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Part 1: 8Part 2: 8Part 3: 9
Question 1Part 3Practices & Procedureseasy

Fiona disagrees with the results of her IRS examination and wants to request an Appeals conference. She submits a written document outlining her position and the reasons for disagreement. What is the PRIMARY purpose of this written submission?

A

To establish the official record that will be used in Tax Court if the case is not settled

B

To frame the issues in dispute and provide the basis for settlement discussions with Appeals

C

To shift the burden of proof from the taxpayer to the IRS for all contested items

D

To request that the IRS suspend all collection activities until the appeal is resolved

Question 2Part 2Individual Taxpayer Issueshard

Sophia operates two separate sole proprietorships in 2025. Business A (consulting) generated $15,000 net profit on Schedule C. Business B (retail) generated $65,000 net profit on Schedule C. Sophia established a health insurance plan through Business A and paid $18,500 in premiums for herself and her family. She is not eligible for any employer-sponsored health plan. What is the maximum self-employed health insurance deduction Sophia can claim on Schedule 1?

A

$18,500, because her combined net profit from both businesses ($80,000) exceeds the premiums

B

$15,000, limited to the net profit of Business A where the plan was established

C

$65,000, limited to the net profit of Business B, the larger business

D

$80,000, the combined net profit from both businesses

Question 3Part 3Practices & Procedureseasy

Tony has a valid Form 2848 designating his EA, Lisa, as his representative before the IRS. Tony asks Lisa to sign his Form 1040 on his behalf because he is busy with work. Under the Form 2848 rules, can Lisa sign Tony's return?

A

A) Yes, because the POA authorizes all acts the taxpayer can perform

B

B) Yes, as long as Lisa includes her PTIN when signing

C

C) No, because a POA does not authorize return signing unless specific authority is granted and a qualifying reason exists

D

D) No, because only attorneys can sign returns on behalf of taxpayers

Question 4Part 3Practices & Procedureseasy

Maria prepared John's 2025 tax return but is not an EA, CPA, or attorney. She has a valid PTIN and a current Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP) Record of Completion for both the year of preparation and the year of representation. The IRS examination division contacts John about his return and John wants Maria to represent him at the examination. Under IRS rules, what authority does Maria have?

A

Maria has unlimited practice rights and can represent John in any IRS proceeding

B

Maria cannot represent John at all since she is not an EA, CPA, or attorney

C

Maria can represent John before revenue agents and examination officers for the return she prepared, but cannot represent him before Appeals, Collection, or other IRS offices

D

Maria can only represent John if she obtains special permission from the IRS for each case

Question 5Part 1Deductions and Creditseasy

Maria visits her dentist for a routine cleaning and has a cavity filled during 2025. She pays $350 out of pocket for the procedures. She also purchases a $12 tube of whitening toothpaste from the drugstore on her way home. Which of the following best describes the tax treatment of these expenses?

A

Both the dental work and the toothpaste are qualified medical expenses

B

Only the dental work is a qualified medical expense; the toothpaste is not deductible

C

Neither expense qualifies because dental care is considered cosmetic

D

Only the toothpaste qualifies because it was recommended by her dentist

Question 6Part 1Preliminary Work and Taxpayer Dataeasy

Karen is unmarried and has a 12-year-old son, Tyler, who lived with her all year. Karen paid $20,000 toward the household's total costs of $35,000. Tyler's father contributed the remaining $15,000 toward household expenses. Which statement best describes Karen's eligibility for Head of Household filing status?

A

Karen qualifies for HOH because she is unmarried, paid the largest share of household costs, and has a qualifying person who lived with her for more than half the year

B

Karen does not qualify for HOH because she did not pay at least 75% of the cost of maintaining the home

C

Karen qualifies for HOH simply because she is unmarried and has a child

D

Karen does not qualify for HOH because Tyler must be under age 10

Question 7Part 1Deductions and Creditseasy

Brenda, age 68, paid $4,000 in premiums for a qualified long-term care insurance contract during 2025. Her tax advisor tells her that the age-based limit for her age bracket (61-70) is $4,810, so she is below the limit. Brenda asks how this affects the amount she can include as a medical expense. Which statement correctly describes the treatment of her LTC premiums?

