A Costly Lesson in Valuing Conservation Easements Donating a conservation easement can lead to significant tax deductions for individuals and businesses. However, a new Tax Court case, Savannah Shoals, LLC, Green Creek Resources, LLC (TC Memo 2024-35, 3/26/24), highlights the
Lack of Proper Documentation Leads to Denied Tax Deductions Self-employed individuals can deduct “ordinary and necessary” business expenses, just like large corporations. However, they must follow strict substantiation rules to claim these deductions. In a recent case—Kalk, TC Memo 2024-82
Ippei Mizuhara Ordered to Repay Millions After Shocking Fraud Shohei Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, has been sentenced to 57 months in federal prison for stealing nearly $17 million from the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar. The stolen money funded Mizuhara’s
When Does a Business Officially Start? The IRS Weighs In Starting a business comes with many expenses, but not all of them are immediately deductible. According to a recent Tax Court ruling (Eason, TC Summ. Op. 2024-17, 8/13/24), taxpayers cannot
The IRS Adjusts Reporting Thresholds—Here’s How It Affects You Tax season is here, and if you received a Form 1099-K, you’re not alone. Many taxpayers will be getting this form for the first time as part of the IRS’s effort
IRS Claims He Hid Millions to Avoid Paying Nearly $2M in Taxes Florida Businessman Faces Tax Evasion Charges A Jacksonville businessman is facing serious legal trouble after a federal grand jury indicted him for tax evasion, failure to file tax
Tax Court Allows Partial Deductions Despite Missing Records: Cohan Rule Saves Business Owner from Full IRS Penalty In a recent Tax Court ruling (Pak, TC Memo 2024-86, 9/11/24), a Japanese hibachi and sushi restaurant owner in Alabama successfully invoked the
Tax Preparer Barred for Filing Fraudulent Returns A federal court in the Eastern District of New York has permanently barred a tax preparer and her business, from preparing or filing tax returns for others. She consented to the injunction following
June 2024 Declaration Keeps Marijuana Businesses Under Strict Tax Rules: No Business Deductions for 2025 Tax Season On June 28, 2024, the IRS reaffirmed that marijuana remains a Schedule I controlled substance, reminding cannabis businesses that they cannot claim standard
What Couples Need to Know About Medical Deductions for Surrogacy In a recent private letter ruling (PLR 202505002, 1/31/25), the IRS clarified that in vitro fertilization (IVF) expenses related to a surrogate are not deductible as medical expenses under the