eCourses

Session 01: Public Benefits Overview and Key Concepts - Hear an overview of the different public benefits programs that may impact a special needs client, and explore Texas-specific waivers as well as federal and state regulations. Session 02: Special Needs Trusts 101: The Basics - An overview of the basics of special needs trusts and public benefits including selection of appropriate trust option, pitfalls to avoid and case examples. Session 03: The Ethics of SNT Administration - In this session, the presenters review the decisions a trustee makes in administering a trust, the standards a trustee should use in making decisions, and a framework to make sure the trustee’s decisions and actions are ethical. Session 04: Redlining the Basics with 1st Party SNT - Dissect a basic first-party SNT to highlight best practices with various key provisions, a walk-through relevant POMS provisions, and other practical tips in evaluating the use(s) of a first-party SNT. Session 05: Maximizing Public Benefits: Overview - Planning for public benefits can be daunting. This presentation walks attendees through the paper, with stops along the way for basics, practice tips, and hidden gems in the paper. Session 06: Working Together: Texas ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts - Learn about the tax-advantaged Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience Program (Texas ABLE®), a disability savings program created specifically for Texans with qualifying disabilities. This session covers specifics about Texas ABLE and how it can be used in conjunction with Special Needs Trusts, while helping to preserve state and federal means-tested benefits, including SSI and Medicaid. Learn how recent regulatory and legislative developments have continued to expand the flexibility and impact of ABLE accounts. Session 07: Initial Client Meeting Guidance and Resources - Exploring the art of focusing client appointments and staying on track. Session 08: A Quick Trust Tax Tutorial - You don’t need to be a tax lawyer, but every special-needs planner should know at least the basics of trust income tax. Explore key rules in an accessible way for non-tax practitioners. Session 09: SSA Regional Trust Leads Presentation Regarding SSI Trusts - For trusts established with the assets of an individual on or after 01/01/00, the Social Security Administration follows specific policy regarding disbursements from the trust, earnings on and additions to the trust, and posteligibility changes in the trust’s resource status. This session provides a summary of the policy for trust principal that is not a resource and for trust principal that is a resource, including examples. Session 10: Masters of SNT—What I Know Now That I Wish I Had Known Back Then - Four of our most experienced SNT attorneys share what they have learned that they don’t usually talk about on microphones: how they have found the work they love; developed a passion for forms and systems; attracted and selected the best clients; built supportive and inspiring networks; and learned from their mistakes. 

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Need ethics credit? We’ve got you covered! UT Law CLE’s First Friday Ethics streams live every first Friday of the month, and features some of our best ethics speakers and presentations for a total of 3.00 hrs ethics credit. Fulfill your entire annual ethics requirement in Texas in one day!   This month includes: (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Practical Considerations and Implications of Generative AI (Replay) An overview of practical considerations and implications for the in-house use and governance of generative AI.   Emily Westridge Black, Shearman & Sterling LLP - Austin, TX Steven Gyeszly, Marathon Oil - Houston, TX Karl V. Hopkins, Bradley - Houston, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Mum’s the Word: Maintaining Client Confidentiality while Working from Anywhere and Everywhere (Replay) Working remotely and virtual meetings are here to stay. This presentation provides practical suggestions for structuring engagement letters, addressing conflicts of interest, and safeguarding client communications across all mediums.  Jeff Chadwick, Winstead PC - The Woodlands, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Understanding the Changes to the Texas Disciplinary Rules in the 2024 Referendum The State Bar is holding a referendum from April 1-30 for the Bar to vote on 12 new and amended disciplinary rules. The presentation will discuss each of the proposed changes and additions to the rules. Robert L. Tobey, Johnston Tobey Baruch, P.C. - Dallas, TX

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

In response to the sunsetting of the Chapter 313 program at the end of 2022, the Legislature adopted the new JETI program for 2024. Learn the details of the new JETI statute and review other available tax incentive programs.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Discuss requirements for properly executing a sale of tax credits under Section 6418 of the Code and current issues in these transactions from both the buyer and seller perspective.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

THIS MONTH: ChatGPT Ethics • On The Road Again: Legal Issues with Music Touring • Arbitration is NOT Litigation • Leasing and Real Estate Issues - Are We Prepared for the Office Apocalypse? • Leasing and Real Estate Issues - Are We Prepared for the Office Apocalypse? • What You Need to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Examine buy-in, buy-out, and operational issues related to a sole proprietorship, c-corporation, s-corporation, and partnership. Discuss buy-in, buy-out, and operational alternatives for an existing shareholder or partner to admit a new shareholder or partner or have one be bought out. Gain insight into operational issues, including new and existing partner compensation allocations, decisions requiring unanimous consent, and general operational issues. 

