Tax Fundamentals Flashcards
(109 cards)
Who provides the official interpretation of the Tax Code
US Treasury Department
What is the highest source of authority next to the Code. Regulations have the full force and effect of law.
Treasury Department Regulations
What is the Internal Revenue Bulletin (IRB)
Announces official rulings and procedures of the IRS, and publishes Treasury decisions, Executive Orders, Tax Conventions, legislation, court decisions, and other items of general interest.
Rules & Reg’s do not have have the full force of law
Revenue Rulings
Interpretations of the tax law with regard to taxable income, deductions, credits.
Do not have the full force of law
Gives guidance to IRS personnel and taxpayers
Revenue Procedures
Internal Management practices & procedures of the IRS as they affect the rights or duties of a taxpayer under the law
IRS uses Revenue Procedures to distribute info to general public
What are Letter Rulings?
at request of tax payer, the National Office of the IRS will describe it’s position on specific tax issue.
- applies only to taxpayer who requested it
- IRS does not publish PLR’s
- PLR cannot be cited as precedent by anyone other than taxpayer
Determination Letters
issued by area district director in response to a taxpayer request regarding a completed transation
Technical Advice Memorandum (TAM)
a ruling by the IRS National Office prompted by a request from an agent performing an audit who needs clarification that cannot be provided by the local office
The Federal Judicial System has three trial courts..what are they
- US District Court - Jury available
- US Court of Federal Claims - No Jury
- US Tax Court - No Jury (19 Judges)
US District Court - Features and Characteristics
- Tax/Nontax legal matters, 1 Judge per court
2. Jury available. Taxpayer must first pay any deficiency
US Court of Federal Claims
- 16 Judges, Monetary Cases against US
- No Jury
- Taxpayer must pay deficiency first and then sue for refund
- Court base decisions on appeals decisions rendered by federal district Court of Appeals, not the Circuit Court of Appeals
US Tax Court
- 19 Judges, Tax Cases
- Taxpayer does not have to pay deficiency prior to trial
- Small Case Division - $50k of less. No Appeal allowed
US Appellate Courts
- 11 Geographical Circuit Courts of appeals
2. District Courts, Tax Court, and Court of Federal Claims must follow this court’s precendents
Research Institute of American (RIA) publishes…
Federal Tax Coordinator - multi volume, tax planning strategies
Commerce Clearing House
Publishes Standard Federal Tax Reporter…IRC regulations
Business Purpose Doctrine
Transaction to be effective for income tax purposes, it is intended to achieve genuine business purpose
Substance over form doctrine
IRS looks through the legal formalities of a transaction to determine it’s economic substance
Assignment of Income Doctrine
known as ‘the fruit and the tree” - taxpayer who earns the income and is the source of the income cannot assign the income to someone else for income tax purposes. Taxpayer will be taxed on the income
Tax Benefit Rule of Doctrine
this rule converts nontaxable receipts into taxable income. Taxpayer is reimbursed medical expenses paid and deducted in previous year. Because the taxpayer received a tax benefit via the previous year’s medical deduction, the application of the rule results in the taxability of the medical reimbursements
Constructive Receipt Doctrine
No substantial limitation or restriction on taxpayer’s right to bring the funds under the personal control, the income is taxed to the taxpayer. Example: payroll check issued on Dec 31 but picked up in Jan. Still must be declared in the year it was written.
Income from Partnerships
- Income taxed to partners at their own individual rate
- Partnership file an informational return (Form 1065)
- Each partner receives a K-1 indicating his share of income
- Income from General Partnership K-1 is typically self employment income
S Corporations Income
- Shareholders, rather then the corporation, pay tax on S Corporations Income
- Shareholder’s receive K-1
- EE of S Corp will received W-2
Income in Respect of a Decedent (IRD)
- Income generated by assets of estate that is distributed from the estate to beneficiaries
- Any income not distributed is generally taxed to the estate/trust according to estate and trust tax schedule
Income in Community Property States
1 One-half of earnings for each spouse considered owned by the
other spouse.
2. Spouses living apart in Community Property States - spouse (former spouse) will be taxed only on the their own actual earnings if they live apart for entire year, do not file a joint return, and do not transfer any of the income between themselves during the year