Discussion:ASTPS

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Discussion Forum Index --> Tax Questions --> ASTPS

Cestrobeck (talk|edits) said:

22 August 2007
Does anyone belong to or have any information about the ASTPA (American Society of Tax Problem Solvers)? I am expanding my business into this area, specializing in dealing with the IRS, OIC's, etc. etc., and came across this organization. They have a "boot camp" that is available -- pretty pricey at $800, but it is a 2 day seminar with 16 hours CPE. Just would like some input if others of you have had good, bad, indifferent encounters with this group.

Thanks.

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

22 August 2007
never heard of them, which means be very suspicious

Do they have a website, or can you tell us what the outline is for their 2 day seminar?


(my first guess is that they want you to push fixed index annuities as a way to "fix" people having to pay taxes on their interest and dividend income), which they will say will result in not having to pay tax on their social security benefits)

Cestrobeck (talk|edits) said:

22 August 2007
Their website is ASTPS.

It's not about "fixing" taxes or paying less, its about dealing with the IRS -- notices, levies, OIC's, etc. I've never heard of them either....

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

22 August 2007
I viewed the website, I do know ONE of the people who gave a testimonial AND I note the pictures of Bob McKenzie teaching one of the seminars. Anything that Bob personally teaches is A-1.

Have you checked out the premier education for representation? NTPI - National Tax Practice Institute of the NAEA? Bob was on the faculty there for about 15 years.

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

22 August 2007
Nope, take that back, 2 of the instructors teach for NTPI - also Ted Sinars

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

22 August 2007
Make that 3 - L.G. Brooks, also an NTPI instructor

Maybe this outfit isn't so bad

All 3 of those instructors are top notch.

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

22 August 2007
Link to NTPI a 3 year program with graduate level classes too

link to NTPI Fellows including your's truly. I wonder how many graduates ASTPS has?

Dennis (talk|edits) said:

22 August 2007
Aha the NATP has never heard of the ASTPS. Ah well, In the end it comes down to the individual. I consulted on a deposition Monday where the preparer claimed his prominently displayed membership did not represent any particular level of expertise to his clients. He failed to file a NY estate tax return with an estimated $60K liability and prepared a 1041 which among other atrocities reported partnership distributions (40% of a 2.1 mil mini mall) as gross rents with no deductions, K-1's showing 100% of distributions to heirs as other income, and deductions for funeral expense and the expense of taking care of decedent's pets. Did charge the client $4500, though.

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

22 August 2007
Dennis, are you saying you HAD heard of ASTPS????

I can't understand your point relative to this thread.


HOW FUNNY!!!! I just noticeded that the founder of ASTPS, Lawrence Lawler, CPA is an NTPI graduate!!!! I guess he had to learn somewhere!

NTPI now partners with American Academy of Tax Practice to provide additional education beyond the 3 year NTPI level

Cestrobeck (talk|edits) said:

22 August 2007
Wow! Thanks for checking out the website for me, sounds like this might be a good thing. I always get great feedback from this site.....

I'm in Atlanta, and the ASTPS seminar is coming here, so that's a definite "plus" of which membership I would chose. NTPI sounds amazing - maybe something I would pursue later.

Kevin, do you focus on representation to the IRS and market/advertise to that group? I've been dealing with all the normal IRS notices, etc., but more in the course of my current customers (small business and tax prep), not actively seeking new customers with IRS problems.

Thanks again for reviewing the website, and letting me know about the good speakers.

NYEA (talk|edits) said:

23 August 2007
Cathy

In your profile you make no mention about being a C230 practitioner. If not, you CANNOT represent a taxpayer before the examination, collection, or appeal functions in the IRS. There is a limited exception under C230 in ยง10.7(c)(viii) for examination of a taxpayer whose return you prepared. The IRS has proposed regulations that will remove this limited right to practice.

If you are a C230 practitioner, the paragraph above is moot but I wanted to caution you if you were not.

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

23 August 2007
Cestro when I had a practice in Woodstock GA I did a lot of representation work. I'm in Asheville NC now.

One of the reasons I became an EA (back in 1991) was exactly because of what NYEA wrote - I had clients who had tax problems whom I wanted to help but I was limited without being a CPA, EA, or attorney. The clients trusted me and really didn't want to work with someone else. We both benefitted.

Ashland (talk|edits) said:

23 August 2007
NYEA wrote: "The IRS has proposed regulations that will remove this limited right to practice."

Where can I find information on these proposed regulations? Thank you.

Kevinh5 (talk|edits) said:

23 August 2007
Ashland, If you are an NATP member you can go to the natptax.com website and view Paul Cinquemani's "Is our profession under attack?" presentation which addressed this very topic.

NYEA (talk|edits) said:

23 August 2007
Ashland

You can also go here: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=154248,00.html

Scroll down & you can click on the Feb proposed regs to C230. The hearing was in June, 2006 and the IRS has still not released its final determination.

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