Includes: Video Audio Slides

In the wake of mandatory tax basis reporting of capital accounts, BBA revisions to the partnership audit and litigation rules, and a renewed IRS focus on auditing partnerships, fixing prior period mistakes in partnership capital accounts has become a much more fraught exercise. Examine common causes of capital account errors, as well as possible resolutions.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Examine practical issues associated with the use of targeted income allocations in private equity transactions. In particular, provide an overview of allocations in respect of carried interests and how such allocations can be impacted by clawback provisions and fee waivers.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Taxpayers are increasingly challenging the validity of Treasury Regulations and Notices under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The IRS has traditionally relied on the Anti-Injunction Act as a barrier to pre-enforcement challenges to its rules and regulations, but courts are now finding APA challenges outside the scope of the Anti-Injunction Act's limitation on judicial review. Hear a discussion of current law on APA challenges to IRS guidance, as well as where the law should move.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Does your ranch-owning client plan to liquidate it at death or keep it in the family for generations to come? Learn key planning ideas to deal with this Texas estate planning icon.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

The panel addresses practical concerns commonly faced by practitioners in the estate planning area, including hot-button issues stemming from recent cases, rulings, and regulations. Gain insight into how current "hot" estate planning techniques are being used in the trenches.

Includes: Video Audio Paper

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 appropriated almost $80 billion to the IRS to be expended over 10 years, mostly for Taxpayer Services, Enforcement, Operations Support, and Business Systems Modernization. The speakers discuss the importance of these funds to support meaningful, effective tax administration for your clients, you, and our country.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

With the IRS increasingly assessing penalties and viewing penalties as a source of revenue, what practical strategies work to get the IRS to abate penalties? How can I optimize the chances to get my client’s penalties abated? How does the Independent Office of Appeals analyze and resolve penalty cases? Hear the answers to those questions and more.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Recap the successes and failures of the 88th Texas Legislature on property tax relief, tax incentives, and tax administration and discuss the most pressing challenges for the property tax system in Texas.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) under Section 1202 is not just for tech companies anymore. It’s time to reconsider QSBS because Tax Cuts and Jobs Act paved the way for closely-held companies to benefit “bigly.” Hear a discussion of planning opportunities and other issues including how QSBS can be combined with QOZ Investments, complications with SPAC mergers, unanswered questions, potential pitfalls, and best practices in the quest for quantum QSBS exclusions.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Discuss the highlights of planning implications of recent federal cases, rulings, important proposed regulations, and legislative developments that affect our estate planning clients

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Review significant court decisions, rulings, and statutory and regulatory developments of the past year.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Explore the latest recent Texas legislation affecting decedents’ estates, guardianships, trusts, powers of attorney, and other related matters.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Whether you’re challenging the Comptroller’s audit assessment or denial of your refund claim, more options are available, including one that does not require paying upfront. Hear an explanation of the different ways and the advantages and disadvantages of each, insight into tax law changes from the 2023 Legislature, and more.

Includes: Video Audio Paper

The IRS has been attacking partnerships that make easement donations in many ways, including making them listed transactions, launching a Compliance Campaign, seeking injunctions, placing them on the “dirty dozen” list, litigating numerous Tax Court cases, and more. Things have started to change, though, with several taxpayer victories, issuance of proposed regulations, enactment of a new law taking effect in 2023, and release of safe harbors for deeds. This presentation, made by an attorney who defends hundreds of easement disputes, explores IRS attacks, taxpayer defenses, important court decisions, and what to expect next.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides