Daily Tax Update - May 4, 2010

IRS TO HOST NATIONWIDE OPEN HOUSE ON MAY 15^TH: The IRS will host a special nationwide Open House on Saturday, May 15 to help small businesses and individuals solve tax problems. The IRS said that approximately 200 IRS offices, at least one in every state, will be open May 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. IRS staff will be available on site or by telephone to help taxpayers work through issues involving notices and payments, return preparation, audits and a variety of other issues.

• IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said, “Our goal is to resolve issues on the spot so small businesses and individuals can put any issues they have with the IRS behind them. If you have a problem filing or paying your taxes or resolving a tough tax issue, we encourage you to come in and work with us.”
• Additional information can be accessed here. 

IRS SEEKS APPLICATIONS FOR ADVISORY COUNCIL: Today, the IRS announced that it is accepting applications for new members for the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC). IRSAC has about 20 open seats for three-year terms starting in January 2011. IRSAC can have up to 35 members and submits a report to the IRS Commissioner annually at a public meeting in the fall. Applications will be accepted from May 3 to June 18, 2010.

• IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said, “Members of IRSAC provide the IRS with important feedback from a wide range of professionals dealing with many different aspects of our tax system. IRSAC members are doing their part to support sound tax administration.”  
• Additional information can be accessed here.

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE - CIRCULAR 230 DISCLOSURE:
As provided for in Treasury regulations, advice (if any) relating to federal taxes that is contained in this communication (including attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any plan or arrangement addressed herein.

STEPTOE & JOHNSON LLP - TAX PRACTICE
Steptoe & Johnson LLP has one of the largest and most diverse law firm tax practices in the country. The practice covers the entire spectrum of federal taxation, including representation of businesses before the Congress, Treasury and the national office of the IRS; transactional planning for domestic and multinational corporations; complex audit and controversy work for corporations and other business interests contesting IRS adjustments; litigation before the Tax Court, Court of Federal Claims, district courts, courts of appeals and the Supreme Court. The firm's tax practice also encompasses all aspects of employee benefits (ERISA), executive compensation, tax-exempt organizations and charitable giving. Steptoe has an extensive state and local tax practice, representing an array of business clients on complex sales and use tax, corporate income tax and property tax matters, both advising those clients and handling audits, administrative appeals, and litigation for them. Read more information on Steptoe's tax practice.

• Learn more about the members of the tax practice group.