After reading the material in this chapter, you should be able to: Identify the filing requirements for income tax returns and the statute of limitations for assessment; outline the IRS audit process, how returns are selected, the different types of audits, and what happens after the audit; evaluate the relative weights of the various tax law sources; describe the legislative process as it pertains to taxation; | Chapter 2 Tax Compliance, the IRS, and Tax Authorities Learning Objectives Identify the filing requirements for income tax returns and the statute of limitations for assessment Outline the IRS audit process, how returns are selected, the different types of audits, and what happens after the audit Evaluate the relative weights of the various tax law sources Describe the legislative process as it pertains to taxation Learning Objectives (Cont.) Perform the basic steps in tax research and evaluate various tax law sources when faced with ambiguous statutes Describe tax professional responsibilities in providing tax advice Identify taxpayer and tax professional penalties Taxpayer Filing Requirements Corporations: all must file regardless of taxable income Estates and Trusts: required to file if gross income exceeds $600 Individuals: filing is determined by taxpayer’s filing status, age, and gross income Tax Return Due Date Individuals: 15th day of 4th month following end of tax year. Corporations: 15th day of the 3rd month following end of tax year. Due dates on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday are extended to next business day Individuals and corporations are allowed to apply for an automatic 6 month extensions Statute of Limitations The time in which the taxpayer can file an amended return or the IRS can assess a tax deficiency. Generally ends 3 years from the later of (1) the date the tax return was actually filed, or (2) the tax return’s original due date. IRS Audit Selection In general a taxpayer’s return is selected for audit because the IRS believes the tax return has a high probability of being incorrect. IRS uses computer programs to identify tax returns which might have an understated liability. Discriminant Function (DIF) system Document perfection Information matching programs Types of Audits Correspondence examinations Office examinations Field examinations Trial Level Courts Tax Court . District Court . Court of Federal Claims Tax Law Sources Primary Authorities: Official sources of tax law Statutory sources Judicial sources Administrative sources Secondary Authorities: Unofficial tax authorities Tax services Tax articles Statutory Authorities . Constitution Tax Treaties Internal Revenue Code Judicial Sources: The Courts Supreme Court Court of Appeals Trial Level Courts US District Court US Court of Federal Claims US Tax Court stare decisis & Golsen rule Administrative Sources: The US Treasury Regulations – 3 different forms & 3 different purposes Revenue Rulings Revenue Procedures Letter Rulings Tax Research 5 Steps Types of tax services Questions of fact vs. questions of law Conflicting authority Checking status of authority Tax memo format Tax Professional Responsibilities Tax professionals are subject to various statutes, rules and codes of conduct: AICPA Code of Professional Conduct AICPA Statement on Standards for Tax Services IRS’ Circular 230 State Board of Accountancy Statutes Failure to comply with statutes can result in being admonished, suspended, or barred from practicing Taxpayer and Tax Practitioner Penalties Civil Penalties Criminal Penalties Substantial Authority vs. Reasonable Basis
