2026 Understanding Powerful IRS Forms: Form 843, Form 3115 & More
Some of the most valuable IRS forms are the ones tax preparers may not use every day. When a client faces penalties, missed depreciation, accounting method issues, excess Social Security withholding, or the purchase or sale of a business, knowing which form may apply can help you identify the right next step.
In this course, Jason Dinesen, EA, takes a practical look at Form 843, Form 3115, Form 8594, and other important tax concepts that can help you address situations beyond routine return preparation.
Explore how Form 843 may be used when seeking certain refunds or the abatement of penalties and interest, including the factors and documentation that may support reasonable cause. Learn when depreciation errors can be corrected with an amended return and when an established accounting method may instead require Form 3115. You'll also examine additional Form 3115 applications involving accounting and inventory methods.
The course concludes with Form 8594 and the tax implications of allocating the purchase price when a business is bought or sold.
Through practical examples, calculations, and real-world scenarios, you'll gain a better understanding of these powerful IRS forms and when they may become valuable tools for your clients.
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:
- Explain how Form 843 may be used to request certain refunds or the abatement of penalties and interest.
- Identify factors and documentation that may support penalty relief based on reasonable cause.
- Recognize when Form 843 may apply to excess Social Security withholding.
- Determine when depreciation errors may require Form 3115 rather than an amended return.
- Explain how Form 3115 can be used to address missed or improper depreciation.
- Identify accounting method and inventory changes that may involve Form 3115.
- Describe inventory options discussed for qualifying small business taxpayers.
- Explain the purpose of Form 8594 when a business is purchased or sold.
- Recognize how purchase-price allocation 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 is this course designed for?
This course is designed for tax preparers who want to expand their understanding of specialized IRS forms and the situations where they may be used to address client tax issues.
Which IRS forms are covered?
The course focuses primarily on Form 843, Form 3115, and Form 8594, along with related federal tax concepts involving penalty relief, depreciation, accounting methods, inventory, and business transactions.
What will I learn about Form 843?
You'll explore how Form 843 may be used to request certain refunds or the abatement of penalties and interest, along with reasonable-cause considerations and supporting documentation.
Does the course cover missed depreciation?
Yes. You'll examine when missed depreciation may be corrected through an amended return and when an established accounting method may require Form 3115 instead.
Does Form 3115 apply to more than depreciation?
Yes. The course also discusses Form 3115 in connection with other accounting method changes, including cash versus accrual accounting and inventory methods.
What does the course cover about Form 8594?
You'll learn about the role of Form 8594 in the purchase or sale of a business and how purchase-price allocation can affect the tax treatment of assets for buyers and sellers.
Does this course include practical examples?
Yes. Jason uses scenarios and calculations throughout the course to demonstrate how these concepts may apply to real taxpayer situations.
When was this course recorded?
This course was recorded on August 26, 2026.
Does this course qualify for IRS continuing education credit?
Yes. This course counts for 2 hours of IRS CE under the category of Federal Tax Law Related Matters.
