This practical course focuses on real-world tax season problem solving, using recorded instruction and included Q&A to address common filing errors, missed opportunities, and penalty-triggering issues encountered during the 2025 and 2026 filing seasons. Recorded on February 4, 2026, the course reflects current guidance, thresholds, and deadlines applicable to active filing scenarios.
Topics include extension strategies, estimated tax payment planning, retirement contribution deadlines, RMD compliance, credit eligibility, and frequent filing mistakes that delay processing or generate IRS notices. The included Q&A segment addresses common practitioner questions and real client scenarios, reinforcing how to apply the concepts correctly during tax season. Emphasis is placed on preventing errors before returns are filed and improving outcomes through proactive planning.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion, participants will be able to:
- Analyze extension and estimated tax payment strategies to minimize penalties, interest, and cash-flow disruptions
- Identify and correct common filing errors related to credits, dependents, filing status, and documentation
- Apply current RMD rules and retirement contribution deadlines for the 2025 and 2026 tax years
- Evaluate eligibility and limitations for key credits, deductions, and exclusions commonly claimed on individual returns
- Recognize FBAR and digital asset reporting thresholds and filing obligations
- Implement proactive tax season planning techniques to reduce amended returns and IRS notices
This course counts for 2 Hours of Federal Tax Law for IRS Continuing Education.
About the Presenter:
Doug Stives is considered a worldwide leader in public and management accounting by AICPA & CIMA. He is a CPA, MBA, and recently retired professor of Accounting at Monmouth University and a professional speaker at many organizations and conferences. Doug was honored as Monmouth's Outstanding Business Professor of the Year in 2009, 2016, and 2024 and was awarded an Outstanding Educator award in 2021 by the New Jersey Society of CPAs. Frequent media exposure includes The Wall Street Journal and other national publications and television, including CNN, CNBC, PBS, NBC, Fox, CBS, ABC, and several cable networks. Doug was once dubbed as the "Most Tax Efficient Man in America" by the Wall Street Journal.
