Top Federal Tax Issues for 2011 CPE Course

Each year, a handful of tax issues typically require special attention by tax practitioners. The reasons vary, from a particularly complicated new provision in the Internal Revenue Code, to a planning technique opened up by a new regulation or ruling, or the availability of a significant tax benefit with a short window of opportunity. Sometimes a developing business need creates a new set of tax problems, or pressure exerted by Congress or the Administration puts more heat on some taxpayers while giving others more slack. All these share in creating a unique mix that in turn creates special opportunities and pitfalls in the coming year. The past year has seen more than its share of these developments.

CCH’s Top Federal Tax Issues for 2011 CPE Course identifies the events of the past year that have developed into “hot” issues. These tax issues have been selected as particularly relevant to tax practice in 2011. They have been selected not only because of their impact on return preparation during the 2010 tax season but also because of the important role they play in developing effective tax strategies for 2011. Some issues are outgrowths of several years of developments; others have burst onto the tax scene unexpectedly.

Among the latter are issues directly related to the recent economic downturn. Some have been emphasized in IRS publications and notices; others are too new or too controversial to be noted by the IRS either in depth or at all.

This course is designed to help reassure the tax practitioner that he or she is not missing out on advising clients about a hot, new tax opportunity or is not susceptible to being blindsided by a brewing controversy. In short, it is designed to give the tax practitioner a closer look into the opportunities and pitfalls presented by the changes. Among the topics examined in the Top Federal Tax Issues for 2011 CPE Course are:

• Health Care Incentives and Responsibilities for Small Businesses
• Worker Classification: Employment Taxes Issues
• Trends in Business Structures/Entity Formation
• Wealth Building Under Changing Tax Laws
• Individuals: Handling Losses and Debts
• Business Disclosure Rules in Transition
• New Challenges for Nonprofits
• Retirement Plan Compliance Rules