Back to the Basics: A Foundational Income Tax Return Preparation Course

As new income tax return preparers enter the profession, they must quickly build a solid foundation of basic skills. Some experienced tax preparers—driven by a need to continually produce—may also wonder if they have some holes in this all-important foundation. In response to this need, CALT is offering a new two-day introductory course focused on teaching the basics of federal income tax return preparation.

This should be a great program for new employees needing training in first and second-year tax law and procedures. It should also serve as an excellent comprehensive refresher for others.

Agenda: 

May 11-12, 2017

Registration Check-In: 7:30 AM
Program: 8:30 to 4:30 PM - Both Days
Quality Inn & Suites | 2601 East 13th Street | Ames, Iowa

► Online Registration: https://goo.gl/ay0xH4
► Download Registration Form: Registration Form - Back to the Basics.pdf

You can join us either in-person or online via our Live Webinar!

Our “Back to the Basics: A Foundational Income Tax Return Preparation Course” will teach basic tax return preparation skills all tax return preparers must know. Attendees will receive two days of federal individual income tax return preparation training, as well as the opportunity to complete a comprehensive return from beginning to end. Whether you’re new to the profession or simply looking for a comprehensive refresher, we think this course will be of value to you. You’ll experience personal interaction with knowledgeable instructors excited about the material and willing to fi eld all types of questions.

Class materials will include:
1. Forms
2. Presentation Slides and Additional Handouts
3. Practice Tax Problem and Solution

Topics will include:

  • The interview process and tips for conducting an interview
  • Determination of fi ling status, who must fi le and dependents
  • Taxable and nontaxable income - where to report
  • Adjustments to Income
  • Various Tax Credits including Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit and the American Opportunity Tax Credit, along with associated forms
  • Schedule C, Schedule E, and Schedule F
  • Child and Dependent Care Credit
  • Depreciation, Section 179, Bonus, and Form 4562
  • Sale of Business Assets and Form 4797
  • Casualty Loss
  • Exemptions/Dependents rules and changes
  • Form 1040, line by line
  • Domestic Production Activity Deduction
  • Itemized Deductions
  • Due Diligence Requirements for Credits
  • Business Expenses
  • Standard Mileage vs. Actual Expenses
  • Comprehensive Hands-On Problem
  • Capital Gains and Losses, including Schedule D and Form 8949
Continuing Education: 

16 hours of CPE
13.25 hours of CLE
800 minutes of instruction

This course provides continuing education for:

  • Enrolled Agents
    • 1 hour of federal tax law update: Y7WRM-U-00178-17-I (In Person) and Y7WRM-U-00178-17-O (Online)
    • 15 hours of Federal Tax Law Topics/Federal Tax Related Matters: Y7WRM-T-00179-17-I (In Person) and Y7WRM-T-00179-17-O (Online)
  • Other Tax Return Preparers
    • 1 hour of federal tax law update: Y7WRM-U-00178-17-I (In Person) and Y7WRM-U-00178-17-O (Online)
    • 15 hours of Federal Tax Law Topics/Federal Tax Related Matters: Y7WRM-T-00179-17-I (In Person) and Y7WRM-T-00179-17-O (Online)
  • CPAs
    • 16 hours of CPE
  • Attorneys
    • 13.25 hours of CLE - Approved with the Iowa Supreme Court Commission on Continuing Legal Education
      • Standard (Live): Activity Number: 254876
      • Live Webcast: Activity Number: 254877
         

Speakers: 
  • Kristy Maitre, EA, is the tax specialist at ISU’s Center for Agricultural Law & Taxation. Prior to joining CALT, Kristy worked for the Internal Revenue Service for 27 years. Before retiring from the IRS in 2014, Kristy was serving as the IRS Senior Stakeholder Liaison for the State of Iowa. At CALT, Kristy conducts frequent webinars and seminars on a variety of tax topics. She also instructs practitioners through her writings on TaxPlace and her free bi-weekly webinar, The Scoop: Hot Issues from the Front Lines.
     