A

The full $4,000 is includible as a medical expense because her premiums are below the age-based cap

B

Only the difference between the $4,810 limit and her $4,000 in premiums ($810) is includible as a medical expense

C

None of the premiums are includible because LTC insurance does not qualify as a medical expense

D

The full $4,000 is a direct above-the-line deduction available to all taxpayers

Question 8Part 2Individual Taxpayer Issueshard

Chen operates a manufacturing business (non-SSTB) with 2025 taxable income of $520,000 (MFJ). His QBI is $400,000, W-2 wages paid are $80,000, and UBIA of qualified property is $1,200,000. Which limitation calculation results in the higher allowable QBI deduction for Chen?

A

50% of W-2 wages produces a higher limit than the combined W-2 plus UBIA calculation

B

25% of W-2 wages plus 2.5% of UBIA produces a higher limit than 50% of W-2 wages

C

Both formulas produce the same result, so either can be used

D

Neither limitation applies because manufacturing is not an SSTB

Question 9Part 3Practices & Procedureseasy

Phil receives a letter from the IRS proposing changes to his tax return and giving him 30 days to respond or request an Appeals conference. His neighbor Sarah receives a formal Notice of Deficiency giving her 90 days to petition Tax Court. Which statement correctly distinguishes these two notices?

A

A) They are the same document with different names

B

B) Phil's letter is an informal proposal; Sarah's is a formal statutory notice required before the IRS can assess additional tax

C

C) Phil's letter is more serious because it has a shorter deadline

D

D) Sarah's notice is optional — the IRS can assess tax without it

Question 10Part 3Practices & Procedureseasy

Peter receives a letter from the IRS asking him to mail in documentation supporting certain deductions on his tax return. What type of IRS examination is this?

A

Office audit

B

Field audit

C

Correspondence audit

D

Criminal investigation

Question 11Part 3Practices & Procedureseasy

In a Circular 230 disciplinary proceeding against an enrolled agent, who bears the burden of proof and what is the standard?

A

The practitioner must prove innocence by preponderance of the evidence

B

The government must prove allegations by clear and convincing evidence

C

The government must prove allegations beyond a reasonable doubt

D

The practitioner must prove good faith by clear and convincing evidence

Question 12Part 1Taxation and Advicehard

Natalie is a single filer who had 2024 AGI of $160,000 with total tax liability of $28,000. The estimated tax safe harbor for taxpayers with prior year AGI exceeding $150,000 is 110% of prior year tax. In 2025, Natalie's tax liability increased to $52,000. Her employer withheld $26,000 during 2025, and she made no estimated payments. All of the following statements about Natalie's situation are correct EXCEPT:

A

Natalie needed withholding and estimated payments totaling at least $30,800 (110% of $28,000) to meet the prior year safe harbor

B

Even though Natalie's withholding covers more than 90% of her 2024 tax, her 2024 AGI exceeding $150,000 means the applicable safe harbor is 110% of prior year tax

C

Natalie could potentially reduce or eliminate the penalty by using the annualized income installment method if her income was earned unevenly throughout the year

D

Natalie owes no estimated tax penalty because her withholding of $26,000 exceeds 100% of her prior year tax liability

Question 13Part 3Practices & Procedureseasy

Maria is a former IRS employee who worked for 6 years in the Examination Division interpreting and applying tax code provisions. She wants to represent taxpayers before the IRS. Carlos is an accountant who has never worked for the IRS but wants unlimited practice rights. Which path to enrolled agent status applies to each person?

A

Both must pass the Special Enrollment Examination

B

Maria can apply based on her IRS experience; Carlos must pass the Special Enrollment Examination

C

Carlos can apply based on his accounting background; Maria must pass the Special Enrollment Examination

D

Both can apply based on their professional credentials without examination

Question 14Part 2Business Income and Deductionseasy

Riverstone Construction purchases a used backhoe (5-year MACRS property) from an unrelated equipment dealer in 2025. The company has never used this backhoe before. Which statement correctly describes the company's eligibility for bonus depreciation on this equipment?

