Tax law changes at a startling rate - not only does societal change bring with it demands for change in the tax system, but changes in the political climate will force change, as will many other competing pressures. With this pace of change, it is easy to focus on the practical and forget the core underpinnings of the tax system and their philosophical justifications. Taking a pause to remind ourselves of those principles and how they can operate in the modern tax system is crucial to ensuring that the tax system does not diverge too far from what it should be or could be. It is essential to understand the answers to some of the seemingly basic questions that surround tax before we can even begin to think about what a tax system should look like. This collection brings together major themes and difficult questions in the philosophical foundations of tax law. The chapters consider practical issues such as justification, enforcement, design, and mechanics, and provide a full and coherent analysis of the basis for tax law. Philosophical Foundations of Tax Law allows the reader to consider how tax systems should move forward in the modern world, with a sound philosophical basis, to provide the practical tax system that the state requires and citizens deserve.

This Tax Guide is an easy to use and understandable reference for anyone, including tax professionals, who prepare 2013 income tax returns. The Guide follows the flow of a tax return, from filing status and requirements through tax credits. It is primarily for use in preparing individual and small business tax returns, with chapters that include detailed discussions on employee travel and entertainment expenses, depreciation, and carrying on a trade or business as a sole proprietor, partnership, farmer, and S-Corporation. It also includes informative language and examples on classifying workers as employees vs. independent contractors, and reasonable salaries for S-Corporation shareholders. A unique feature of this Guide compared to others on the market is a chapter devoted to dealing with the IRS, which alone is worth getting this Guide as a reference. It includes detailed information on applicable penalties for underpayment of taxes, failure to file, failure to pay, and how to avoid paying penalties and interest. It discusses how taxpayers can meet the eligibility requirements for the IRS "Fresh Start" program which is designed to help financially distressed taxpayers resolve tax problems more quickly and relieve them of certain penalties. Also, First-Time Penalty Abatement and the "Fast Track Settlement Program" are addressed, which are IRS initiatives designed to help taxpayers. The chapter on dealing with the IRS includes a section on IRS audits that talks about IRS notices and the Agency's latest concentration on its audit-by-mail program. It discusses how to survive an IRS audit, how to handle a dispute over a tax liability, how to prepare a request for appeals, closing agreements, offers in compromise, and what happens in Tax Court. Perhaps the most important chapter in this Guide is the one about the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," also known as Obamacare. This chapter discusses in detail all of the compliance and tax provisions of the law, including the additional 0.9% Medicare surtax on high-income earners, the 3.8% surtax on "net investment Income" of high-income earners, and the 2.3% excise tax on medical devices. The individual and employer mandates are discussed in detail, including penalties, exemptions, the IRS role in implementing the mandates, and the latest implementation timelines. While some IRS regulations and court cases are referred to in this Guide, the aim was to keep such references to a minimum. The goal was to discuss, in plain English, what is required and not required by tax laws and regulations without the legal jargon as much as possible, and to give understandable examples where needed. We believe our goal has been achieved by publishing this tax book.

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit available to eligible workers with relatively low earnings. Because the credit is refundable, an EITC recipient need not owe taxes to receive the benefit. The credit is authorized by Section 32 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and administered as part of the federal income tax system. In 2013, a total of $68.1 billion was claimed by 28.8 million tax filers, making the EITC the largest need-tested anti-poverty cash assistance program. This book provides an overview of the EITC, first discussing eligibility requirements for the credit, followed by how the credit is computed and paid; provides data on the growth of the EITC since it was first enacted in 1975; and includes data on the EITC claimed on 2013 tax returns, examining EITC claims by number of qualifying children, income level, tax filing status, and location of residence. Moreover, this book summarizes findings from the 2014 IRS study detailing the factors that can lead to erroneous claims of the credit, and describes the challenges the IRS may face in their efforts to reduce each type of error. It also examines the role of paid tax preparers on EITC error.

Audit activities help ensure taxpayers pay the right amount of tax and help address the net $385 billion tax gapthe difference between the amount of taxes paid voluntarily and on time, and the amount owed. Audit programs in Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Wage and Investment division (W&I) mainly cover refundable credits reported on the Form 1040, Individual Income Tax Return. The hundreds of thousands of taxpayers whom W&I interacts with annually during audits make it critical to apply the tax law fairly. Unfair selection would increase burden on taxpayers and reduce public confidence in IRS. This book reviews and describes the W&I process for selecting tax returns for audit, and determines how well W&I's audit selection procedures support its mission and goal to apply the tax law with integrity and fairness to all. This book also describes IRSs processes and controls for selecting Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) taxpayers for audit; and determines how well SB/SEs selection processes and controls support its mission to apply the tax law with integrity and fairness to all.

