Agents Telephone Seminars - Training Resources

Current Issues in Real Estate Title and Title Insurance BenefitsThis teleconference is a nuts-and-bolts program designed to give you real life practical information to facilitate the closing of commercial and residential real estate transactions. You'll gain insight into the workings of the title industry to better prepare you to anticipate problems and assist in developing solutions to ultimately close the transaction. This teleconference will  more...

Sales and Use Tax Determination Headaches BenefitsSales and use tax professionals are faced with the legal and practical challenges of learning as many as 50 different state sales and use tax laws and regulations. No one could possibly learn all of the different state requirements and yet our jobs demand it! The purpose of this teleconference is to reveal the secrets to working in a multistate environment. You will learn about the four  more...

Understanding the Apportionment Rules for Service-Based Businesses BenefitsApportionment of income for state tax purposes is 'where the rubber meets the road.' That is to say, the complex and varied rules for determining a taxpayer's state income tax apportionment percentage can provide opportunities - with careful planning - for state tax minimization or create traps - without such planning - that lead to multiple taxation. Service-based businesses face  more...

Structuring and Drafting Conservation Easements BenefitsCreating a conservation easement can be complicated and the failure to consider the effects of possible pitfalls can be devastating. This teleconference will provide you with the legalities of creating a conservation easement and establish what the priorities are when it comes to structuring and drafting them. You will gain an appreciation for the complexities of crafting a form of  more...

Form 990 and Unrelated Business Income BenefitsThis teleconference will involve a detailed discussion of the 2008 Form 990 and any changes for 2009, including tips and traps. If you are involved with 990s, you know the effort it takes to complete the form accurately. With renewed emphasis on the filing due to congressional attention and IRS audit activity, this teleconference will go through the respective parts of the form in detail,  more...

Partnerships and Section 704(c) BenefitsMany tax professionals and investors in partnerships, LLCs and other entities that are treated as partnerships struggle with the concepts and the operating rules that apply to Section 704(c). These rules potentially apply whenever property is contributed to such an entity or are distributed from such an entity. The regulations under Section 704(c) provide a very flexible but very  more...

Estate Planning for the Final Years of Life BenefitsEmpirical evidence and directed studies indicate that the majority of Americans fail to plan for their final years of life. Ironically, this is the time when many people are confronted with their greatest challenges and most stressful experiences. This teleconference will cover why people need to plan, what they need to plan for and how to apply proven strategies for dealing with the final  more...

IRS Guidelines for Good Governance and the Continued Tax Exemption of Section 501(c)(3) Organizations BenefitsGiven continued congressional scrutiny of whether tax exemption is a worthy federal subsidy for any type of tax-exempt organization, proper governance and accountability to the local community are key factors that may distinguish the tax-exempt sector from the taxable sector. The Internal Revenue Service, the press and others have linked the need for good governance to the quest for  more...

IRC Section 41: Credit for Increasing Research Activities Update BenefitsThis teleconference will feature a discussion around one of the most misunderstood and misapplied sections of the Internal Revenue Code, Section 41 - Credit for Increasing Research Activities. Our team of former Big Four partners and managers has collectively worked on more than 500 research tax credit studies during our careers. Learn from some of the top technicians in the industry on  more...

Recent Trends in CPA Technology BenefitsTechnology has totally transformed the way CPA's do business. In this teleconference, we will highlight recent trends in the technologies that play an important role in how we do business today. Whether you practice in public, private, education, government or in any other role, this program will give you some insight as to where technology is at and where it will be tomorrow. This  more...

Real Estate Due Diligence: Managing Risk and Developing a Winning Strategy in the Face of Challenging Credit Markets BenefitsThis teleconference will look back over 2009 at lessons learned in light of the fall in real estate values, increase vacancies in office and retail buildings, tightening of underwriting standards in the credit markets and increased use of alternative financing sources to provide an overview of the due diligence process to ensure a sound investment decision is made at the outset regarding  more...

Current Work Product Issues in Taxation: Preservation, Waiver and Tax Accrual Work Papers BenefitsCompanies face many obstacles and ever-changing standards to maintaining work product protection of sensitive documents and information prepared by counsel. The documents at issue, such as tax accrual workpapers, litigation analyses and internal investigation materials, are often roadmaps for the companies adversaries. Challenges to work product protection come from many directions,  more...

Understanding the GAAP Codification Update BenefitsThe official launch of the FASB Codification began on July 1, 2009, on that date the codification became the official single source of authoritative nongovernmental U.S. GAAP. The codification will be effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The codification will supersede existing FASB, AICPA, EITF and related literature, which means there will no longer  more...

Cost Segregation: Applications for a Valuable Tax Planning Strategy BenefitsCost segregation is a powerful tax planning strategy used by real estate owners and tenants to accelerate significant depreciation deductions associated with buildings and improvements of all types and sizes. Although cost segregation has become quite popular in recent years, many tax advisors and real estate owners are still missing significant opportunities because they are unfamiliar  more...

A Primer on International Estate Planning BenefitsIndividuals are increasingly 'international' today - especially wealthy ones. More and more clients work or study abroad, own property in more than one country, find their spouses abroad and qualify as citizens or residents of multiple nations. All of this can subject clients to the competing property, succession and tax laws of multiple jurisdictions. This teleconference will help you  more...

