International Issues
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A Necessary Conversation: Explaining FBAR Filings to the Uninitiated

Explaining FBAR Filings to the Uninitiated This is not the normal Briefly Taxing post.  Usually, I post articles written exclusively for the blog, but today I am excited to post an article I wrote for someone else. In late July, I received a comment on the blog from an editor at Bloomberg Law, saying that she had read one of my posts, and asking whether I would be willing to write for them.   I

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Scott St. Amand September 3, 2021
Procedural Issues
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On Penalties and Burdens

A burden is a burden, right?  A thirty-three-year-old man-child, living in his mother’s basement, with a Cheeto-stained, self-described “ironical” mustache, then yes.  That’s a burden, no matter how you slice it.  No need to prove it or to produce evidence to support it.  He’s a bum and a burden.  Shave the flavor saver, and get a damn job, hippie. Proof and production, though.  Six of one, half a dozen of another?  Not when it comes

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Scott St. Amand August 30, 2021
Procedural Issues
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Perfection of Imperfect CDP Appeals

On Latin Nerdery and Perfection of Imperfect CDP Appeals If you have read many of the posts on Briefly Taxing, it should come as no surprise to you that I was a Latin nerd in high school…and college…and at present. The truth of the matter is that I competed nationally, my specialty being Greek mythology. My sophomore year of high school I missed a single question on the national exam. One question. My Latin teacher,

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Scott St. Amand August 12, 2021
Income Tax Issues
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The Test for Profit Motive: Allowance of Deductions under IRC § 183 Test

What factors aid the Tax Court in deciding when an activity is entered into with a “profit motive” (with allowable ordinary and necessary expenses) versus a hobby (where losses may be taken only up to the amount of profit received)? Taxpayers can deduct all ordinary and necessary expenses paid or incurred in carrying on a trade or business,[1] for the production or collection of income,[2] or for the management, conservation, or maintenance of property held

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Scott St. Amand July 15, 2021
Procedural Issues
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The Truth about Amending Tax Returns

Clients are untrustworthy.  As a tax controversy attorney, this is my experience. I have heard that other types of law deals with more honorable sorts, but I’ll believe it when I see it.  When a client comes to you and says “whoopsie, I forgot to report [insert absurdly large number here] on my return, what should I do?” what should you tell him?  What if the IRS has already discovered the understatement?  Is he under

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Scott St. Amand July 13, 2021
Income Tax Issues
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Grantor Trusts – Part IV of IV – Retained Powers and Non-Grantor Owners

In Part I of this series on Grantor Trusts, we look at the nature of trusts in general.  In Part II, we shift to a look at grantor trusts, and a few definitional rules.  In Part III and Part IV, we take a deep dive into the interests that a grantor may retain that will cause a trust to be treated as a grantor trust as well as instances in which a person other than

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Scott St. Amand July 5, 2021
Income Tax Issues
All Articles

Grantor Trusts – Part III of IV – Reversionary Interests and Powers to Control Beneficial Enjoyment

In Part I of this series on Grantor Trusts, we look at the nature of trusts in general.  In Part II, we shift to a look at grantor trusts, and a few definitional rules.  In Part III and Part IV, we take a deep dive into the interests that a grantor may retain that will cause a trust to be treated as a grantor trust as well as instances in which a person other than

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Scott St. Amand July 5, 2021
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Redefining Your Financial Outlook for Greater Life Success
Guest Post

Redefining Your Financial Outlook for Greater Life Success Guest Writer:  Michael Longsdon of ElderFreedom.net* It’s a powerful realization that our financial success is deeply intertwined with our money mindset. This article will guide you through the steps to rewire your perception of money and to redefine your financial outlook, opening

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Scott St. Amand November 28, 2023

Ultimate Guide to Managing Business Finances for Entrepreneurs
Guest Post

Guest Writer:  Michael Longsdon of ElderFreedom.net* As an entrepreneur, managing the finances of your business can be a daunting task, which is why this Guide to Managing Business Finances for Entrepreneurs was created. It is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed, especially if you lack experience in finance. However, good financial

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Scott St. Amand June 26, 2023

Norberg v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2022-30

On April 5, 2022, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Norberg v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2022-30). The primary issue presented in Norberg v. Commissioner was whether the settlement officer abused its discretion in upholding a notice of intent to levy and denying the petitioners’ request

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Scott St. Amand January 24, 2023

Salter v. Commissioner
T.C. Memo. 2022-29

On April 5, 2022, the Tax Court issued a Memorandum Opinion in the case of Salter v. Commissioner (T.C. Memo. 2022-29). The primary issues presented in Salter v. Commissioner were (i) whether the Code section providing exception from imposition of additional tax resulting from early distribution from retirement plan applied;

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Scott St. Amand November 23, 2022