Question & Answer

] Lindley has become very frustrated in researching a tax issue using keyword searches.  What suggestions can you give her?

] In constructing a keyword search, what should the keyword search include?

Discuss the basic differences between annotated and topical tax services.  How are these services used in tax research?

Aminata is a tax expert, whereas Rob is a tax novice.  Explain how their process in identifying tax issues may differ.

In writing a research memo, what types of facts should be included in the memo?

What is the difference between open and closed facts?  How is this distinction important in conducting tax research?

Jorge is puzzled that the IRS and his CPA could legitimately reach different conclusions on a tax issue.  Why does this happen?

What is the difference between primary and secondary authorities?  Explain the role of each authority type in conducting tax research.

What are the five basic parts of an internal research memo?

The president recently vetoed a tax act passed by the House and Senate.  Is the tax act dead?  If not, what will it take for the act to be passed?

What are the three committees that debate proposed tax legislation?  What documents do these committees generate, and how might they be used?

Describe in general the process by which new tax legislation is enacted.

Mason was shocked to learn that the current Code is the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.  He thought that U.S. tax laws change more frequently.  What is wrong with Mason’s perception?

What is stare decisis, and how does it relate to the Golsen rule?

In researching a tax question, you find only one authority (a trial-level court opinion) that is directly on point.  Which court would you least prefer to have heard this case, and why?  

Tyrone recently read a regulation that Congress specifically requested the IRS to issue.  What type of regulation is this?  How does this regulation’s authoritative weight compare to other regulations?

Carlos has located a regulation that appears to answer his tax research question.  He is concerned because the regulation is a temporary regulation.  Evaluate the authoritative weight of this type of regulation.  Should he feel more or less confident in his answer if the regulation is a proposed regulation?

Under what circumstances would the IRS issue an acquiescence? A nonacquiescence? An action on decision?

Suppose you asked your favorite AI query tool the following question: “How do Democrats and Republicans view a civilized society and a healthy economy?”  The AI tool provided the following response:  

Is the AI response to the question accurate?  Explain.

Suppose you asked your favorite AI query tool the following question: “Who Cares about taxes and why?”  The AI tool provided the following response:  

Using the Internet, find a comparison of income tax rates across states.  What state currently has the highest income tax rate?  In considering individual tax burdens across states, what other taxes should you consider?

Locate the IRS Web site at www.irs.gov/ .  For every $100 the IRS collected, how much was spent on the IRS collection efforts?  What tax system criterion does this information help you to evaluate with respect to the current U.S. tax system?

What are the basic differences between regulations, revenue rulings, and private letter rulings?

Laura Li, a U.S. resident, works for three months this summer in China.  What type of tax authority may be especially useful in determining the tax consequences of her foreign income?

Jackie has just opened her copy of the Code for the first time.  She looks at the table of contents and wonders why it is organized the way it is.  She questions whether it makes sense to try and understand the Code’s organization.  What are some reasons why understanding the organization of the Internal Revenue Code may prove useful?