Tax preparers work with familiar IRS forms every day, but some client situations require forms that may not be part of your normal filing routine.
In this course, Jason Dinesen, EA, introduces Form 843, Form 3115, Form 8594, and related federal tax concepts that can help you recognize what to do when a client faces a less-common tax situation.
Learn how Form 843 may be used to request certain refunds or the abatement of penalties and interest, and explore the circumstances and documentation that may support penalty relief. You'll also see how Form 843 can come into play when excess Social Security tax has been withheld by a single employer.
The course then turns to Form 3115 and depreciation. Through practical rental-property examples, you'll learn why some depreciation errors can be corrected with an amended return while others may require a change in accounting method. Jason also explores inventory methods for qualifying small businesses and how Form 3115 may apply when changing an established method.
Finally, you'll examine Form 8594 and learn why allocating the purchase price when a business is bought or sold can have important tax consequences for both parties.
Build your federal tax knowledge and become more familiar with powerful IRS forms that can help you approach unusual client situations with greater confidence.
Recorded August 26, 2026
This course counts for 2 hours of IRS CE under the category of Federal Tax Law Related Matters.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the general purpose of Form 843 and situations where it may be used.
- Identify factors that may support reasonable cause for penalty relief.
- Recognize the importance of documentation when requesting penalty abatement.
- Identify when Form 843 may be relevant to excess Social Security withholding.
- Explain why certain depreciation errors may require Form 3115 instead of an amended return.
- Recognize when an accounting method has been established for depreciation purposes.
- Describe how Form 3115 can be used to address certain missed depreciation.
- Identify inventory methods discussed for qualifying small business taxpayers.
- Explain the general purpose of Form 8594.
- Recognize how allocating a business purchase price can affect buyers and sellers.
About the presenter:
Jason Dinesen (EA, LPA) is a tax nerd, entrepreneur, tax expert, and a well-known presenter of continuing education courses.
Known for his sharp tax interpretations, he is one of the quickest to bring the analysis of the latest tax updates and IRS guidance to the professional community. Jason has coached over 200,000 accounting, tax, and HR professionals on various topics of accounting, individual taxation, corporate taxation, professional ethics, and much more.
He has presented dozens of webinars on Form 1099 (for 10 years on this subject!), marriage in the tax code, tax updates, the new Form W-4, payroll updates, filing status, tax credits, corporation and partnership taxation, and other issues relating to the modern-day setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who should take this course?
This course is designed for tax preparers who want to strengthen their federal tax knowledge and become more familiar with specialized IRS forms that may arise in client situations.
Which IRS forms are covered?
The course focuses on Form 843, Form 3115, and Form 8594, along with related topics involving penalty relief, depreciation, inventory, accounting methods, and business sales.
What will I learn about penalty abatement?
You'll learn about factors that may support penalty relief, including reasonable cause, and the importance of documenting the facts and circumstances surrounding a taxpayer's failure to meet a tax obligation.
Does the course explain Form 3115 in practical terms?
Yes. Jason uses rental-property examples to illustrate when missed depreciation may be corrected through an amended return and when Form 3115 may instead be required.
Will I learn about inventory?
Yes. The course introduces inventory approaches available to qualifying small business taxpayers and discusses situations where changing an inventory method may involve Form 3115.
Why is Form 8594 important?
Form 8594 is used in connection with the purchase or sale of a business to report purchase-price allocation. The course explains why that allocation can affect the seller's gains and losses and the buyer's depreciation and amortization.
Are there examples and calculations?
Yes. The course includes numerous practical scenarios and calculations involving Social Security withholding, depreciation, inventory, and business acquisitions.
When was this course recorded?
This course was recorded on August 26, 2026.
Does this course provide IRS continuing education credit?
Yes. This course counts for 2 hours of IRS CE under the category of Federal Tax Law Related Matters.
