what to do now … before the big rush
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Because clients don’t live and breathe the tax law like CPAs do, they may expect you to inform them of planning opportunities and tax traps. With time at a premium, it’s often difficult to do this during tax season. Take the time now to speak with clients.

Guide | Tax Season Checklists
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Table of Contents

7 ways to help clients prepare

5 steps to review e-file requirements and processes

4 ways to update engagement letters

3 must-do’s to review client acceptance and continuance

7 steps to prepare the firm for tax season

4 ways to assist staff in preparing for tax season
What to do now … before the big rush

5 data security concerns
What to do during busy tax season
12 items to cover in a pre-tax season staff meeting


4 items to memorialize in a control log to help avoid missed deadlines
4 things to remember when testing tax software


9 tasks that should be perfomed for each client

2 ways to plan for deadlines and help avoid careless errors

2 keys to survival
How to Address COVID

3 COVID-related items to keep in mind
Explore the impact of the South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. (“Wayfair”) decision on client’s businesses.
Wayfair Client Notification Letter
as a starting point. If you believe the decision may affect your clients, schedule a meeting to discuss the impact and follow-up in writing to document the discussion. Remember to discuss the income tax aspects, as many states are using the same nexus standards for other taxes.1
2
Inform clients of significant changes in tax laws,
such as guidance released or enforcement actions taken since last
tax season related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Reform”), Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Securities (CARES) Act, Families First Coronavirus Response (FFCRA) Act, and syndicated conservation easements through client newsletters. Retain a distribution list of such communications, including the dates transmitted documenting that the client was informed of these changes.Alert clients of other filing obligations,
3
Educate clients about the potential tax savings for investments in Qualified Opportunity Zone Funds (“QOZF”).
4
Contact clients to schedule appointments prior to year-end
Policyholder
Resource
Center
.
Be specific about the scope of services. For example, “calculate the impact of Internal Revenue Code §163(j) on the company in light of Tax Reform, and, if interest is limited, explore options to increase the deduction” is preferable to “explore Tax Reform’s impact on the company.”5
Contact clients who have historically procrastinated
How to Deal with Last-Minute Clients
and The Early CPA Gets the Return
(Done on Time)
. Provide these clients with a deadline by which all information must be received. If information is not received by the designated date, inform the client that you will be unable to timely complete their return and an extension request may be necessary. 6
Address clients who have not taken steps due to changes in the partnership audit rules
Letter to Advise Clients on Partnership Audit Changes
as a starting point. Items that clients, with the assistance of their attorneys, should address in a revised partnership agreement include but are not limited to:- Identification of the partnership representative,
- For eligible partnerships, whether or not to elect out of the revised partnership audit regime,
- Whether the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) may collect any additional tax, interest, and penalties directly from the partnership at the highest individual tax rate or to take adjustments into account from the partners in the reviewed year,
- Identify the decision-maker for new elections
- New tax terms and concepts that may require adjustments to partnership operating agreements.
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