Tax Topics

A stretch IRA is an estate planning strategy that extends the life of an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) by allowing the original beneficiary to distribute the assets to a designated second generation beneficiary. This strategy allows the IRA to be passed on from generation to generation while extending its tax-deferred growth for years or decades […]

Glen E. Frost, Esq., CPA, Managing Partner For many years, the persistent call for change in the taxation of American corporations and individuals abroad has gone unanswered. However, the current administration’s actions, suggest the very real possibility of new tax rules, sooner rather than later. Indeed, assuming no major legislative disturbance or some catastrophe, such […]

On April 5, 2018, the Chief Counsel’s Office provided advice in Notice CC-2018-005 to Chief Counsel attorneys who handle I.R.C. §7345 passport actions. The Chief Counsel’s Office detailed both the certification and reversal processes for “seriously delinquent taxpayers,” as well as the procedures for the judicial review of certifications. Lastly, the Notice indicates that since […]

Glen E. Frost, Managing Partner The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) considers a passive activity as any activity involving the conduct of a trade or business in which the taxpayer does not materially participate.1Rental activity is considered a per se passive activity, regardless of the taxpayer’s participation level, unless the taxpayer can demonstrate that he or […]

As cryptocurrency continues to inspire global awareness and dialogue, the news in the US has mostly focused on its regulation as a commodity; however, very recently, states like Arizona and Georgia are on the brink of recognizing Bitcoin, and its kin, as currency–allowing people to pay their tax bill with it. While neither state has […]

This article looks at four tax return “red flags” that supposedly trigger audits and whether they actually do. Whenever tax season rolls around, articles quickly pop up on social media and on online news sites about how tax filers could inadvertently increase their risk of an audit. While some of this advice is true, much […]

Glen E. Frost, Esq., CPA, CFP® On December 20, 2018, Congressman George Holding (R-North Carolina) introduced the Tax Fairness for Americans Abroad Act of 2018 (H.R. 7358) (TFAA)—a long-awaited residency-based tax bill with the very real potential to provide the framework necessary to ultimately replace the current US citizenship-based taxation regime. As drafted, TFAA would […]

Eli Noff, Esq., Partner In 2017, the Maryland Student Debt Relief Tax Credit was implemented to provide eligible Maryland taxpayers, even those who have already graduated, with at least a modicum of student loan forgiveness from the state government.[1]In January of 2019, Governor Hogan announced the program’s results for tax year 2018, noting that Maryland […]

Dear IRS, My name is Jenny, and I’m one of millions of American citizens living abroad*. I met my Canadian-born husband Frank while in college in the U.S., and I returned with him to Canada so he could work in his family business. As you well know, as a U.S. citizen, I am required to […]

Eli Noff, Esq.,Partner As we’ve previously reported, in Notice 2014-21,1the IRS considers virtual currency to be property rather than fiat money. The Notice, however, is silent as to whether virtual currency is reportable on Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts(FBAR). For purposes of the FBAR, all foreign financial accounts must be reported […]