Taxation is an issue that is pervasive in the practice of law. For those who pay taxes, file tax returns, or may be subject to those duties it’s useful, if not critical, to understand the principles underlying the processes on which IRS and other tax authorities will judge whether any or more is owed, or even whether a crime has been committed.

Tax law and tax assessments are based on principles that are bedrock for testing and protecting one’s own tax positions and essential for successfully contesting any adverse claim or assessment.

This CLE seminar will explain the law, the underlying legal principals and the essentials of logic used by tax authorities and by the courts in evaluating, judging and enforcing the laws of taxation.

Fundamental issues like recognition of income, allowance of deductions, proper and improper capitalization, permissible depreciation and amortization methods, qualifications for credits and differences between civil tax enforcement and criminal enforcement are just some of the areas on which light will be shed. These principles and their logic apply generally to taxation as it relates to for-profit businesses, not-for-profit organizations and individuals.

Additionally, tips for gathering and preserving adequate documentation and other forms of proof to protect one’s tax position will be offered, as well as information on both practical issues and legal processes as they relate to planning transactions, calculating taxes, filing returns and responding to challenges.