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Courses/Tax/NASBA - Taxes *

Federal Tax Updates - Business Entities Issues and Cases

Navigate the evolving landscape of business entity taxation. Gain critical insights from recent federal tax updates and landmark court cases to optimize strategies and ensure compliance.

Created byAllison McLeod
BeginnerUpdated Nov 3, 2025
Federal Tax Updates - Business Entities Issues and Cases

What You'll Learn

check_circleAnalyze recent court cases impacting business deductions.
check_circleIdentify proper substantiation for various business expenses.
check_circleUnderstand tax implications for cannabis industry businesses.
check_circleDifferentiate qualified research and development expenditures.
check_circleDistinguish between employee and independent contractor classifications.
check_circleSummarize updates on Employee Retention Credit regulations.

About This Course

This course, "Federal Tax Updates - Business Entities Issues and Cases," delivers a crucial overview of the latest developments impacting business entities. Staying current with tax law is not just beneficial—it's essential for avoiding penalties and optimizing financial strategies. Throughout this program, we will explore significant legal precedents and IRS guidance that directly affect business operations and tax planning.

  • Business Deductions and Substantiation: Delve into recent court cases clarifying what constitutes an "ordinary and necessary" business expense, focusing on substantiation requirements and the implications of hobby losses versus legitimate business activities.
  • Net Operating Losses (NOLs): Understand the current rules for NOLs, including carryforward limitations and the critical need for proper documentation, even for historical losses.
  • Employee vs. Independent Contractor Classification: Examine updated guidance from the IRS on distinguishing employees from independent contractors, highlighting the financial and legal risks of misclassification.
  • Cannabis Industry Tax Issues: Navigate the complex federal tax landscape for cannabis businesses, particularly concerning the limited deductions allowed due to its Schedule 1 classification.
  • Research and Development (R&D) Expenditures and Credits: Learn about the criteria for claiming R&D credits, including the importance of demonstrating a "process of experimentation" and meeting other qualifying tests.
  • Pandemic-Era Programs (PPP & ERC): Analyze the ongoing challenges and enforcement actions related to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Employee Retention Credit (ERC), including recent legislative changes and increased promoter penalties.
  • Substance Over Form: Explore how courts apply the "substance over form" doctrine to business transactions, determining whether arrangements are respected for tax purposes or deemed shams.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with practical insights and updated knowledge to confidently advise business clients, mitigate tax risks, and identify new planning opportunities in a dynamic regulatory environment.

Your Instructor

Allison McLeod
Allison McLeod
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star575 reviews

Allison M. (Yee) McLeod, LL.M., JD, CPA, is currently a Senior Lecturer at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. She received Bachelor of Business Administration and Juris Doctor degrees from Baylor University, and a Master of Legal Letters (LL.M.) degree specializing in Taxation from the Southern Methodist University School of Law. Professor McLeod has also studied British and Art History at the University of Sussex, England. Prior to joining the UNT faculty in 2010, Professor McLeod held the position of Director of Tax Planning and IRS Audits for Lehigh Hanson North America, a major manufacturer of cement, aggregates and other building materials. Her practice included both federal and international tax planning. Professor McLeod also spent thirteen years specializing in Tax Planning with the JCPenney Corporation, Inc., and two years with Deloitte & Touche in Dallas. Professor McLeod has taught at the university level graduate classes on Ethics, Tax Research, Multi-jurisdictional Taxation, Individual Taxation and Corporate Income Tax in the past and currently teaches Financial Accounting and Ethics. She has also taught at the UNT College of Law as adjunct faculty. Since 2011, Professor McLeod has been honored to present live and on-line ethics CPE classes to CPAs across the nation. She also serves as an expert witness in accounting malpractice cases and maintains a small private practice serving individuals and small businesses. Professor McLeod has also taught at the University of North Texas College of Law as adjunct faculty. She has served on the Professional Ethics Committee of the Texas Society of CPAs and the AICPA CPA Exam REG Subcommittee. Professor McLeod is licensed to practice law by the State Bar of Texas since 1992 and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1993.

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We are a registered provider with 327+ associations and regulatory bodies worldwide. We operate across 29 global markets including Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK. Every course page clearly displays its specific accreditations. Upon completion, you receive a professional certificate that can be validated online. Our certificates include all necessary accreditation details, credit hours, and completion dates, and are formatted specifically to meet the submission requirements of most global regulatory bodies.