Robert Kerr

Professional: tax admin/policy; gov’t affairs; association mngt. Personal: classical liberalism & architecture; Oxford commas; nuance.

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

#Taxtwitter, my @TaxNotes piece focuses on high costs of #IRS' CAF system & its inconsistent results & makes suggestions on how to fix & what to avoid. Enjoy!

PS I was stunned by a $50M cost estimate, too
PPS #IRS please consult w/end users first. Thx.

https://t.co/7LJ0vt7H29

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

While I appreciate the bouquet to #IRS on efiling, I caution tying efiling to simplifying. *How* we send returns to IRS is trivial against the incredible complexity many taxpayers face. https://t.co/od2Y1KWcTA

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

A call to put all motorized vehicles, including E-Bikes, on equal footing in DC - Sign the Petition! https://t.co/Z4sALB1UTq via @Change

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

I'm quoted alongside much more august members of the #tax administration commentariat in @benmvaldez's piece on new #IRS, CEO Frank Bisignano.

https://t.co/0cuVFhNqip

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

@Veronica557534 I just saw your response...happy to discuss!

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

Why can we count on DC Council to make inexplicably bad decisions, on small businesses (yes, I'm talking about the D30), rental property, bikes...?

Ban Calcutta street scene in DC.
Council Votes Tues. 12/2 on Streateries.
Sign the Petition! https://t.co/zcR5tohBdR via@Change

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

Pushing the (unsupported) narrative that ROs/RAs are maniacally & capriciously assessing penalties is a cheap shot & undermines trust we need in #tax administration

Except FTF/FTP (& similar), I don't get the sense IRS is aggressively assessing penalties

https://t.co/ZqJ06N3j6B

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

You, too, may comment on the proposed regs:

https://t.co/0phojnnaIG

If we’re in the business of protecting our clients from IRS’ caprices, then surely we should protect ourselves from the same.

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

Check out my PTIN fee opinion piece in @bloombergtax

Lowered 9%? Yep

Is that enough? No

What is IRS doing with cash enough to hire > 100 people? And are decisions to charge PTIN fees vibes rational or vibes based?

We don't know. IRS won't say.

[1/2]

https://t.co/6hLxnfwP58

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

So...tucked on the penultimate page of Monday's Chairman's substitute amendment, we'll see someone included a restriction on regulating contingency fees on (apparently) any #tax return (original or amended) or claim for refund.

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

@RichardRubinDC The thought occurred to me about halfway through the afternoon...totally agreed!

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

Thx to Rohit Kumar & Co. at @PwC for this pre-markup summary of the *new* House tax bill, under consideration today, after, of course, a pre-markup presser

I'm expecting some spicy exchanges-esp. around business provisions (bonus depreciation etc) & SALT

https://t.co/3HpY8TvjKT

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

Hey #taxtwitter, I joined Padgett's Roger Harris & Annie Schwab on Federal Tax Updates to discuss proposed Circular 230 changes.
Come for the contingent fee provisions, stay for unconventional thoughts on ltd practice rights (I ain't a fan).

https://t.co/B2WEhR8GeN

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

I'm intrigued...

https://t.co/4x0QPkTsPl

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

@RichardRubinDC Additionally, when asserting the "top x%" get all the gains, might help to state how much of the tab the top x% is paying. This from @TaxFoundation, drawing from #IRS SOI data:

https://t.co/3pbNKhaj14

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

The @WSJ still lands daily on my front steps. Yesterday's included this re 1st #IRS commissioner: ‘Boutwell’ Review: A Man Ahead of His Times. Perhraps of interest to #TaxTwitter

https://t.co/h60w5vECsL via @WSJBooks

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

One wonders if whoever led this effort (Rubin presumably, given the top billing) asked the two GW Bush Secretaries still alive (Snow & Paulson) to join the opinion (one assumes Mnuchin would take a pass & HW's Secretary (Brady), 94, may not be able)...

https://t.co/efolaAPXud

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

@taxtherapist505 My beloved & I joke (gallows humoresque) weed is the official odor of DC. Inescapable, even walking thru Georgetown @ 8am. While unfamiliar w/elementary school lines, I am well familiar with following cars evidently piloted by Cheech & Chong.

@MayorBowser doesnt enforce the law:

[Robert Kerr @BSG_BobKerr]

I'm a repeat offender on @TaxNotes' pod. @benmvaldez & I talk about the recent unpleasantness--i.e., EOs freezing federal hiring (w special #IRS love note) & grants; compelling RTO; and offering a #buyout (or whatever "fork in the road" + OPM FAQs means)

https://t.co/23kNpxIHco