IRS Form 1099 Reporting Update BenefitsThis innovative teleconference will provide the required knowledge to prepare the mandatory reporting of various Form 1099s. By following the practices discussed within this teleconference you and your client's business entities will be provided with the knowledge that will avoid costly penalties assessed by the Internal Revenue Service had you previously chosen to ignore the proper  more...

Economic Nexus Standards in State Taxation BenefitsA state's ability to impose taxes on a multi-state business is limited by 'nexus' standards rooted in the U.S. Constitution. In 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed its longstanding rule and held in Quill Corp. v. North Dakota that nexus requires some form of physical presence in the taxing state. In today's economy, however, states are continuing to push nexus limits farther than ever  more...

Common Pitfalls of Certificates of Insurance Benefits'Trust me, we're covered. We have General Liability Insurance.' This statement is also often times followed by an all too common explanation: 'My company employees are listed as additional insured so we are covered.' Certificates of insurance are meant to evidence insurance coverage for landlords and tenants; secured transactions; and other property, casualty and liability exposures  more...

Curing Title Exceptions BenefitsTitles are often subject to outstanding interests and claims, some genuine but others unsubstantial or baseless. What types of defects, liens and encumbrances impair the title to real estate? When, as the result of tangible matters revealed by a search and examination of the title, is the title unmarketable? Learn what to look for when reviewing the title commitment, and what endorsements  more...

Strategies in Representing Clients Before the IRS BenefitsThis teleconference is designed to summarize the important strategies to keep in mind when representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service. Tax exams are an every day occurrence. It is important to conduct them professionally and efficiently while at the same time presenting the taxpayer's position in the best possible way. Accountants, CPAs, attorneys, tax professionals, CFOs,  more...

Workout Strategies for Troubled Condominium Projects BenefitsThe present economic downturn has affected real estate projects of all types but perhaps none as significantly as condominium projects. To further complicate matters, strategies to cope with failing and failed condominium developments must address multiple overlays of statutory and other legal requirements and limitations, as well as the often conflicting rights and concerns of the many  more...

Living With Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act (UPMIFA) BenefitsAs of March 19, 2009, 29 states have adopted UPMIFA as law and the Uniform Act is presently pending in an additional 16 jurisdictions. By the end of 2009, in most of the United States, attorneys representing nonprofit institutions and those who donate to them and their endowment funds will be governed by new state law which replaces the Uniform Management of Institutional Funds, which had  more...

Fraud and Embezzlement in Nonprofits: How It Happens and How to Prevent It! BenefitsIt's unfortunate, but the reality is that thinking your employees are honest isn't true! This fascinating and practical teleconference will walk you through actual fraud scenarios: discuss how the frauds occurred; and show profiles of embezzlers, why they did it, how they did it and what internal controls would have prevented them. Additionally, you will be provided a valuable handout to  more...

Current Issues in Cloud Computing: Is There Sun Behind Those Clouds? BenefitsCloud computing is an enormous, pervasive and game-changing technology. Tech industry heavyweights such as Microsoft , IBM and Google have each committed billions to developing and marketing it. Smaller players and startups are cropping up daily with new offerings. Yet, for all the hype, few people understand the technology nor the unique issues cloud computing poses - particularly when it  more...

S Corporations: How to Avoid Common and Often Overlooked Pitfalls (Simple to Complex) BenefitsAs many practitioners will attest to, there are many pitfalls when S corporations are involved. This teleconference will identify the most common pitfalls, such as not properly maintaining earning accounts, ineligible shareholders, the one class of stock principle, invalid or missing S Corporation elections and built-in gain. You'll not only learn how to identify these pitfalls, but you'll  more...

Protect and Collect - The Effective Use of Engagement Letters BenefitsToday's economy finds companies in every industry, including professional service firms, looking at best practices to keep revenues steady and to decrease liability. The collection process has become more burdensome as cash flow tightens across the country. With more and more lawsuits arising against professional service providers and their firms, law firms, accounting firms and even  more...

Commercial Lease Escalation Issues BenefitsHow can landlords and tenants protect themselves against rent risks and risks relating to property expenditures in an economy which is as unpredictable as ours? This teleconference will address the details of escalation clauses as they apply to rent, common area maintenance costs and even security deposits. It will address a variety of means whereby both landlords and tenants can try to  more...

IRS Form 5471: Information Return for U.S. Persons With Respect to Certain Foreign Corporations BenefitsAs more U.S. companies view global markets as a necessity to survive and to grow, more U.S. companies own foreign subsidiaries to conduct foreign operations. Whether you are a growing multinational company with subsidiaries all over the globe, or a small, closely-held company that owns a Canadian subsidiary, you will have to file IRS Form 5471 for every foreign corporation that you own.  more...

Family Limited Partnerships in Estate Planning BenefitsMany estate planners who are asked about family limited partnerships or family limited liability companies do not understand the reasons for forming these entities in the planning process. They also are not clear on what is the current status of statutory and case law concerning the continued use of these entities. This teleconference will help you learn to identify when the use of this  more...

Revised Federal Form 1065 BenefitsMore and more businesses are choosing to operate in the form of limited liability companies and being taxed under the partnerships rules as a pass through entity. The preparation of a partnership income tax return is becoming increasingly more challenging as the IRS increases the level of transparency and reporting. The purpose of this teleconference is to highlight important areas for  more...

