James C. Bourke, CPA wrote today on the importance of passwords of portable electronics.  In today's world, where Blackberry and iPhones contain confidential client information, it is important to utilize appropriate built-in encryption and password capabilities.

He recommends:

Securing portable devices combines many different techniques. For example, you probably have one or more passwords that need to be entered before accessing data. Be smart and keep these in mind when using and creating passwords:

The Obvious — Create a strong password that you can easily remember and protect it from prying eyes.

Length and Complexity — Use at least 14 characters. The greater the variety of characters in your password, the better. Use the entire keyboard, not just the letters and characters you use or see most often.

Avoid — Dictionary words in any language; words spelled backwards, common misspellings and abbreviations; sequences or repeated characters; using personal information.

Test Your Password — Try www.microsoft.com/protect/fraud/passwords/checker.aspx. Microsoft offers some good guidance on creating strong passwords.

I carry my Blackberry wherever I go, and I do have a password requirement.  I have to enter it dozens of times a day to get at my information, however that is a minor inconvenience compared to protecting my client information.

Unbelievable story about digital copiers and security.  I hope all tax professionals take note.  (Hat tip to Jorge R., a client who brought this to my attention)

TurboTax as a penalty defense

Taxpayers' 2004 and 2005 joint Form 1040 were prepared using TurboTax. The wife reported expenses for her real estate business as well as unrelated losses on a single Schedule C. Adjustments to this schedule resulted in most of taxpayers' deficiencies and the resulting Section 6662 accuracy-related penalties, and primarily stemmed from the IRS disallowing taxpayers' reported rental losses and recharacterizing the trading losses as capital losses. At trial, the wife argued that they consistently filled out their tax returns using TurboTax and she consistently confused capital gains and losses with ordinary income and expenses. In rejecting taxpayers' misuse of TurboTax, even if unintentional or accidental, as a defense to the penalties, the Tax Court noted that "tax preparation software is only as good as the information one inputs into it." Aileen Yat Muk Lam , TC Memo 2010-82 (Tax Ct.).

Aaron's Take: This is a common argument in penalty abatement, however it rarely rises to the level of Tax Court.  These taxpayers should have quit while they were ahead.  Though, in certain circumstances, you can place the blame for a substantial understatement on your tax preparer, your tax software is not considered a "tax professional" capable of rendering appropriate decisions no your behalf.  Sounds like it would have been a lot cheaper for this couple to hire and Enrolled Agent or CPA.  

Tuition tax credit bill is signed by Gov. Brewer

Arizona made minor modifications to the private School Tuition Organization Tax Credit. Unfortunately, the legislature ignored gigantic and glaring loopholes in the program, appointing AzDOR to certify the programs, but provided no funding to do so. The changes, however, will shed light on just how many wealthy people's kids are being sent to private school for free. Well, not really for free, considering these credits raid the state funds in order to provide scholarships for folks who would be going to private school anyway.

Tuition tax credit bill is signed by Gov. Brewer

(Arizona Republic - Valley & State 5/11/10)