Placement Life Insurance (“PPLI”) doing something wrong? Certain politicians and academics think so. They argue that taxpayers who have the financial ability to purchase PPLI are somehow “abusing” the system. This article explains the general tax rules favoring life insurance policyholders and their beneficiaries, recent reports and cases p

How the IRS Can Recapture ERC Refunds and Interest

Sep 04 2024 20 mins

Congress instructed the IRS to publish guidance on specific, limited issues related to the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”). The IRS did so, first issuing regulations about its ability to recapture “erroneous refunds,” followed by additional regulations about its authority to grab related interest payments. These new rules, if they withstand scrutiny, will enhance the IRS�

Erroneous Refund Suits for ERCs and the Effects of a Novel Case

Aug 27 2024 25 mins

Enforcement actions regarding Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) claims are on the uptick. An important question is how long the IRS and the Department of Justice have to carry out their missions. The normal rules on timing are straightforward, but things get complicated when one considers exceptions, special rules for particular quarters, potential changes contemplated by Congr

Expatriation, Form 8854, Invalidation of IRS Notice, and Next Steps

Aug 21 2024 35 mins

Many taxpayers parting ways with the United States must file Form 8854 (Initial and Annual Expatriation Statement). Failure to do so is problematic because it can expose taxpayers to the notorious “exit tax.” Few people have seemed to notice, but significant changes might be on the way. This article analyzes worldwide obligations of U.S. individual taxpayers, exit taxes, founda

IRS Attempts to Reduce Warnings to Taxpayers about Making Third-Party Contacts

Aug 14 2024 32 mins

The IRS tries to gather as much information and documentation as possible when conducting an audit. It attempts to get the data directly from the taxpayer, but it often turns to other sources, too. This is called making third-party contacts. The IRS has been criticized over the years for giving insufficient warnings to taxpayers before starting third-party contacts, and Congress to

Evaluating Three Conservation Easement Settlement Offers

Aug 07 2024 30 mins

Conservation easement disputes have lasted nearly a decade and the end is far for clear. What is apparent, though, is that the IRS is now eager conclude as many cases as possible, and fast. Why? The IRS might be concerned about losing a major case on valuation issues, which could unleash many taxpayer victories in later cases. Another possibility is that the IRS wants to clear its