Tax in Action: Practical Strategies for Tax Pros

Jeremy breaks down the complex world of work-related education tax benefits, revealing why most educational expenses aren't as deductible as business owners think. He explains the stark difference between limited educational assistance programs that cap benefits at $5,250 annually and business expense deductions that often get rejected by the IRS for qualifying taxpayers for "new trades or busines...

Understanding the refund statute of limitations can mean the difference between claiming a refund and losing that money forever. This episode breaks down the complex rules around when taxpayers can file refund claims and how much they can recover, using the recent Hamilton v. US case as a cautionary tale. Whether you're dealing with late-filed returns, amended returns, or clients who've fallen beh...

Most tax professionals assume joint filing is the default for married couples, but the tax code actually says the opposite. Jeremy Wells explores the surprising reality that married filing separately is technically the default status, requiring both spouses to elect joint filing under IRC Section 6013. He breaks down the key disadvantages of separate returns—from reduced credits to income limitati...

Jeremy Wells breaks down the fundamentals of Section 1031 exchanges, explaining how real estate investors can defer capital gains taxes by swapping properties rather than selling and buying separately. He clarifies common misconceptions about these transactions, walks through the strict timing requirements including the 45-day identification and 180-day completion rules, and examines court cases t...

Jeremy dives deep into the critical red flags that should make tax professionals pump the brakes on S-corporation elections. From balance sheet debt ratios that could trigger unexpected taxable events to operating agreement provisions that can inadvertently terminate S-elections, this episode challenges the "default to S-corp" mentality that's become prevalent in tax advisory circles. Jeremy break...

The R&D tax credit offers significant tax-saving potential, yet remains misunderstood by many small business owners and their advisors. Jeremy breaks down the key components of the Section 41 credit, explaining qualified research activities, eligible expenses, and calculation methods. Small service-based businesses might qualify more often than they realize, especially when research activities...

Solar installations create valuable tax benefits, but determining eligible expenses requires careful analysis. Jeremy Wells breaks down the Residential Clean Energy Credit under IRC Section 25D, explaining which costs qualify, how to handle roof modifications, and when the credit can be claimed. The episode provides essential guidance for tax professionals encountering clean energy improvements on...