Top 7 search terms on Checkpoint Edge

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For small and midsized accounting firms, staying on top of the latest IRS rulings, procedures, and memoranda is crucial – but the intricacies of the tax code and frequent changes introduced by new legislation and IRS guidance can be overwhelming, to say the least.

A look at common search terms provides unique insight into what’s top of mind for tax and accounting professionals.

What are the top searched tax terms?

According to our most recent analysis, the top searched terms on Checkpoint Edge with CoCounsel are:

• Internal revenue code
• Rev rul
• Rev proc
• TC memo
• Income tax
• Tax return
• IRS

To tackle these topics and beyond, today’s accountants need access to thoroughly integrated and up-to-date tax research and editorial insight. This is where an AI-powered, industry-specific tax research solution like Checkpoint Edge with CoCounsel comes into play. By leveraging up-to-date content and ensuring only reliable search results from authoritative primary and secondary tax law sources, accountants can significantly enhance the tax research process.

Navigating IRS rulings and procedures

Let’s take a deeper look at each of the top search terms and how a professional grade, AI-powered tax research solution can transform tax research workflow and help accountants capitalize on new tax planning opportunities.

1. Internal Revenue Code (IRC)
   The IRC is the foundation of all federal tax laws in the United States. Understanding its provisions is critical for tax compliance and planning. AI tools help professionals quickly locate and interpret relevant sections of the IRC, making complex tax laws more accessible and ensuring tax advice and planning strategies are based on current laws.
2. Revenue Rulings (Rev Rul)
   Revenue rulings provide the IRS’s official interpretation of the IRC and its application to specific situations. These rulings clarify how the IRS applies tax laws to specific situations, providing guidance on the tax treatment of particular transactions. By analyzing these rulings, tax professionals can better understand the IRS’s stance on various tax issues, aiding in the accurate preparation of tax returns and strategic tax planning. AI can analyze these rulings, offering insights into how the IRS is likely to view certain transactions or tax positions.
3. Revenue Procedures (Rev Proc)
   Revenue procedures detail the IRS’s practices and procedures for administering tax laws. By following these guidelines, accountants can help their clients correct errors and comply with IRS requirements, thereby avoiding penalties and ensuring smooth tax administration. AI assists in identifying and understanding these procedures, ensuring that tax filings and practices align with IRS expectations.
4. Tax Court Memoranda (TC Memo)
   Tax Court Memoranda provides detailed rulings on tax disputes. These memoranda often delve into the reasoning behind decisions in specific cases, offering valuable insights into how similar issues might be resolved in the future. Tax professionals can use these memoranda to inform their strategies offer insight as to how situations with similar facts may be treated for tax purposes. AI tools can quickly search and analyze these memoranda, offering precedents and insights into how similar cases have been resolved.
5. Income tax
   Income tax is a broad term encompassing various aspects of taxation on income. AI-powered searches can narrow down relevant information, making it easier for tax professionals to find specific guidance on income tax issues.
6. Tax return
   Preparing and filing tax returns requires accurate and up-to-date information. AI tools can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of this process by providing information on relevant forms, instructions, and recent updates. Alongside professional tax software for tax preparers and accountants, including a full line of federal, state, and local programs, you can save time with tax planning, preparation, and compliance.
7. Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
   The IRS is the primary federal agency responsible for tax collection and enforcement. AI-enabled tools enable tax professionals to stay informed about changes in tax laws and IRS guidance that impact tax returns and planning strategies. These alerts ensure proactive tax management, helping professionals anticipate and adapt to new developments.

How AI enhances tax research

IRS rulings, procedures, and memoranda play a vital role in tax planning and compliance. However, keeping up with frequent changes and updates can be challenging. AI addresses this challenge by processing vast amounts of data and providing timely updates, ensuring that tax professionals remain informed and compliant.

AI can process and analyze large volumes of data quickly, identifying relevant information that might be missed through manual searches. Alongside Natural Language Processing (NLP), AI-enabled tax research tools can understand and interpret human language, making it easier for tax professionals to conduct searches using everyday language. This capability simplifies the search process and improves the accuracy of results.

For many accounting firms, the go-to resource for tax research is Google or a publicly available generative AI platform like ChatGPT — both of which are quick, easy to use, and free. However, answers from these platforms are based on data pulled from across the internet which may be inaccurate, out-of-date, or quite simply unverified. This can lead to accuracy, privacy, and security concerns, not to mention the possible financial impacts and reputational damage that can come with unvetted tax research.

Transforming tax season research with Checkpoint Edge with CoCounsel

Checkpoint Edge with CoCounsel is like hiring a speedy tax research assistant who only searches relevant editorial content and vetted source materials. With a conversational interface, it delivers straightforward answers to even your most challenging questions – just as if you were speaking directly to a subject matter expert or trusted advisor.

Simply pose a question and you’ll quickly receive a relevant and understandable answer, complete with citations from expert commentary and primary sources on Checkpoint. From there, you can seamlessly copy and paste the summarized response into your client or staff communications, thus enhancing your clarity, professionalism and responsiveness. Not to mention empowering junior staff to find answers to their questions quickly and confidently.

With verified, reliable, and trusted public sites, Checkpoint Edge offers simultaneous search and access to IRS, AICPA, TEI, the Big 4, and comprehensive state tax agencies — all in one place. Plus, get in-depth analysis of new tax legislation within 24 hours and trending tax topics delivered to your inbox each morning.

If you’re ready to leverage the power of AI to streamline tax research, empower junior staff, uncover new planning opportunities, and better serve clients, learn more about Checkpoint Edge with CoCounsel today.