Approved IAR CE Courses

The current litigation explosion has created tremendous interest in asset protection. Not only does this area have financial and estate aspects, but it also directly impacts tax planning. This mini-course is designed to survey opportunities for asset protection that can arise during tax planning and to determine how to properly report such transactions.

The various ideas, methods, and techniques to optimize the overall compensation package for key employees and principals are examined in this mini-course. Generally, businesses may deduct employees' pay including wages, salaries, and other perks. Certain fringe benefits that can provide an unusually tax-favored manner of supplementing compensation are described and evaluated. In addition, equity participation is explored through stock sales, repurchase agreements, incentive stock options, ESOTs, stock options, and bonuses. Finally, deferred compensation arrangements are investigated. The goal of this mini-course is to provide participants with a working knowledge of the types of compensation necessary to structure a compensation package minimizing tax liabilities and cost.

According to a survey done by the Pew Research Center whose results were published in April 2023, 17% of Americans indicated they personally have invested in, traded or otherwise used virtual currency. Additionally, the number of people investing in or engaging in transactions involving virtual currency continue to increase. These statistics strongly suggest that tax preparers must be aware of the nature of virtual currency and its tax treatment. It's to provide that awareness that Tax Treatment of Virtual Currency was written.

The best way to accumulate a significant amount of wealth is by creating and following through on a financial plan. In the Wealth Management course, we show how to create such a plan, while also discussing how to preserve your existing wealth, and enroll the services of a financial advisor. The course also covers the essential elements of all key types of investments, including stocks, bonds, real estate, and alternative investments. In addition, the course covers a variety of related topics, including charitable contributions, insurance, and individual retirement accounts. In total, the course is designed to give you a firm grounding in wealth management principles.