1.
A teacher with small educator expenses, HSA-eligible coverage, and a side gig asks which are typical adjustments to income.
2.
A factory replaces a worn motor with a like-kind part that restores normal function. Capitalize or expense?
3.
Why can’t a business deduct all interest currently?
4.
SALT payments are large, but mortgage interest/charity are small. Itemize or take the standard deduction?
5.
An S-corp shareholder receives distributions exceeding their stock basis. What result?
6.
Advertising standards under Circular 230 require that your marketing:
7.
The client asks for all original records back. They still owe your invoice. What must you do?
8.
May you charge a contingent fee for representing a client in a claim for refund based on a carryback?
9.
The general statute of limitations for assessment (absent fraud/large omission/consent) is:
10.
Exam proposes a deficiency. Your client disputes the facts and law and wants Appeals review. What is Appeals’ role?
11.
A prospective client offers you a contingent fee to prepare an original Form 1040 that they believe will yield a large refund. Under Circular 230, what’s correct?
12.
Audit reconsideration is appropriate when:
13.
You discover a conflict of interest representing two spouses during an audit. They both want you to continue. What must happen?
14.
A partnership pays a partner a fixed monthly amount for bookkeeping, regardless of profits. Treatment?
15.
A joint return overpayment was offset to the spouse’s past due debt; the non-debtor spouse asks for relief.
16.
A retailer has $900,000 gross receipts and $540,000 COGS. Before other items, what is gross income from sales?
17.
Net long-term capital gains are generally taxed…
18.
A business uses the cash method and receives prepayment for services next year. Federal tax treatment?
19.
Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status indicates:
20.
An S-corporation with two shareholder-employees (each 50%) provides software implementation services. In the first profitable year, they want to minimize payroll tax by taking only distributions and no wages. What is the best course of action?
21.
Why is the QBI deduction “below the line”?
22.
An investor sells stock at a loss on June 15 and buys substantially identical shares on July 5 in the same account. They want to deduct the loss this year.
23.
A taxpayer changed jobs mid-year and under-withheld. How to avoid underpayment penalties?
24.
Collection Information Statement for individuals (used for OIC/IAs) is typically:
25.
High-level description of the QBI deduction for a pass-through owner.
26.
A partner’s outside basis is $5,000. The partnership allocates $7,000 of loss. Partner materially participates. How much is currently deductible?
27.
A taxpayer asks how to optimize filing status and avoid penalties after a mid-year separation and under-withholding.
28.
When should you contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS)?
29.
Proper written advice should:
30.
Which form requests innocent spouse relief from joint liability due to the other spouse’s erroneous items?
31.
After selling depreciated equipment at a gain, how is the gain characterized?
32.
A W-2 wage earner with foreign stocks held via a U.S. broker had foreign tax withheld on dividends. Any mitigation?
33.
Must a reseller capitalize purchasing/handling/storage into inventory?
34.
A contractor receives per-diem reimbursements under an accountable plan with proper substantiation.
35.
A partnership sells land (capital asset) held for investment at a gain. How is it reported to partners?
36.
A homeowner meets the 2-out-of-5-year ownership and use tests when selling a principal residence at a large gain.
37.
A company contemplates a like-kind exchange of business real property. Current treatment?
38.
The Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP) applies to:
39.
A taxpayer lived apart from their spouse for the last 6 months of the year, maintained a home for a 7-year-old child who lived with them more than half the year, and paid over half the home’s costs. They ask which status provides the most favorable outcome.
40.
A partner contributes appreciated property to a partnership; later, that property is sold at a gain. Who is taxed on the built-in gain?
41.
Sole shareholder-employee takes no wages in a profitable S-corp year. Risk?
42.
A child inherits company stock and sells it six weeks after the decedent’s death at a gain.
43.
E-file signature authorization for individual returns is:
44.
May you charge a contingent fee in connection with an IRS refund claim?
45.
A taxpayer took an early traditional IRA distribution but qualifies for an exception (e.g., certain medical, first-home, education). What must they do?
46.
Confidentiality rules allow disclosure of client information when:
47.
Ex parte communication rules in Appeals mean:
48.
What constitutes willful or reckless conduct for preparer-penalty purposes?
49.
A taxpayer thinks foreign stocks via a U.S. broker mean no FBAR risk.
50.
Material participation for a member who worked 100 hours when no one else worked more—what matters?
51.
A company sells business real property at a loss after holding >1 year. Treatment?
