"Tax Talk Today" Online

Browsing through the Trusts & Estates website recently, I noted a useful learning service regarding federal tax laws and return preparation, available on the Internet: Tax Talk Today.

Sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service, Tax Talk Today is a live Internet program featuring industry tax experts and professionals and top representatives from the IRS.

Each program features discussions, real time interaction and the opportunity for viewers to participate in the discussion by e-mailing questions directly to the studio. Late-breaking news from the IRS may augment or pre-empt original programming, making Tax Talk Today a primary you heard it here first source of news about IRS initiatives, rules and decisions.

In addition to the Live webcast, the FREE programs are available for up to 12 months through Tax Talk Today archives, as audio Podcasts or on DVD (perfect for conducting group viewings or for staff training).

This service began in 2001 as a public service of the IRS, according to "Website of the Month: Tax Talk Today" (2004), by  Susan B. Anders, posted by The CPA Journal, published by the New York State Society of CPAs.  Since 2009, the presentations have been produced by Tax Talk Today, Inc., a private company in Bethesda, MD, with content provided by tax-related companies in coordination with the IRS .

Tax Talk Today is promoted as a free service for those "auditing" presentations -- that is, those who do not expect to receive certified professional education credits.  Without payment (but still with a required online registration), you can replay any presentation, either live or archived, over an Internet-connected device.  Also, you can read the word-for-word transcripts of any past session, including any post-presentation supplemental materials.

Free of charge, viewers can tune in to each program and watch live, in addition to watching for up to 12 months by going to the Archives, or listening to the Audio Podcasts.

Earning CPE credit requires a purchase.* * *

The topics are varied, current, and important for tax professionals.  Past presentations are archived for a year, so listening or retrieving materials can be done conveniently.

Examples of archived presentations in 2011 instructive for a trust and estates lawyer, an accountant/preparer, or a consumer interested in this federal tax principles and procedures, include:

• Individuals: Complex Tax Issues Reviewed (09/13/11)
• Small Business Filings – Expenses, Credits & Recordkeeping (07/12/11) 
• Family Filing – Do’s and Don’ts (06/14/11)
• Ethics - Circular 230 Update (05/10/11)
• 2010 Individual Tax Law Update: Changes In A Complex and Uncertain Time (01/11/11)

To watch a presentation or access transcripts of past sessions, you must first provide an email address and create a password, then reply to an automated message sent to that email address.  When you log in for the first time, you must complete a registration form with basic information.

All that is simple.  Far harder is recalling what email address and password you supplied originally -- so keep both with your tax records.

"Our office thinks these tax talk sessions are a great idea.

An easy way of getting information out."
-- A Tax Talk Today participant