Getting Advice from the IRS: Letter Rulings, Pre-Filing Agreements, TAMS and GLAMs BenefitsMany times clients must have certainty as to the federal tax consequences of a proposed transaction - and while tax opinions are helpful, they do not provide the certainty of qualified advice from the IRS. This teleconference is designed to discuss how, when and why to seek qualified written advice from the IRS, normally in the form of a private letter ruling request, a review of the  more...

Private Foundation Requirements and Restrictions BenefitsMany families and corporations establish private foundations to carry on their personal philanthropy. While private foundations offer significant opportunities for family and corporate philanthropists, there are special federal tax rules that apply. Failure to fully understand these rules can subject the foundations and those involved with them to substantial excise taxes. This  more...

Sales and Use Taxation of Internet Sales: The Evolving Case Law BenefitsAs federal funds available for state governments are reduced, many states are taking aggressive positions in an attempt to impose sales and use tax obligations on interstate transactions. Internet sellers face a murky and sometimes ill-defined landscape with respect to sales and use taxes that are impacted by both state law and federal constitutional principles. This teleconference will  more...

Federal Tax Classification of Series LLCs BenefitsThe series LLC may be the solution to many issues that confront federal tax practitioners on a daily basis. For example, the series LLC is very useful in situations where long and expensive regulatory processes are involved with a new state law entity. The series LLC also can be used in asset backed securitizations in place of business trusts in those states that treat single member LLCs  more...

Utilizing Spendthrift Trusts in Estate Plans BenefitsA spendthrift trust is an invaluable tool in protecting assets for the beneficiary. This teleconference will introduce you to the use and purpose of spendthrift trusts. Additionally, this program will provide specific guidance of drafting an effective spendthrift trust and highlight drafting pitfalls. Attorneys, estate planners, accountants, presidents, vice presidents, CFOs, controllers,  more...

The Fundamentals of Estate Planning for Pets BenefitsPets are an important part of the lives of many individuals. People own pets for a variety of reasons - they love animals, they enjoy the companionship and they enjoy receiving unconditional love. On many occasions, pets have supplanted children in people's lives. Planning for these companions requires a comprehensive look at the various opportunities and techniques which are available to  more...

The Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act: Application to Condominiums and Single Family Homes BenefitsIn today's environment, many purchasers of condominium units and homesites are trying to back out of their purchases. Learn how to keep your hard-earned condominium unit sales and single-family home sales from slipping away. Many condominium developers and home builders who are subject to the federal Interstate Land Sales Full Disclosure Act do not understand how to comply, or perhaps  more...

Direct Cost Accounting and Indirect Cost Allocation for Not-For-Profit Organizations BenefitsThis teleconference will help you deepen your understanding of direct cost accounting and indirect allocation rules, risks and best practices to achieve compliance with accounting requirements and maximize cost reimbursement. Accountants, attorneys, executive directors, officers, controllers, CFOs, tax managers and enrolled agents  more...

Payroll Tax Pitfalls: Preventing IRS Penalties and Personal Liability for Late Payments BenefitsAmong many other legal obligations, employers face the ongoing requirement to timely withhold and remit payroll taxes to the federal government. People responsible for fulfilling a company's payroll tax obligations often do not realize the substantial penalties that can be imposed by the IRS against the company when payroll taxes are not timely deposited or paid at all. Additionally, in  more...

FAS 117-1: Endowments of Not-for-Profit Organizations BenefitsIn response to the enactment of the Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act in most of the United States, the Financial Accounting Standards Board last year promulgated FASB Staff Position No. FAS 117-1. FSP FAS 117-1 provides guidance for nonprofits as to the proper classification of endowment funds when UPMIFA has been enacted and expands the required disclosure about  more...

Revenue Recognition Standards and Policies BenefitsThe teleconference is intended to accomplish two things: 1. To review current accounting guidance for revenue recognition with an emphasis on, in my experience, two contentious revenue recognition issues - multiple element arrangements and accounting for sales incentives; and 2. An introduction to two new standards on revenue recognition that will affect the accounting for multiple element  more...

When HOA's and the IRS Compete for Lien Property: Lien Priorities, Perfections and Foreclosure Rights BenefitsIn lien law, timing is everything - or is it? If an HOA's statutory lien is perfected by recording its CC R's, then an HOA lien should have priority over a subsequently recorded IRS income tax lien; but does it? When the IRS records an income tax lien, lien priority determinations under state law may be complicated by governed federal laws. This teleconference will discuss HOA lien  more...

Understanding the Basics of Lean Accounting BenefitsAs mid level manufacturing firms migrate to advanced manufacturing processes, they have become uncertain about the ability of traditional cost accounting tools to provide meaningful and accurate measurements. This teleconference outlines a hands-on view of the process needed to evaluate, establish and maintain lean accounting in a mid-level manufacturing environment. While lean accounting  more...

Using Investment Policy Statements as an Investment Tool: It's an Art, Not a Science BenefitsThis teleconference will bring together a panel with differing perspectives on the use and creation of investment policy statements, including outside legal counsel to address perceived problems arising from nonconforming activities; inside legal counsel to discuss techniques for ensuring that the instrument clearly and fully reflects the investor's expectations and the firm's  more...

Legal Traps of Internet Activities for Nonprofits BenefitsThe Internet is essential to the functioning of virtually every nonprofit organization, yet it is fraught with a host of legal pitfalls. This teleconference will focus on the legal traps of Internet activity: the tax impact of web-based advertising and related activities, the potential issues involved in fundraising through the Internet and the risks of utilizing emerging social media to  more...