A

A) Used property never qualifies for bonus depreciation under any circumstances

B

B) The backhoe qualifies for bonus depreciation because it was acquired from an unrelated party and is new to the taxpayer

C

C) Only the original owner of the backhoe can claim bonus depreciation

D

D) Used property qualifies only if it has a recovery period of more than 20 years

Question 15Part 2Business Income and Deductionshard

Carlos operated a sole proprietorship landscaping business for five years using a commercial mower he purchased new in 2020. On January 15, 2025, Carlos transfers the mower to his newly formed single-member LLC (disregarded entity for tax purposes) and continues the landscaping business under the LLC structure. The mower's fair market value at transfer is $8,000, and Carlos claims this as the depreciable basis for the LLC. Can the LLC claim 40% bonus depreciation on the mower in 2025?

A

Yes, because the LLC is a new entity and has never used the mower before the transfer

B

Yes, because the transfer to a disregarded entity resets the placed-in-service date and qualifies as a new acquisition

C

No, because Carlos previously used the mower, and the transfer to his own disregarded entity does not constitute an acquisition from an unrelated party

D

No, because used property can never qualify for bonus depreciation regardless of prior use or relationship

Question 16Part 1Income and Assetseasy

Marcus purchased shares of ABC Corp stock on March 15, 2024, and sold them on March 15, 2025. He realized a gain on the sale. How should this gain be classified for tax purposes?

A

Long-term capital gain, because he held the stock for 12 full months

B

Short-term capital gain, because the holding period is exactly one year and does not exceed one year

C

Long-term capital gain, because he held the stock across two tax years

D

Ordinary income, because stock gains are always taxed as ordinary income

Question 17Part 1Specialized Returns and Taxpayershard

Eleanor died in 2025, and her will leaves her entire $18 million estate in a trust for the benefit of her grandchildren, bypassing her children entirely. Eleanor had already used her full estate tax exemption through prior lifetime gifts. Her estate has not used any generation-skipping transfer tax (GSTT) exemption. All of the following statements about the tax consequences are correct EXCEPT:

A

The transfer to the grandchildren's trust is subject to the generation-skipping transfer tax because the grandchildren are skip persons (two or more generations below Eleanor)

B

The GSTT is imposed at a flat rate of 40%, the same rate as the estate tax

C

The GSTT exemption can shelter a portion of the transfer, and any amount exceeding the exemption is subject to the 40% GSTT in addition to any estate tax owed

D

The GSTT replaces the estate tax on this transfer, so the estate owes only the 40% GSTT and no additional estate tax

Question 18Part 2Property Transactionshard

Aisha had the following §1231 results over the past six years: 2020: $10,000 loss; 2021: $5,000 gain; 2022: $15,000 loss; 2023: $8,000 gain; 2024: $3,000 loss; 2025: $25,000 gain. In 2025, she also has $12,000 of §1245 recapture from equipment sales that is already treated as ordinary income. How much of her 2025 §1231 gain will be treated as long-term capital gain?

A

$25,000—the entire §1231 gain is treated as long-term capital gain

B

$10,000—the 5-year lookback converts $15,000 to ordinary income

C

$13,000—the 5-year lookback converts $12,000 to ordinary income

D

$0—all §1231 gain is recharacterized as ordinary income due to prior losses

Question 19Part 3Representation Before IRSeasy

John had a tax assessment recorded in January 2015. In January 2026, he checks his IRS account transcript and notices the federal tax lien has automatically released. His accountant explains that a specific statute governed this automatic release. Which statement correctly describes the rule that caused the lien to release?

A

Federal tax liens release automatically after 5 years unless the taxpayer requests an extension

B

The IRS must manually review all liens every 7 years and release those no longer collectible

C

Federal tax liens self-release when the collection statute expiration date (CSED) expires, plus any extensions from agreements or proceedings

D

Liens remain indefinitely until the taxpayer files Form 12277 requesting release

Question 20Part 3Practices & Procedureseasy

Rachel, a CPA, prepares tax returns for her clients. Under Circular 230, is preparing a tax return considered "practice before the IRS"?

