Tax in Action: Practical Strategies for Tax Pros

Jeremy Wells, EA, CPA

Join Jeremy Wells, EA, CPA, as he breaks down the complexities of tax law into practical guidance you can apply immediately. Each episode focuses on a specific tax strategy, credit, or compliance issue that matters to tax professionals and business owners. Rather than theoretical discussions, Jeremy delivers actionable insights based on real-world scenarios and current tax regulations. Whether you're navigating Section 1031 exchanges, maximizing research credits, or helping clients with energy tax incentives, this podcast provides the technical details and strategic considerations you need to confidently serve your clients. Perfect for tax practitioners looking to deepen their expertise and business owners wanting to make more informed tax decisions.

Last refreshed: August 15th, 2025 at 5:26 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Repair vs. Improvement: When Can You Deduct It?

A rental property owner faces a $27,000 repair bill after a plumbing leak forces a complete bathroom renovation, water heater replacement, and structural repairs. Jeremy breaks down Treasury Decision 9636's framework for distinguishing between deductible repairs and capitalized improvements, using the three-part test of betterment, restoration, and adaptation. He also explains three valuable safe harbors including the de minimis election and routine maintenance provisions that can help property ...

Aug 06, 2025•56 min•Ep. 8

The Knowledge Economy Tax Trap: When Education Costs Aren't Deductible

Jeremy breaks down the complex world of work-related education tax benefits, revealing why most educational expenses aren't as deductible as business owners think. He explains the stark difference between limited educational assistance programs that cap benefits at $5,250 annually and business expense deductions that often get rejected by the IRS for qualifying taxpayers for "new trades or businesses." Through real tax court cases involving everyone from IRS agents trying to deduct law school to...

Jul 23, 2025•57 min•Ep. 7

The Refund Statute of Limitations: When Time Runs Out

Understanding the refund statute of limitations can mean the difference between claiming a refund and losing that money forever. This episode breaks down the complex rules around when taxpayers can file refund claims and how much they can recover, using the recent Hamilton v. US case as a cautionary tale. Whether you're dealing with late-filed returns, amended returns, or clients who've fallen behind on their taxes, these statute of limitations rules will determine what's possible and what's per...

Jul 09, 2025•55 min•Ep. 6

Joint vs Separate: Marriage Filing Fundamentals

Most tax professionals assume joint filing is the default for married couples, but the tax code actually says the opposite. Jeremy Wells explores the surprising reality that married filing separately is technically the default status, requiring both spouses to elect joint filing under IRC Section 6013. He breaks down the key disadvantages of separate returns—from reduced credits to income limitations—while explaining legitimate scenarios where paying extra tax through separate filing can lead to...

Jun 25, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 5

The 1031 Exchange Basics

Jeremy Wells breaks down the fundamentals of Section 1031 exchanges, explaining how real estate investors can defer capital gains taxes by swapping properties rather than selling and buying separately. He clarifies common misconceptions about these transactions, walks through the strict timing requirements including the 45-day identification and 180-day completion rules, and examines court cases that reveal when the IRS challenges whether replacement properties were truly intended for investment...

Jun 11, 2025•57 min•Ep. 4

S-Corporation Reality Check

Jeremy dives deep into the critical red flags that should make tax professionals pump the brakes on S-corporation elections. From balance sheet debt ratios that could trigger unexpected taxable events to operating agreement provisions that can inadvertently terminate S-elections, this episode challenges the "default to S-corp" mentality that's become prevalent in tax advisory circles. Jeremy breaks down the specific scenarios where partnerships or sole proprietorships actually serve business own...

May 28, 2025•57 min•Ep. 3

Cracking the R&D Tax Credit Code: Section 41 Explained

The R&D tax credit offers significant tax-saving potential, yet remains misunderstood by many small business owners and their advisors. Jeremy breaks down the key components of the Section 41 credit, explaining qualified research activities, eligible expenses, and calculation methods. Small service-based businesses might qualify more often than they realize, especially when research activities relate to technological innovation, computer science, or engineering processes. Sponsors SafeSend -...

May 21, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 2

Clean Energy Tax Credits: What Qualifies and What Doesn't

Solar installations create valuable tax benefits, but determining eligible expenses requires careful analysis. Jeremy Wells breaks down the Residential Clean Energy Credit under IRC Section 25D, explaining which costs qualify, how to handle roof modifications, and when the credit can be claimed. The episode provides essential guidance for tax professionals encountering clean energy improvements on client properties. Sponsors SafeSend - taxshow.promo/safesend (00:00) - Welcome to Tax in Action (0...

May 14, 2025•53 min•Ep. 1

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