  • Michael Miranda, CPA, QKA, AEP, is a Senior Manager with Williams & Company CPA PC headquartered in Sioux City Iowa.  He currently resides in the Firm’s Sioux Falls, South Dakota office. He joined the firm in July 1989, with over 13 years previous experience as a Tax Specialist in public accounting. Michael provides tax consulting, estate planning and employee benefit services. The tax areas include corporate, individual, partnership, estate and gift, and tax accounting. The employee benefit areas include employee benefit planning and consultation services for qualified and non-qualified plan and welfare benefit plans. His current responsibilities include the management and development of the Firm’s employee benefit services. In 1976, he received a B.S. Degree in Accounting from Indiana University, South Bend, Indiana. Prior to joining Williams & Company, he was on staff as a Tax Specialist with Price Waterhouse in offices at South Bend and Minneapolis, providing tax and estate planning for individuals and small to medium-sized businesses. Professional affiliations include membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the South Dakota Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Society of Pension Professional Actuaries (ASPPA).  In December 2007 he received the ASPPA QKA designation.  Michael is also a member of the National Association of Estate Planning Councils (receiving the Accredited Estate Planning (AEP) designation in October 2014). He is currently the Treasurer and Liaison Board member for the Sioux Falls Estate Planning Councils.  He currently holds CPA licenses in the states of Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota.
     
  • A.J. Reynolds is an enrolled agent (EA). He has immense experience in various areas of taxation, which encompasses over 29 years.  His practice centers on Individual, Business and Estate Tax preparation. In addition, A.J. specializes in IRS Audits, Appeals, Collections, Innocent Spouse, Independent Contractor vs. Employee Issues and Civil Tax Fraud Representations. A.J. speaks for Basics+Beyond Income Tax Seminars and Iowa State’s Center for Agricultural Law & Taxation Annual Federal Income Tax Schools. He is a member of the National Association and Iowa Society of Enrolled Agents and a member of the National Association of Tax Professionals.  A.J. started his tax career with a National CPA firm in San Diego, CA after proudly serving five years in the United States Navy. 
     
  • Kristine Tidgren is the assistant director of ISU’s Center for Agricultural Law & Taxation. She analyzes and writes about tax and legal developments impacting agricultural producers and practitioners. She has taught agricultural law to undergraduate students at ISU and is a frequent speaker on ag and tax law topics. Kristine received her J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and her B.A. from Iowa State University.
Registration: 

► Online Registration: https://goo.gl/ay0xH4
► Download Registration Form: Registration Form - Back to the Basics.pdf

Your registration fee includes seminar materials (electronic materials for those attending online), continental breakfast, refreshment breaks, and lunch. Duplicate this form for additional registrations. After acceptance of your registration a receipt will be provided by e-mail.

Early Registration - Before or On May 3

  • On-Site: $275
  • Online (Live Webinar): $275

Late Registration after May 3

  • On-Site: $295
  • Online (Live Webinar): $295

Unable to Attend?  Materials are available to purchase for $55

QUESTIONS: Contact Tiffany at 515-294-5217 or tlkayser@iastate.edu
ONLINE: Watch from your computer. You will receive instructions via email on how to view the webinar. Materials will be provided on a protected website sent via email prior to the event.
CANCELLATION POLICY: You may cancel without penalty if written cancellation requests (email is fi ne) are received by 5/3/2017 before 4 pm. No refund will be given after 5/3/2017 due to financial obligations incurred by CALT.

Date and Time: 
Thursday, May 11, 2017 - 8:00am to Friday, May 12, 2017 - 5:30pm
Location: 
Ames, Iowa and Online
Accommodations: 

Quality Inn and Suites, 2601 E. 13th Street, Ames, Iowa. Discounted overnight rooms are available for $91 for the nights of Wednesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 11.  Please contact the hotel at (515) 232-9260