Unclaimed Property Compliance: Are you Ready for the Upcoming Reporting Deadline? BenefitsIs your company ready to file your unclaimed property report by the November 1 deadline? Who within your company is responsible for ensuring compliance with the various state unclaimed property laws? Is your company currently undergoing an unclaimed property audit? If you are struggling to find the answer to any one of these important compliance questions, this teleconference is for you!  more...

Working Capital Management: Effective Policies and Techniques BenefitsLiquidity is top of mind for executives and they are looking at all sources of incremental free cash flow within their organizations. One area that is on everyone's list of sources is working capital, but most companies fail to reap the full opportunity that is available to them. What are leading companies doing to effectively drive cash flow from working capital? This teleconference will  more...

Commercial Ground Leases: A Conceptual Framework BenefitsEven well-seasoned real estate attorneys may not have enough direct experience with ground leases to negotiate them effectively. Indeed, lessons learned in negotiating ordinary leases often mislead lawyers handling ground leases into taking negotiating positions that are fundamentally incompatible with the economic basis for ground lease transactions and the requirements of leasehold  more...

Preparing an Accurate Form 1041 BenefitsWith more individuals using trusts in estate planning, knowing how to prepare an accurate Form 1041 is becoming more important than ever. Properly computing taxable income and correctly allocating taxable income between the entity and its beneficiaries can avoid not only challenges by the IRS but also disgruntled beneficiaries. This teleconference will help you understand the main rules on  more...

Collection Issues for Condominium and Homeowners' Association: Legal Tips, Concepts and Current Trends in Assessment Collection BenefitsThis teleconference will address relevant legal issues and practical considerations related to the collection of assessments for condominium and homeowner associations. Given current economic trends, the suppressed housing market and rising rates of foreclosures and bankruptcies, homeowners' associations are now inundated with delinquencies and legal issues in degrees not previously  more...

Final Regulations on Shareholder and S Corporation Debt BenefitsThis teleconference will discuss the impact of the recently-finalized treasury regulations on open-account debt extended to S corporations by their shareholders. The extension of debt by shareholders to S corporations can be an effective way of producing tax basis that supports the ability of shareholders to deduct losses. The regulations now limit that ability with respect to open-account  more...

Independent Contractor Reporting BenefitsIndependent contractor status has distinct advantages for companies and workers, and continues to grow in popularity. However, as independent contractor relationships have become more common, the risks have become more apparent as well. This teleconference will help you understand how independent contractor status is determined for tax, EEO state law and other purposes, including in PEO  more...

Developing, Managing and Analyzing a Budget: Understand and Implement an Effective Budget for Better Management and Financial De BenefitsThis teleconference will show how proper planning and budgeting are the keys to success, and operating without a plan or budget is an invitation to fail. This concept holds for businesses - no matter how large or small - nonprofits and governments. Budgeting is a dynamic process, not a static one. By knowing the types of budgets and processes that have worked for others, one can create an  more...

Multifamily Project Finance and Development BenefitsAlthough generally performing better than single family, the multifamily credit markets continue to be in turmoil, and raising necessary debt and equity for acquisition, refinancing and development continues to be a challenge, even for well-capitalized owner/developers with good track records and performing or well conceived new projects. The looming 'refinance crisis' for multifamily  more...

Gift Acceptance Policies for Public Charities and Tax-Exempt Organizations BenefitsFundraising is hard enough without running into the legal, accounting and practical pitfalls inherent in some types of gifts! A comprehensive gift acceptance policy can help an organization avoid these pitfalls, enhance its donor relationships and run a more successful development program. This teleconference will address the issues that should be covered in a basic gift acceptance policy  more...

Tax Treatment of Charitable Fundraising BenefitsFundraising for charitable organizations has become a complex business. Charities no longer hold out a tin cup and ask for donations. They engage in sophisticated activities to generate revenue for their mission and the activities have tax consequences. This teleconference will review the federal tax consequences of fundraising activities and provide specific guidance on how to avoid tax  more...

Tax Practice and Procedure Blunders That Can and Should Be Avoided BenefitsThis teleconference will describe common mistakes made by tax practice and procedures practitioners which can and should be avoided. Discussion on inadvertent privilege waiver, failure to control the flow of information at an audit, missing critical deadlines, failure to provide appropriate and adequate refund claims when necessary, and other key procedural mistakes will be addressed.  more...

Taxation Issues Related to Debt Restructuring, Modifications and Bankruptcies BenefitsThe current market climate has created opportunities for investors or debtors themselves to acquire outstanding debt at remarkable discounts. Unfortunately, it also has left many companies struggling and in need to modify their outstanding debt. Many large, well know companies have dissolved or declared bankruptcy. Debt modifications, repurchases and bankruptcy can have a profound tax  more...

Sale-Leaseback Transactions Today: Monetizing Real Estate Assets BenefitsA troubled economy and a chilly borrowing environment require a re-thinking of how capital and debt are used in your business. Monetizing real estate assets by sale-leaseback transactions may free up needed capital to invest in your business, particularly if the real estate is undervalued. This teleconference will help you understand when and where sale-leaseback transactions on real  more...

Tax Treatment of Gift Card and Certificate Sales BenefitsThe IRS is aware that the popularity of gift cards has increased at a remarkable rate in recent years. Gift card sales by retailers raise a variety of interesting and complicated tax issues. The IRS has announced that certain gift card issues are Tier II issues; some of which must be raised during an examination and some of which should be raised during an examination. The IRS announced,  more...