The book explains the legal framework of philanthropy in the U.S., with particular emphasis on the rules for giving to domestic versus foreign entities. Chapter One gives a brief overview of the philanthropic sector in the United States. Chapter Two provides a detailed analysis of the legal framework that affects philanthropy in the U.S., in particular the requirements under US Code Sec. 501(c)(3), as well as other relevant laws, including those on private foundations. A subchapter explains the deductibility of charitable gifts by individuals and corporations. Chapter Three elaborates on the issues related to international philanthropic giving by U.S. taxpayers. Chapter Four discusses policy matters connected to the regulation of U.S. international philanthropy. Chapter Five argues for the promotion of a "learning driven" international engagement of American philanthropists. Last but not least, Chapter Six provides proposals for legal reform in the U.S. to encourage learning-driven international philanthropy. In addition to these main parts, the book contains a table of contents, conclusions, an extensive bibliography, as well as an index.

This book examines recent developments and high-profile debates that have arisen in the field of international tax law and European tax law. Topics such as international tax avoidance, corporate social responsibility, good governance in tax matters, harmful tax competition, state aid, tax treaty abuse and the Financial Transaction Tax are considered. The OECD/G20 project on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) features prominently in the book. The interaction with the European Union's Action Plan to strengthen the fight against tax fraud and tax evasion is also considered. Particular attention is paid to specific BEPS deliverables, exploring them through the prism of European Union law. Can the two approaches be aligned or are there inherent conflicts between them? The book also explores whether, when it comes to aggressive tax planning, there are internal conflicts between the established case law of the Court of Justice and the emerging policy of the European institutions. By so doing it offers a review of issues which are of constitutional importance to the European Union. Finally, the book reflects on the future of international and European tax law in the post-BEPS world.

This book examines the most recent developments, analysis and research concerning taxation in the United States. Topics discussed in this compilation include a review of Constitutional authorities under which Congress regulates state taxation; a brief overview of the Internet Tax Freedom Act; legal issues of taxation of internet sales and access; current laws related to the repatriation of foreign earnings; energy tax initiatives; energy tax policies; and differences in definitions and rules in the tax code.

The financing of the federal government depends largely upon Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) ability to collect taxes, including providing taxpayer services that make voluntary compliance easier and enforcing tax laws to ensure compliance with tax responsibilities. This book analyses select IRS business units' budget and staffing; describes how IRS is managing in a constrained budget environment; assesses key data for information technology (IT) investments; and describes IRS progress in implementing selected United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) open recommendations. Furthermore, the book assesses IRS's strategy to address budget cuts and use of return on investment (ROI) analysis.

This an updated version on my original book release, with added information about why marijuana is legal in America. Added bonus sections, Narcotic Rights, Affidavit of Marijuana Rights and Narcotic Rights. These bonus sections will help you understand how to claim your rights and apply them. In the beginning God created all the seed bearing plants for food God's word is true Cannabis Hemp is also a strategic food source for America, and there are over 25,000 products that can be made from it. This is a wonder plant created by God, and the greatest plant on earth for an eco-friendly green economy. That is how you can know that our government is a bunch of liars and thieves when they say they want a green economy. They are not for a green economy They are about more power, and stealing all our rights. The truth will make you free. This book lays out in fine detail our 'unambiguous conferred rights and liabilities' established by the United States Congress in 1939. U.S.C. TITLE 26, Subtitle F, CHAPTER 80, Sec. 7851 (b) Effect of repeal of Internal Revenue Code of 1939 (1) Existing rights and liabilities The repeal of any provision of the Internal Revenue Code of 1939 shall not affect any act done or any right accruing or accrued, or any suit or proceeding had or commenced in any civil cause, before such repeal; but all rights and liabilities under such code shall continue, and may be enforced in the same manner, as if such repeal had not been made. Why Marijuana is Legal in America gives a detailed easy-to-understand breakdown of laws and one's 'rights and liabilities'. But this book is more than an introduction to knowing one's 'rights and liabilities'. It lays the foundation and concept of a bigger picture to knowing that marijuana is just one subject of many 'rights and liabilities'. Do you know your marijuana 'rights and liabilities'? Such as, a 'natural person's' established right of 'transfer, purchase and possession' for marijuana. Hopefully, this book leads to the industrialization of Cannabis Hemp in America. Who needs the Arabs oil when 6% of our land will produce all the domestic oil needs of America. It is time to become well educated and take back our government from these evil-selfish-little-tyrants.

