Spring Conference

IRS representation is not a field where you can afford to fall behind. Procedures change, enforcement shifts, and new challenges continue to emerge — which means staying current is part of serving clients well.

The Spring Conference is designed to help you do exactly that.

In just one day, you’ll hear from five experienced instructors on timely topics that matter to today’s IRS representation work. Each session is built to give you practical insights, stronger case strategies, and ideas you can apply directly in your practice.

If you want to stay sharp, strengthen your skills, and become more effective and profitable in your tax resolution work, this event is built for you.

Audit Reconsideration vs. Doubt as to Liability OIC

When a client is hit with an unfavorable audit result, the next step is not always obvious. In this session, you’ll learn how to evaluate two potential paths forward — Audit Reconsideration and a Doubt as to Liability Offer in Compromise — and better determine which option makes the most sense based on the facts, timing, and legal support behind the case.

What you’ll learn:

• when Audit Reconsideration may be the right next step after an IRS examination
• when a Doubt as to Liability OIC may be the stronger option
• key legal and procedural differences between the two approaches
• factors to consider when deciding which path to pursue
• how to build a more supportable strategy based on the client’s situation

Presented by LG Brooks, EA, CTRS
LG Brooks brings decades of tax resolution experience and a practical understanding of how to evaluate complex case options when the audit outcome is not the end of the story.

Using Bankruptcy to Resolve Tax Problems

Bankruptcy can be one of the most powerful tools available in a tax resolution case — especially when a client is dealing with both tax debt and other financial obligations. In this session, you’ll learn when bankruptcy may offer a meaningful path forward, how tax debts can be treated in the bankruptcy process, and how to evaluate bankruptcy alongside other resolution strategies.

What you’ll learn:

• the basic rules for discharging federal and state tax debts
• how income taxes and payroll taxes are treated in bankruptcy
• when bankruptcy may offer advantages over other resolution options
• how bankruptcy can work alongside other tax resolution tools
• strategies for identifying cases where bankruptcy may provide the best overall result

Presented by Gary Bluestein, Esq.
Gary Bluestein brings more than 40 years of experience to this topic, including 14 years as an IRS counsel attorney and service as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney representing the IRS in bankruptcy court. He also taught Tax Practice & Procedure for more than 20 years at the University at Buffalo School of Law.

How to Avoid IRS Paid Preparer Due Diligence Penalties

Due diligence penalties are a growing risk for tax professionals, and the consequences can be costly. In this session, you’ll get a practical look at how these penalties are triggered, what the IRS looks for during a review, and what preparers can do to strengthen compliance, reduce risk, and better defend themselves when a penalty is proposed.

What you’ll learn:

• which credits and filing positions trigger due diligence requirements
• the core requirements every preparer must satisfy
• what the IRS considers a proper reasonable inquiry
• how preparers are selected for review and how the process unfolds
• common mistakes that lead to penalties
• strategies for defending against a proposed penalty and navigating Appeals

Presented by John T. Kelshaw, EA
John Kelshaw brings decades of IRS and compliance experience to this topic, including service as a Revenue Agent, Appeals Officer, Director of Compliance at Jackson Hewitt, and later as a trainer for new SB/SE Revenue Agents.

When to Stay Quiet and When to Push in IRS Resolution

In IRS representation, knowing when to hold back and when to press forward can have a major impact on the outcome of a case. In this session, Steve Klitzner will walk through how to strategically balance restraint and assertiveness in audits, collections, and unfiled return situations so you can better protect your client while moving the case toward resolution.

What you’ll learn:

• when staying quiet may be the smarter strategic move
• when proactive engagement or escalation is necessary
• how to read IRS behavior and identify leverage points
• common unforced errors representatives make
• how timing, sequencing, and documentation can strengthen your position
• practical ways to apply pressure professionally and effectively

Presented by Steven Klitzner, Esq., CTRS
Steven Klitzner is the CEO of Florida Tax Solvers, where his practice is fully focused on IRS tax resolution. He currently serves on the IRS Advisory Council and has taught tax resolution strategies to thousands of practitioners around the country.

Using the IRM to Strengthen Your IRS Cases

The Internal Revenue Manual can be one of the most useful tools available to a tax resolution professional. In this session, you’ll learn how to use the IRM to better understand IRS procedures, identify when the Service may be overstepping its own guidelines, and support stronger advocacy for your clients.

What you’ll learn:

• what the IRM is and how it differs from the Internal Revenue Code
• what kinds of issues the IRM covers in IRS representation work
• how to use the IRM to challenge improper or inconsistent IRS positions
• practical examples of how IRM references can support financial analysis and case strategy
• ways to find relevant IRM sections more efficiently in your day-to-day work

Presented by Megan Scott, EA
Megan Scott is an Enrolled Agent with nearly a decade of experience in a small firm focused exclusively on tax resolution, where she helps taxpayers navigate IRS issues and develop practical case solutions.

The American Society of Tax Problem Solvers is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.NASBARegistry.org.

The American Society of Tax Problem Solvers (ASTPS) is an approved continuing education provider through the IRS.

This Events Features:

COMPLETELY VIRTUAL

7 HOURS OF CE/CPE

12 MONTH ACCESS TO RECORDINGS