Form 709: Gift Tax Fundamentals BenefitsTransfer taxes are imposed on the gratuitous transfer of property. When property is transferred during lifetime, a gift tax may be imposed. While the most ignored tax, failure to properly comply with the gift tax laws during life may cause estate tax problems at death. During this teleconference, you will learn when a gift tax return should be filed, what type of gifts need to be reported,  more...

Private Foundation Grant Agreements: Basics and Beyond BenefitsGrant making is the raison d'etre of most foundations. It is what you do! Therefore, a solid foundation grant agreement ought to be the legal backbone for much of a foundation's operations. Surprisingly however, for many private foundations the grant agreement is merely a form document that has been given little thought - if it exists at all. This teleconference will cover some of the  more...

Cash Is King: Effective Cash Flow Management BenefitsA balance sheet is often described as a snapshot of your financial situation at a single point in time. (Think of it as the balance in your personal checking account.) An income statement summarizes revenue, expenses and net income for the entire year or other period of time. Both of these financial statements are important tools to measure the success of your business but do little to  more...

Taxation Issues When Conducting Business With Native American Tribes BenefitsThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 included a number of provisions designed to encourage economic development on Native American reservations, including expanded authority for American Indian tribes to issue tax-exempt bonds for projects on American Indian lands and a $500 million investment of funds for infrastructure, renewable energy, tribal detention facilities and  more...

Current Issues in Attributional and Agency Nexus BenefitsA state's ability to impose taxes on a multistate business is limited by nexus standards rooted in the U.S. Constitution. In 1992, the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed its longstanding rule and held in Quill Corp. v. North Dakota that nexus requires some form of physical presence in the taxing state. However, physical presence is not limited only to direct presence. It may also be established  more...

Withholding of Taxes on Payments to Foreign Persons and Entities BenefitsIn an increasingly global society, many U.S. payors of items of income are unknowingly subject to withholding tax obligations for payments to foreign individuals and entities. Understanding the rules for withholding on these payments can reduce liability to the IRS. After this teleconference, you will be able to identify when income is subject to withholding, evaluate the proper procedures  more...

When Worlds Collide - Bankruptcy and Probate BenefitsUntil the U. S. Supreme Court's 2006 decision in Marshall v. Marshall, 547 U.S. 293 (2006), there was a common belief among many bankruptcy and probate practitioners that the so-called probate exception to federal jurisdiction served to prevent bankruptcy courts from adjudicating any matters that were related, even only slightly, to a probate estate. In giving a very narrow interpretation  more...

Buying and Selling Partnerships, LLCs and Other Similar Entities BenefitsCorporations and alternative entities have distinctly different frameworks for defining the tax, economic and management rights and obligations of their equity owners. But oftentimes business people and their advisors structure and negotiate purchases and sales of equity interests in alternative entities using concepts from the corporate model. Failing to account for the differences  more...

Valuation and Reporting of Gifts and Service Donations BenefitsAs not-for-profits continue to face challenges related to raising money, they are becoming more creative in soliciting donations, resulting in more donations of noncash assets and greater restrictions on contributions received. This is occurring at the same time that there is a higher focus on the definition of fair value. Contributions of gifts and services should be measured at the fair  more...

Achieving Clarity and Value From Nonprofit Financial Reporting, Ratio Analysis and Benchmarking BenefitsYou will learn the strategies necessary and appropriate for improving financial reporting and ratio analysis. You will be able to develop an action plan for your organization to improve the clarity and substance of its financial reporting. Using ratio analysis, unit cost and benchmarking techniques, you will improve the clarity and understanding of your financial reports. You will learn  more...

Practical and Legal Aspects of Real Estate Auctions nIn today's uncertain real estate economy, many real estate developers, investors and fiduciaries are holding surplus inventory with poor turnover performance and a grim outlook on return on investment. The carrying costs to maintain the property during a lengthy conventional brokerage sale weaken the asset's physical properties and investment potential. Real estate auctions have been a viable  more...

Understanding the New Penalties for Tax Preparers nSignificant changes have been made to the preparer penalty of IRC §6694 since 2007. The standard of care needed to avoid the penalty has been raised, the penalty is greater and the reach of the penalty is broader. In addition, there are various other penalties and rules of conduct you must be aware of and new guidance has been issued in several of these areas in the past year. It is imperative  more...

Basics of Trust Administration nThis teleconference will provide an overview of basic principles of trust administration under U.S. law, including powers and duties of trustees; relations with beneficiaries; removal and replacement of trustees; the use of directed trustees, protectors and investment managers, etc., to "slice and dice" trustee powers; probate court involvement in trust administration; and concepts in fiduciary  more...

Statement on Auditing Standards No. 104 - No. 111 Risk Assessment Standards nThis teleconference will provide experienced and inexperienced auditors a concise summary of the risk assessment standards. In addition, this will provide auditors recommendations on how to become more efficient and effective in their application of these standards leading to less time required to implement the standards and a greater realization on audits. Since the majority of auditors may be  more...

Understanding the Role and Powers of the Trust Protector nThink of how far society and trusts have evolved in just the last 100 years. How can we anticipate what changes lie ahead of us from both a tax and nontax perspective? Is the movement towards multigenerational trusts pushing the planning horizon many years past the point most estate planners were trained to envision? This teleconference will identify those unintended consequences and discuss how  more...