A

Yes, all tax preparation is practice before the IRS

B

No, preparing a tax return is specifically excluded from the definition of practice before the IRS

C

Only if the return is for a business entity

D

Only if the CPA signs the return as a paid preparer

Question 21Part 2Specialized Business Topicshard

Rivera Construction hired two individuals on January 5, 2025: (1) Daniel, a qualified TANF recipient who had received benefits for 10 consecutive months, and (2) Elena, a long-term TANF recipient who had received benefits for 26 consecutive months. Both employees worked full-time (2,080 hours/year) and earned $15,000 in 2025 and $15,500 in 2026. Rivera timely filed Form 8850 for both employees and received SWA certification. What is the total WOTC Rivera can claim for Elena over the two-year period compared to the total for Daniel?

A

Elena: $4,800; Daniel: $2,400

B

Elena: $9,000; Daniel: $2,400

C

Elena: $9,000; Daniel: $4,800

D

Elena: $12,000; Daniel: $4,800

Question 22Part 1Preliminary Work and Taxpayer Dataeasy

Linda provides financial support for her elderly aunt, Rose. Linda pays $10,000 toward Rose's total support of $18,000. Rose's only income is modest earnings from a part-time job, well below the gross income threshold for qualifying relatives. Rose lives independently in a different city. How should Linda evaluate the support test for claiming Rose as a qualifying relative?

A

Linda meets the support test because she provides the largest single share of Rose's support

B

Linda meets the support test because she provides more than half of Rose's total support

C

Linda does not meet the support test because she provides exactly half of Rose's support

D

Linda does not meet the support test because she provides less than the required share of Rose's total support

Question 23Part 1Income and Assetseasy

Marcus received a $2,000 security deposit from his tenant in January 2025. At the end of the lease in December, Marcus returned $1,500 to the tenant and kept $500 to cover damages to the property. How should Marcus treat the security deposit for tax purposes?

A

Report $2,000 as rental income in January when received

B

Report $500 as rental income in December when he kept that portion

C

Report $1,500 as a rental expense and $500 as rental income

D

Security deposits are never taxable, so Marcus reports nothing

Question 24Part 2Business Entitieshard

Valley LLC is a two-member LLC (owned 50-50 by Adam and Beth) that elected to be classified as a C corporation by filing Form 8832 effective January 1, 2023. On May 1, 2025, Carlos purchases 60% of the entity's total interest (comprising all of Beth's 50% interest and 10% of the total interest from Adam), making the ownership Adam 40% and Carlos 60%. On June 1, 2025, Adam and Carlos want the entity to return to partnership classification. The entity's accountant refuses to file Form 8832, stating that the 60-month limitation prevents any classification change until January 1, 2028. What is the correct treatment?

A

The accountant is correct; the entity cannot change classification until January 1, 2028 regardless of ownership changes

B

The entity can file Form 8832 because Carlos's acquisition of a 60% interest constitutes a more-than-50% ownership change by a new owner, triggering the exception to the 60-month rule

C

The entity must wait until Carlos acquires more than 80% total ownership before the Commissioner will consider a waiver of the 60-month rule

D

The entity can change classification only if both Adam and Carlos were entirely new owners who were not present when the original election was made

Question 25Part 2Specialized Business Topicshard

Jensen Industries, a cash-basis S corporation, received IRS consent to change to the accrual method effective January 1, 2025. At the time of change, the company had $120,000 in accounts receivable (income earned but not yet collected under cash method), $45,000 in accounts payable (expenses incurred but not yet paid), and $18,000 in prepaid expenses (paid in 2024 but not yet deductible under accrual method). How should Jensen report the resulting §481(a) adjustment?

A

A positive adjustment of $93,000 spread evenly over four years (2025-2028)

B

A positive adjustment of $57,000 taken entirely in 2025

C

A positive adjustment of $57,000 spread evenly over four years (2025-2028)

D

A negative adjustment of $57,000 taken entirely in 2025

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