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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reportable Transactions Newsletter

February 3, 2009 -- This letter is to alert you to substantial penalties that the IRS can impose for failure to disclose “reportable transactions”.  Reportable transactions are divided into five categories discussed below. 

The penalty for failure to disclose a “listed transaction” on the appropriate tax return is $100,000 for an individual and $200,000 for other taxpayers.  The penalty for failure to disclose any other reportable transaction is $10,000 for an individual and $50,000 for other taxpayers.

REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS

Listed Transactions – As of the date of this letter, the IRS has identified 34 listed transactions which are summarized on the attachment to this letter.  Each transaction has a reference to the IRS Notice or other ruling naming the transaction as a “listed transaction” and providing details about it.  You may get further information from the IRS web site at www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations.  In the Search bar, type in Listed Abusive Tax Shelters and Transactions.

Confidential Transactions – Transactions that are offered under conditions of confidentiality limiting what you can disclose about the tax treatment or structure of the transaction and for which you or a related party paid an advisor a minimum fee.  The minimum fee for a transaction is $250,000 for corporations (and partnerships or trusts in which all of the owners or beneficiaries are corporations) and $50,000 for all other taxpayers.

Transactions with Contractual Protection – Transactions for which you, or a related party, have the right to a full or partial refund of fees if all or part of the intended tax consequences are not sustained.  These also include transactions for which fees are contingent on your realization of tax benefits from the transaction.

Loss Transactions – Transactions resulting in losses under IRC Sec. 165 for individuals, partnerships, S corporations and trusts that are at least $2 million in any single tax year or $4 million in any combination of tax years.  The thresholds for C corporations (and partnerships with only C corporations as partners) are $10 million in any single tax year or $20 million in any combination of tax years.  In addition, the threshold for individuals or trusts with losses arising from certain foreign currency transactions is $50,000 in any single taxable year.

Transactions of Interest – As of the date of this letter, the IRS has identified four transactions of interest which are also summarized on the attachment to this letter.

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Please carefully review this letter and the listed abusive tax shelters and transactions and transactions of interest located here, then notify us as soon as possible if you believe you may have participated in one of the described transactions.  We will need to get more information about the transaction from you and discuss the required disclosure.  Please call us at 480.355.1100 if you have any questions.


For More Information Contact:

Lohman Company, PLLC
Stapley Center
1630 South Stapley Drive, Suite 108
Mesa, AZ  85204

Phone:   (480) 355-1100
Fax:       (480) 355-1130
Internet: info@lohmancompany.com