Successfully Maneuvering the Tax Maze of Amortization Rules nEfforts to simplify the rules on capitalization and amortization of intangible assets and benefits have resulted in a few lengthy sets of regulations that are often not easy to remember or apply. This teleconference provides a framework for identifying and applying the tax rules for the acquisition and creation of intangible assets, as well as costs to facilitate such transactions. Special  more...

Developing an Effective Property Management Plan nThe world of real estate and finance has changed dramatically. Are you interested in making more money? Having more free time? Living life with less stress? If you are a professional HOA property or community manager, or if you are thinking of becoming a HOA property manager, you will want to know what's new in property management. Become acquainted with the newest technology and how you can  more...

Drafting Trusts in Estate Planning nEstate tax laws keep changing. Did you know that even though the estate tax exemption is predicted to stay at $3.5 million the lifetime gift tax exemption will stay at $1 million, leaving the door open to reduce the estate tax exemption back down to $1 million when Congress tries to balance the budget in a few years? In addition to estate taxes, clients' families need protection from probate, bad  more...

FIN 48 - Uncertainty in Income Taxes nIn an effort to curb the growing number of diverse accounting practices companies are using to analyze and report their tax positions, the Financial Accounting Standards Board recently enacted FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. It is effective for all U.S. GAAP financial reporting enterprises, including pass-through and not-for-profit entities, for tax years  more...

SAS 70 Requirements, Obligations, and Audit Survival Best Practices nToday's regulatory requirements are forcing corporate customers to become more aware of their vendors' internal controls and security than ever before. Maintaining an up-to-date SAS 70 report based on an audit of the effectiveness your organization's control objectives and activities can help satisfy these customers' concerns. To successfully navigate the SAS 70 audit process, it is important to  more...

IRS Form 1040 - Schedule D Update nUnited States taxpayers are experiencing many challenges in our current economic environment that will have major effects on their tax returns. The collapse of the housing market, home foreclosures and worthless securities has affected most taxpayers. Preparing the 1040 Schedule D is challenging for even the most efficient tax professional. By attending this teleconference, you will be reminded  more...

Tenancies in Common - Legal and Practical Issues nDuring the last five years, the tenant-in-common offering industry has grown to approximately $5 billion in annual equity raised. While specific data is hard to find, industry experts estimate that between $10 billion and $12 billion has been raised and spread across more than 2,000 offerings. In the last year, the number of materially under-performing TIC transactions has increased. As the  more...

Valuation for Gift and Estate Tax Purposes in a Troubled Economy nWhether we are in a recession or depression, the values of assets are not what they once were. If you are contemplating whether to consider gift and estate tax planning or executing a plan, what will the impact of this troubled economy be on your tax valuations? This teleconference provides up-to-date guidance on current market conditions, and evolving valuation industry practices and techniques  more...

Creating Investment Policies For Your Nonprofit: Risk Tolerance, Reserve Funds and Portfolio Management Capacity nEstablishing and maintaining investment policies that fall in line with the needs, risk tolerance and portfolio management capacity of your organization are critical to its success. At this teleconference we will take a strategic look at the components that contribute to creating strong investment policies. Included will be discussions on understanding the needs of your organization, spending  more...

Tax and Practical Aspects of Business Succession Planning nClosely held family businesses are often as important to the owners of that business as are their own children. With business failures increasing in today's economic environment, the importance of a well planned, dynamic and long-term succession plan is vital to the continuation of the family business as it is passes from generation to generation. Tax considerations are one part of that plan, but  more...

IRS Form 941 Reporting Update nThe IRS collects hundreds of billions of dollars of employment taxes each year - more than any other source of revenue. Form 941 and related forms lie at the heart of the IRS's employment tax collection system. Much of the administrative burden under that system falls on employers. An employer's failure to understand and comply with its obligations can result in IRS assessments, audits and  more...

Understanding the New GFE and HUD-1/IA Settlement Statements nEffective January 1, 2010, all residential mortgage loan originators will have to change their loan origination forms and procedures to comply with a new rule recently adopted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The new rule dramatically changes both the Good Faith Estimate and the HUD-1 and HUD-1A Uniform Settlement Statements required by the federal Real Estate Settlement  more...

Preparing for the International Financial Reporting Standard nOn November 14, 2008, the SEC released its proposed road map for the adoption of IFRS in the United States. At about the same time, leaders from the G20 countries at a financial summit in the United States issued a statement which, among other things, confirmed the leaders' support for developing a single set of high-quality global accounting standards. n nBoth of these events represent progress  more...

Doing Business in Texas? An Overview of the Texas Margin Tax nFor decades, the Texas Franchise Tax remained virtually unchanged. Once equipped with the knowledge that Texas limited partnerships were not taxable, many companies saw little need to delve further into the details of the tax. Beginning with reports due in 2008 all this has changed with the revised Texas Franchise Tax, known as the Texas Margin Tax by everyone but the Texas Comptroller's Office.  more...

FASB Statement 157 - Fair Value Update on Corporate Asset Valuation nOver the past 12 months we've seen unprecedented turmoil in the financial services industry, capital markets and global economy. Perhaps an overused term, but "perfect storm" seems like an apt descriptor for the economic events of 2008. While implementing changes mandated by FASB 157 could be challenging for companies - and has been in some cases - the rule aims to make it easier to communicate  more...

