Most review techniques developed by professionals are self-taught and fine-tuned via experience. Yet how does one start? The purpose of this course is to give both new and seasoned reviewers additional and advanced procedures via a multitude of checklists to more thoroughly review S corporation and partnership tax returns. Its emphasis is not planning; rather, it is to develop a strategy to properly review a return effectively and thoroughly. The course includes dozens of practice tips for new reviewers and is updated for impacts of newly enacted legislation.
Major Topics
- Reviews of portions of error-prone staff-prepared Forms 1120S and 1065 from client-provided information
- What are common errors preparers make and what are the areas generating malpractice claims?
- Initial administrative groundwork
- The importance of Schedule M-1
- Reporting requirements for Schedules K-2 and K-3
- Dont fall prey to reporting oddities
- When can seemingly separately stated Schedule K items actually be trade or business items to report on Forms 1120S or 1065, page 1?
- Form 1120S What exactly is terminating S elections today? How do I recognize a second class of stock? Maintaining shareholder basis schedules; beware of final IRS regulations regarding open debt; the default method of calculating basis versus the election under 1367; can an S corporation distribute earnings and profits from C corporation years?
- Form 1065 Why use 704(b) to maintain capital accounts; 704(c) regulations for preventing the shifting of tax consequences among partners or members; allocating recourse, nonrecourse, and qualified nonrecourse debt; a review of 754 step-up in basis rules
- Multiple checklists of efficient procedures to identify potential issues on an 1120S or 1065 tax return
Learning Objectives
- Expand the process involved in reviewing applicable tax returns
- Identify the most common areas that result in errors
- Document a review, including consideration of risk management