Cannabis is an industry that is of great interest to CPAs, finance professionals, investors, and the public at large. While many have found their way into the industry, there is still a fundamental question to be answered by each professional: should I take on this cannabis client or investment?

Since the inception of cryptocurrency in 2009, the very concept of currency has been challenged and debated. This article explains briefly what cryptocurrency is, how it works, and the current federal income tax implications on transactions using cryptocurrency.

According to the IRS 26 C.F.R. § 1.6109-2(d), “Beginning after December 31, 2010, all tax return preparers must have a preparer tax identification number or other prescribed identifying number that was applied for and received at the time and in the manner, including the payment of a user fee, as may be prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service.” However, since June 2017, the IRS has suspended this fee charged for a “practitioner tax identification number” or PTIN.

Tax accounting methods, and the ability to change those methods, are key issues for taxpayers.  Proper tax accounting methods, and continuing IRS changes to their method-change procedures, are at the front and center of all IRS audits. Tax accounting methods and their change procedures certainly have heightened awareness and importance to tax practitioners; and this is the rule yet again for this tax year.

Most taxable sale transactions are typically structured in one of three ways: asset sale, stock sale, or stock sale with a Sec. 338(h)(10) election. Each of these structures provides certain advantages to the buyer or seller. Below we’ll discuss the nuances of each structure and the importance of the allocation of the sales price.