IRS Form W-9 and W-8 Series: Payee Identification and Tax Determination nForm W-9 is used to obtain a valid TIN number from a payee. This teleconference will cover the requirements and compliance of form W-9. Payers of various types need to file information returns with the IRS regarding payments to individuals and other types of business entities. The most common are the 1099 series used to report payments to contractors, dividends, interest, real estate  more...

Unrelated Business Income Tax - Tax Information for Charities and Other Nonprofits nThe recent activity in the charitable sector by federal and state regulatory agencies has mandated that professionals take a proactive approach into all aspects of this important and very diverse sector. The tax-exempt community is under a microscope. Problems that a few years ago might have gone unnoticed now get picked up and widely broadcast. Recent IRS compliance initiatives in governance,  more...

Form 706: Estate Tax Return Fundamentals nAmericans have been able to accumulate wealth. It is estimated more than $10 trillion dollars in wealth will be transferred over the next 15 years. If a person has been fortunate to amass significant wealth, the government imposes a tax when the person transfers their wealth at death. In 2009, if a person's gross estate plus adjusted taxable gifts equals or exceeds $3.5 million in value, a Form  more...

Effective Fundraising Techniques for Nonprofit Organizations nNonprofit organizations always need to diversify their revenue from earned income, government grants with philanthropic fundraising. Now, in tough economic times, you must determine how to maximize the effectiveness of your fundraising program. This teleconference will cover the basic elements of a complete fundraising program for annual operating support as well as ways every organization can  more...

Keys to Understanding Land Records nThis teleconference will provide you with the practical information you need to better understand the process of researching and evaluating land records in connection with the transfer of ownership and real estate financing. This teleconference will identify real property interests and sources of land information, explain how property interests are created and transferred, and discuss title  more...

Strategies for Successful Mixed Use Development ...rations between design professionals, developers, leasing agents, tenants, municipal planners, land use attorneys, local government and communities. This teleconference prompts discussion of challenges you face and opportunities available for common mixed use design elements from site selection to plan approvals and operations. We'll discuss selected topics from a 360-degree perspective of the  more...

Uniform Division of Income for Tax Purposes (UDIPTA): Business vs. Nonbusiness Income Tax nWhile most U.S. states impose income tax on multistate business under the principles contained in the Uniform Division of Income for Tax Purposes Act, state courts and taxing authorities have interpreted that set of relatively uniform laws differently, especially with regard to the definition of business income. The differing interpretations of business income have increased significance to  more...

Estate Planning Opportunities in an Uncertain Environment nMotivate the reluctant client; freeze the estate value to reduce the estate tax load. How many of us have clients waiting on the sidelines to decide what to do after experiencing 2008? The uncertain times and uncertain market have actually created the perfect time to use some of the advanced planning tools in the estate planner's arsenal. Depressed values for good assets open up the opportunity  more...

Retirement Benefit Solutions For Nonprofit Organizations and Government Entities nNonprofit organizations face many of the same issues regarding use of retirement benefits to attract and retain employees and executives as for-profit companies, but the tools available to them are often more limited. This teleconference will explore both broad-based retirement programs and executive deferred compensation available to nonprofit organizations. It will highlight new rules for  more...

Updating and Maintaining Wills, Trusts and Estate Plans for the Evolving Client nThis teleconference has two primary focuses. The first part will highlight issues and opportunities for a drafting attorney to revisit and update an existing client's estate plan or prepare an update for a new client with existing documents. This part will focus on when and why clients need to review and revisit their estate plans and how to spot those issues for existing and potential clients.  more...

Commercial Leases: A Discussion of Legal, Negotiating and Drafting Considerations For Build-Out, Operating Expense, Tax and Othe nBy attending this teleconference, you will learn the types of expenses commercial tenants should expect to incur and how to appropriately attempt to limit such expenses. By limiting expenses, you'll go a long way toward protecting the tenants you represent against unforeseen leasing costs. Such expenses include the cost of improving the premises, operating cost pass-throughs, real estate taxes,  more...

Share-Based Compensation - Impact of Recent Events on the Use of Equity Compensation nExecutive compensation continues to be a hot topic across many industries. Recent changes in share-based compensation rules, principally the changes to Financial Accounting Standards 123(R) [FAS 123(R)], and market uncertainty and declines have led to significant changes in how companies and executives view the role and the value of equity as part of an overall compensation package. Join our  more...

The Streamlined Sales Tax Project - How and Why It Affects Your Business nThe Streamlined Sales Tax Project is an effort by state representatives to implement a national uniform, simplified system of sales and use tax compliance. After more than five years of their efforts, the Simplified Sales and Use Tax Agreement came into effect on October 1, 2005. The SSTP now includes 19 full member states and three associate member states. Although initially taking effect as a  more...

Managing Risk and Investments for Trustees and Other Fiduciaries nAlthough the investment decisions by fiduciaries supposedly are not to be judged with hindsight, and trustees are not deemed to be guarantors of the investment performance of trust assets under their management, as a practical matter, claims by beneficiaries for poor investment performance will only be raised when the trust has sustained losses. Further complicating the matter, such litigation  more...

Hot Topics for 501(c)(3) Organizations nThere has been a lot of talk about the revised Form 990 and it's finally here! Whether you love it or loathe it, you can't put it off any longer. We will spend a majority of the time talking about some of the hot-button issues that the new form raises both in terms of simple compliance and in communicating with and involving your board. But wait, there's more! After this teleconference, you'll  more...

