FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Reportable Transactions Newsletter
January 29, 2010 -- 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. These
penalties may apply even if the transaction does not lead to an
understatement of tax.
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
attachments, 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. The attachment, with
links to the source documents, can be found on our website at
www.lohmancompany.com/reference.htm. 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
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