52.
Above-the-line (adjustment) deductions vs. itemizing—what’s the key difference?
53.
Due-diligence checklists/forms for credits must be:
54.
A taxpayer wonders why educator expenses, SE health insurance, and HSA contributions mattered so much.
55.
Donating appreciated stock (>1-year holding) to a public charity—what’s the deduction base?
56.
A business converts a warehouse to a restaurant and capitalizes build-out costs. Which cost recovery generally applies?
57.
An S-corp’s AAA (accumulated adjustments account) is negative but it has E&P from C-corp years. Distribution order?
58.
A single filer has wages (W-2), bank interest (1099-INT), and casino winnings (W-2G). Which items are included in gross income?
59.
A taxpayer wants you to represent them in an office audit for Form 1040 Schedule C. Which authorization is correct and what does it permit?
60.
Electronic client records requested by the IRS must be:
61.
A student’s scholarship pays tuition, mandatory fees, required books from the campus bookstore, and a separate housing stipend. What’s the federal tax treatment?
62.
A partner contributed $60,000 cash and personally guaranteed $140,000 of nonrecourse debt. The partnership reports a $90,000 loss. The partner asks how much they can deduct.
63.
A taxpayer sold gifted stock at a loss; donor’s basis exceeded FMV at gift date. Which basis rules apply?
64.
When does the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) apply?
65.
The taxpayer received a 90-day Letter (Notice of Deficiency) but missed the Tax Court deadline. What option may still be available?
66.
Which form is used for injured spouse allocation when a joint refund is offset to the other spouse’s debt?
67.
Where are IRS summons enforcement actions brought?
68.
A partner receives a nonliquidating distribution of inventory. Immediate gain?
69.
Incompetence or disreputable conduct may result in:
70.
Your client asks about an installment agreement (IA). Which statement is accurate?
71.
A C-corp converts to S-status while holding appreciated assets and plans to sell them soon. What risk exists?
72.
A reseller with average gross receipts under the small-business threshold asks whether UNICAP applies.
73.
A corporation buys machinery and asks about §179 vs bonus depreciation in year one.
74.
C-corp distributions and E&P—character to shareholders?
75.
An S-corp sells §1231 property at a net gain. How is it reported to shareholders?
76.
A small manufacturer capitalizes direct labor and factory overhead into inventory. They ask what UNICAP requires.
77.
Written advice standards (Circular 230 §10.37) require you to:
78.
A dependent student asks about the standard deduction and personal exemption on their own return.
79.
A joint refund is fully offset to the husband’s old federal student loan debt. The wife had her own income and withholding. What’s her immediate remedy?
80.
Employer provided car used 70% business, 30% personal. What records are needed?
81.
When do preparer penalties arise?
82.
Can you rely solely on a client’s statements?
83.
For which items are preparer due-diligence penalties especially targeted?
84.
A 19-year-old full-time student claimed as a dependent has $6,000 in dividends and $2,000 in wages. They ask how the unearned income is taxed.
85.
A hobbyist sells handmade items sporadically, breaks even, and wants to deduct hobby expenses.
86.
Appeals conference formats typically include:
87.
A sole proprietor reports $120,000 Schedule C profit. Which additional tax may apply?
88.
In an identity theft case, what helps prevent fraudulent e-filing in future years?
89.
Your client missed the filing deadline after a car accident and hospitalization; medical records confirm. They request penalty abatement. Which is true?
90.
A corporation redeems a shareholder’s stock for cash. When is it treated as sale/exchange (capital) vs dividend?
91.
A partnership distributed cash exceeding a partner’s outside basis. Consequence?
92.
A retailer wants to change inventory method mid-year without filing anything.
93.
When may you rely on client information without further verification?
94.
You’re preparing a complex return. The client’s organizer omits several 1099s shown in last year’s transcript, and some numbers contradict bank statements. Under Circular 230, what must you do before filing?
95.
A valid POA (Form 2848) must specify:
96.
A crypto investor traded BTC→ETH and later sold ETH for USD at a gain. How to report?
97.
A cash-basis Schedule C taxpayer asks about the de minimis safe harbor.
98.
An LLC with long-term rentals and minimal services reports losses. Why are losses limited?
99.
The federally authorized tax practitioner privilege under §7525 applies to:
100.
A manufacturer considers §199A QBI and has significant W-2 wages and UBIA (qualified property). Why do these matter?