Investing IRAs and Qualified Plan Rollovers in Real Estate, Franchises, Start-Ups and Other Private Investments - Techniques and nA growing number of IRA owners and recipients of qualified plan rollovers have sought to take control of their own investments by investing directly in real estate and small businesses that they may intend to manage or otherwise be personally involved in. This trend has accelerated in recent years as syndicators, entrepreneurs, private fund managers and franchisors have come to view IRAs and  more...

Estate Planning for Vacation Homes nSummer and holiday gatherings at the family vacation home have become important traditions for many families. Providing a place where family members can relax, reconnect and escape the busy pace of life is increasingly significant to many families. Parents want to perpetuate these cherished memories and experiences throughout the generations. To do so requires careful, thoughtful planning by both  more...

Restructuring: Changing Your Choice of Business Entity nEach business goes through various stages of its life cycle as it grows. The plans of its owners change, and management succession and exit strategies become more immediate concerns. As a result, initial tax and state law decisions need to be revisited, and when warranted, consideration of changes to a company's tax and legal structure may be advisable or necessary. This teleconference will  more...

Obtaining and Sustaining a Tax-Exempt Status nIn today's environment, the pressure on tax-exempt organizations to comply with the tax rules is greater than ever. In this teleconference, you'll learn the difference between nonprofit and tax-exempt organizations, how an organization qualifies for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, how to distinguish between private foundation and public charities, how to understand the benefits of public charity  more...

The Complete Closing Checklist nMany individuals involved in commercial loan transactions never fully understand all the steps and details that go into closing a real estate loan transaction. They understand their participation in the transaction, but do not comprehend everything else that is involved before a transaction can actually close and fund. This teleconference will provide an overview to understand the entire process  more...

Real Estate Income Tax Issues nThis teleconference will address valuable planning techniques and recent developments concerning the income taxation of real estate, including issues applicable to partnerships and LLCs holding real property. You'll learn about capital gains strategies, like-kind exchanges, tenancies in common, how to structure transactions when some partners want cash and others want tax deferral, and recent  more...

Grant Applications From Beginning to End nGrants are highly competitive. With the down turn in today's market they are becoming even more competitive as business and investors are looking at grants to leverage their position. Grants that are easy to find are the most competitive and most difficult to receive. Grant money is free money, in the sense that it does not have to be repaid like a loan. Getting grant funding takes skill,  more...

Advanced Records Management: The Intersection of Good Records Management and eDiscovery Preparedness nEffective records management can have an enormous impact on e-discovery preparedness and a corporation's bottom line. While many corporations have established policies related to paper records, many of those same corporations have failed to update those policies to account for their rapidly increasing volumes of electronically stored information. No form of ESI demonstrates these complex issues  more...

Capital Improvements for Condominium and Homeowners' Associations nThe common elements of all forms of community associations are in a never ending cycle of deterioration. It is the fiduciary responsibility of the association's board of directors to protect and maintain the community. It is not optional to address the physical condition of the community in a well-considered manner. This teleconference will help you develop strategies. The board itself needs to  more...

Tax Due Diligence in Acquisitions nBuyers and sellers of businesses typically are focused on getting the deal done and the relative economic benefits to each. They often fail to consider potential undisclosed tax liabilities resulting from pre-closing operations, and rarely want to hold up negotiations thinking about the "what ifs." However, when the "what ifs" turn into "what now," it is important that potential tax risks be  more...

Effective Program Evaluation for Nonprofits nThe importance of evaluating your nonprofit cannot be underestimated! The data you collect and analyze will let you know the extent to which you have met your goals and objectives, how your clients feel about your organization and its services, whether you are using quality processes, what you can celebrate and how you can improve! Effective evaluations can also tell you about the program design  more...

Toxic Properties: Mold, Meth Labs and Beyond nAre you 100% sure that property is safe? Don't guess - know the history of the property and the risks that history presents to potential buyers. Sign up for this teleconference and you'll get the up-to-date information you need to recognize the most pressing toxic property concerns in the country. n nYou'll hear from expert speakers about mold, meth labs, asbestos and - most importantly -  more...

Latest Trends in the Rise of Unclaimed Property Enforcement nRegister for this teleconference and stay abreast of the latest statutory and state enforcement trends. You'll get an update on recent cases involving unclaimed property (state and corporate) and best practices you can use to address current internal controls, policies and procedures.  more...

A Tax Primer on Real Estate Investment Trusts nMore than $375 billion are invested in approximately 180 publicly traded real estate investment trusts (or REITs). In addition, billions more are invested in privately held REITs. This teleconference will provide an introductory summary of the tax requirements REITs face in their formation and ongoing operations. You will develop a basic understanding of REITs through this program. The  more...

Environmental Issues in Commercial Leases Benefits Environmental issues impact myriad provisions in a commercial lease and can have not only a material legal effect, but a material economic effect on the rights, duties and risk allocation between the landlord and the tenant. From pre-delivery site and building assessment to operational risks, insurance and indemnification obligations to premises surrender, restoration and abatement,  more...

State Income Tax Apportionment-The Sales Factor and The Throwback Rule Benefits This teleconference will provide an in-depth analysis of the sales factor used in state and local income tax apportionment. You'll learn all about the sourcing of sales of tangible personal property and services, including the dock sales test and market-based sourcing. Find out what you need to know about the throwback rule and the throw-out rule. Get expert advice on handling issues  more...