Wiley Registered Tax Return Preparer Exam Review 2012

The Tax Institute at H&R Block is the company's independent research division, providing expert tax assistance and interpretation of tax law. The Tax Institute combines H&R Block's world-class training experience with the knowledge of the company's credentialed tax experts to create a unique exam review based on extensive resources from nearly 60 years in business, 550 million tax returns prepared, and more than 100,000 tax professionals trained each year. For more information, visit www.thetaxinstitute.com.

Introduction vii Strategies for Success on the Registered Tax Return Preparer Exam xi Part 1 The Income Tax Return 1 Chapter 1 Filing Information 3 Chapter 2 Filing Status 13 Chapter 3 Personal and Dependency Exemptions 25 Part 2 Income and Assets 39 Chapter 4 Wages, Salaries, and Other Earnings 41 Chapter 5 Interest Income 53 Chapter 6 Dividends and Other Corporate Distributions 65 Chapter 7 Rental Income and Expenses 73 Chapter 8 Retirement Plans, Pensions, and Annuities 85 Chapter 9 Social Security and Equivalent Railroad Retirement Benefits 101 Chapter 10 Other Types of Income 109 Chapter 11 Self-Employment Activities 121 Chapter 12 Basis of Property 141 Chapter 13 Sale of Property 151 Chapter 14 Sale of Home 169 Chapter 15 IRA and HSA Contributions 181 Chapter 16 Education-Related Adjustments 191 Chapter 17 Business-Related Adjustments 199 Chapter 18 Alimony 209 Part 3 Deductions and Credits 217 Chapter 19 Standard and Itemized Deductions 219 Chapter 20 Medical and Dental Expenses 225 Chapter 21 Tax Payments 235 Chapter 22 Interest Payments 243 Chapter 23 Charitable Contributions 255 Chapter 24 Nonbusiness Casualty and Theft Losses 269 Chapter 25 Miscellaneous Itemized Deductions 279 Chapter 26 Employee Business Expenses 289 Chapter 27 Earned Income Credit 305 Chapter 28 Child and Dependent Care Credit 317 Chapter 29 Child Tax Credit 325 Chapter 30 Education Credits 331 Chapter 31 Other Tax Credits 339 Part 4 Other Taxes 357 Chapter 32 Figuring the Regular Tax 359 Chapter 33 The Alternative Minimum Tax 369 Chapter 34 The Kiddie Tax 377 Chapter 35 Other Taxes 387 Part 5 Completion of the Filing Process 397 Chapter 36 Tax Payments and Refund Options 399 Chapter 37 Completing and Filing the Return 413 Part 6 Practices and Procedures 423 Chapter 38 Preparer Responsibilities and Penalties 425 Part 7 Ethics and Circular 230 437 Chapter 39 Rules Governing Authority to Practice before the IRS 439 Chapter 40 Duties and Restrictions Relating to Practice before the IRS 447 Chapter 41 Sanctions for Violating Circular 230 459 Answers to Review Questions 469 Appendix: IRS Resources 507 Index 509