CPE Catalog & Events

Each week’s topics will change based on the most critical issues affecting financial professionals

Overcoming the Common Obstacles to Public Speaking Fear of rejection/ failure and how to overcome From Unconscious Incompetence to Unconscious Competence Toastmasters and practicing by video Act “As If,” Do One Breath Technique to be more relaxed Creating the Content of the Talk What are the concerns of your audience? Talks consist of a title, an introduction, an opening, a body of content, a conclusion and a closing How to Deliver a Talk Effectively The clothes you wear and how you look matter Charisma = energy Smile and act enthusiastic Use self deprecating humor Making the Talk Entertaining Vary the speed of your delivery The Power of stories Memorization and Practice Key word system and note cards Practice thru video or get feedback through others Creating Stories that Rock

Preparing a valid Appeals Protest for small case requests when tax, penalties, and interest for each period are $25,000 or less Writing and filing a Formal Protest, including required information Alternative Dispute Resolution options available to clients Negotiation and time limitations Preparing and submitting a Tax Court petition to preserve a client’s rights

CPA becoming attuned to broad based business knowledge, professional skepticism, and subordination of judgment The future of medical care in the United States in a post COVID-19 environment Future of social security and impact on retirement planning and employee retention Impact on financial executive if the dollar is no longer the world currency “Fate of the States” – will the location of your business make you less competitive Future of workmen’s compensation and unemployment compensation Future of interest rates Impact of greater reliance on technology AICPA top 10 trends and technologies National infrastructure ESG and DEI trends in the global economy Impact of continuing uncertainty in markets

Schedules K-2 and K-3 and filing exceptions Form 7203  IRS Tax Pro Account  IRS modernization initiatives Information Returns Intake System (IRIS) Identity Theft warnings   IRS guidance for the marijuana industry  “Recycled” Form 1099-NEC to report nonemployee compensation  Form 1065 steps for reporting capital  Centralized audit regime; late filing penalties and small partnership relief  “Substance over Form” argument of shareholder loans  Advanced study of “At-Risk” loans  Employer W-2 correction requests  White House 2025 Budget Points  Don't get caught watching the paint dry -- What is hot and new  What is terminating S corporations today?  Special allocation issues of §704  Final regulations for allocating depreciation recapture to partners and members of LLCs 

Congressional Budget Reconciliation Process - explore how this powerful legislative tool allows Congress to fast track tax law changes and how it could be used to enact significant tax reforms in the current political climate President Trump's tax proposals - review key components of President Trump's tax agenda, including a tip income exemption, overtime pay relief, Social Security tax exemption, auto loan interest deductibility, SALT deduction modifications, a lower corporate tax rate, restoration of 100% bonus depreciation, immediate R&D expensing, and permanent extension of select TCJA provisions Potential expiration of select TCJA provisions - understand the implications for individual and business taxpayers as key provisions of the TCJA approach sunset dates Tariff policy and implementation - analyze the use of tariffs as a fiscal and trade policy tool Digital assets and tax implications - understand the new Form 1099-DA for reporting digital asset transactions, along with updated IRS guidance on cryptocurrencies, NFTs, and broker responsibilities Artificial intelligence - discover how AI and generative tools are transforming tax practices, as well as how the IRS is leveraging AI to enhance audit selection Form 1099-K reporting requirements - understand the evolving IRS thresholds and rules for third-party payment platforms The Gig Economy - examine key tax implications for gig workers, including Independent Contractor vs. Employee classification challenges, reporting responsibilities, and the impact of the 2024 Department of Labor Final Rule on worker status Timely coverage of breaking tax legislation Real Estate professional requirements Review of pertinent cases and rulings affecting taxpayers Practice aids, including all the numbers applicable for the current year -- inflation-adjusted amounts, mileage rates, retirement contributions, and more Advanced practice, reporting, and other issues intertwined with advanced planning and discussion ideas

Technology Cybersecurity

Employment at will — what this means in a practical sense Implied employment contracts What a prospective employer can ask about, and test for, during employment interviews Federal anti-discrimination rules applicable to hiring and firing How to discipline or fire an employee and not get sued FMLA/ADA/PWFA — Pregnant Worker’s Fairness Act Constructive discharge — what is it and how it affects your business?

How does the IRC define an installment sale under IRC Sec 453? When can a taxpayer utilize the provisions of IRC Sec 453? When should a taxpayer utilize the provisions of an installment sale and when should it be avoided? How does the issue of a “dealer” vs. a “non-dealer” impact the use of the installment sale method? Reporting an installment sale when related parties are involved Calculating an installment sale How has the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act impacted the use of the installment sale method?

Detailed coverage of calculating the combined qualified business income amount (i.e., QBI component and REIT/PTP component) Determine what trade or businesses under §162 are eligible for the QBI deduction (i.e., rentals and specified service trades or businesses (SSTB)) Discuss how the 20% QBI deduction (i.e., QBI component) is subject to a wage/capital limitation and SSTB income is phased-out for taxpayers with taxable income above the inflation adjusted threshold amounts Walk through the simplified QBI Form 8995 (i.e., taxpayers below the TI threshold amounts) and detailed Form 8995-A and related schedules Determine what wages and unadjusted basis immediately after acquisition (UBIA) are for those subject to the wage and capital limitations Look at what the definition of QBI is and what items are effectively connected with that trade or business (i.e., self-employment tax, health insurance, retirement plans) Review the aggregation rules for the QBI computation and both the entity and individual level Walk through the reporting responsibilities of partnerships and S corporations to their owners on the Schedule K-1s Explain how the modifications to the net operating losses (NOLs) and §461(l) excess business loss limitations affect the QBI computation

New and expanded energy credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Preparation of various Form 1040 individual tax returns and schedules; provided answers include “filled-in” forms  Coverage of Form 7203  Coverage of §199A qualified business income, its calculation, limitations, and examples  Dividends and interest – Ordinary, return of capital, and capital gain distribution dividends; tax-exempt interest, original issue discount, etc.  Security transactions – From Form 1099-B to Form 8949 to Schedule D, plus mutual fund sales and related basis issues  Self-employed person issues  Schedule C deductions including depreciation  Sale and exchange of property – Understanding Form 4797 and depreciation recapture; capital gains  A working understanding of passive losses – How to handle rental property and how the passive loss rules flow to the tax forms  Itemized deductions – A thorough understanding of what’s deductible and what’s not  Interest deductions – Limitations and timing problems  Charitable contributions substituting for taxes, IRS says – No!  Retirement contributions and education credits and deductions  Tax computations – The Kiddie Tax, AMT, regular tax, tax credits  Individual problems illustrated by form preparation for various items, with numerous “practice tips”  Impact of recent legislation and forms changes on the 1040 

Identifying the acquirer and the acquisition date Recognition and measurement issues on the acquisition date Intangible assets Deferred income taxes Stock options

Research & Development Tax Credit Work Opportunity Tax Credit COVID-19 Tax Credits Opportunity Zones GO-Biz Incentives Employment Training Panel

Be familiar with the nature and sources of difficult behaviors in the workplace, as well as strategies for addressing them Understand a proven formula for handling difficult people Utilize a problem-solving model to brainstorm strategies for working effectively with challenging individuals Implement a step-by-step process to resolve conflicts between yourself and others within your organization Apply the hostility curve as a tool to maintain control in situations involving angry or upset individuals Implement new strategies for managing your emotions in difficult interactions Understand the impact of attitude on interactions with others Create a personalized action plan for applying course strategies in your workplace

Eligibility for Medicare How to apply for  Medicare Introduction to Parts A, B, C, and D of Medicare Payments for Parts B and D of Medicare: the higher costs imposed on higher income beneficiaries Late enrollment penalties Medicare Advantage in lieu of original Medicare The Affordable Care Act’s impact on Medicare Legislative and regulatory developments

What stock options are and why they are growing in popularity How stock options work, including the process of conveyance and vesting How to exercise stock options and the implications from doing so The risks associated with stock options and how to manage exposure Tax consequences and updates regarding stock options Strategies for selecting the best time to exercise stock options The difference between the two types of stock options: non-qualified and incentive The basic terminology relevant to owning and exercising options

What states do not have an income tax? What is the relevance to employers? Where does an employer have an obligation to withhold state taxes for an employee? At what point does an employee become a resident? Where is unemployment paid for an out of state employee?

Technology Cybersecurity

Emerging technologies AI and RPA Blockchain and 5G Gear & Gadgets Internet-of-Things