The Exempt Organizations (EO) unit within the Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TE/GE) division at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reviews organisations' applications for tax-exempt status to determine whether to grant status and oversees existing exempt organisations' compliance with the tax code. To identify exempt organisations for possible examination, EO uses a variety of information sources: for example, EO receives referrals of exempt organisation noncompliance from third parties, such as the public, and other parts of IRS. This book describes these processes and assesses the adequacy of examination selection controls.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended) included a provision to impose an excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored insurance (ESI) coverage beginning in 2018. This provision, popularly termed the Cadillac tax, imposes an excise tax on ESI coverage in excess of a predetermined threshold. The tax is imposed on the coverage provider, typically the health insurance provider or the entity that administers the plan benefits. Currently, employers' spending on ESI coverage and most employees' contributions to ESI plans are exempt from income and payroll taxes. Although proposals to limit the amount of health insurance benefits eligible for this exclusion were considered, the ACA, as enacted, did not limit the exclusion for employer-provided health insurance coverage. The Cadillac tax discourages high-cost employer health plans through another approach. This book examines several issues. It evaluates the potential of the Cadillac tax to affect health insurance coverage and the health care market. It also examines the expected incidence (burden) of the tax -- that is, which group's income will be reduced by the tax. Finally, the book discusses implications for economic efficiency in the context of tax administration.

Under federal law, local governments are compensated through various programs for reductions to their property tax bases due to the presence of most federally owned land. These lands cannot be taxed, but may create demand for services such as fire protection, police cooperation, or simply longer roads to skirt the federal property. Some of these programs are run by specific agencies and apply only to that agency's land. The most widely applicable program, administered by the Department of the Interior (DOI), applies to many types of federally owned land, and is called "Payments in Lieu of Taxes," or PILT. The authorized level of PILT payments is calculated under a complex formula. This report addresses only the PILT program administered by DOI. There is no PILT-like program generally applicable to military lands, but a small fraction of military lands are eligible for the DOI PILT program. Furthermore, PILT does not apply to Indian-owned lands, virtually none of which are subject to local taxes. This report explains PILT payments, with an analysis of the five major factors affecting the calculation of a payment to a given county. It also describes the effects of certain changes in PILT in 2008. Previously, annual appropriations were necessary to fund PILT, but a 2008 provision (in P.L. 110-343) for mandatory spending ensured that, beginning with FY2008 and continuing through the payment to be made in 2012, all counties will receive 100% of the authorized payment. On July 6, 2012, the President signed P.L. 112-141, containing a provision extending mandatory spending to FY2013. Other issues have been the inclusion of additional lands under the PILT program, particularly some or all Indian lands, which are not now eligible for PILT. Most categories of Indian-owned lands cannot be taxed by local governments, though they generally enjoy county services. In some counties, this means a very substantial portion of the land is not taxable. The remaining tax burden (for roads, schools, fire and police protection, etc.) therefore falls more heavily on other property owners. To help compensate for this burden, some counties have proposed that Indian lands (variously defined) be included among those eligible for PILT payments. Examples of other lands mentioned from time to time for inclusion are those of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Departments of Defense and Homeland Security. In addition, some counties would like to revisit the compensation formula to emphasize a payment rate more similar to property tax rates (which vary widely among counties), a feature that would be a major change in counties with high property values. Finally, for lands in the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS), some have argued that all lands of the system should be eligible for PILT, rather than limiting the PILT payments to lands reserved from the public domain and excluding PILT payments for acquired lands. The exclusion of NWRS-acquired lands affects primarily counties in eastern states. With the extension of mandatory spending to FY2013, the program would return to funding through annual appropriations in FY2014. Over the next few years, the larger debate for Congress might then be summarized as three decisions: (1) whether to approve future extensions of mandatory spending (either temporary or permanent); (2) whether to make the diametrically opposed choice of reducing the program through appropriations or changing the PILT formula; and (3) whether to add or subtract any lands to the list of those now eligible for PILT payments. Background on all three issues is discussed here.

The use of economic sanctions to stem weapons proliferation acquired a new dimension in the 1990s. While earlier legislation required the cutoff of foreign aid to countries engaged in specified nuclear proliferation activities and mentioned other sanctions as a possible mechanism for bringing countries into compliance with goals of treaties or international agreements, it was not until 1990 that Congress enacted explicit guidelines for trade sanctions related to missile proliferation. In that year a requirement for the President to impose sanctions against U.S. persons or foreign persons engaging in trade of items or technology listed in the Missile Technology Control Regime Annex (MTCR Annex) was added to the Arms Export Control Act and to the Export Administration Act of 1979. Subsequently, Congress legislated economic sanctions against countries that contribute to the proliferation of chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons in a broad array of laws.

This book contains an explanation of the major provisions of the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes as they apply to transfers in 2014. It provides basic principles regarding the computation of these three transfer taxes. It also provides a history, description, and analysis of the Federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes (also referred to as the "wealth transfer taxes"), as well as a description of selected reform proposals.