WHO’S WHO
In this book, all broker-dealers are referred to as “brokerage firms.” All financial services professionals are referred to as “financial advisors,” and to simplify for the reader, will be referred to as “he” or “him.” The term does not distinguish among retail brokers, independent brokers, investment advisors or insurance agents licensed to sell securities. “Adviser” appears only when
referencing the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
However, industry professionals understand that retail brokers, independent brokers, and independent investment advisors operate very differently. Those crucial differences will be explained in detail in this book. Explaining those differences—in compensation, in motivation, in regulation, in expertise— is at the heart of this book. With that information, the average person can make an informed decision.
Each year, many states announce amnesty programs in an effort to incentivize taxpayers to pay state tax. Most programs, in one form or another, offer partial or full interest and penalty abatement if taxpayers pay back taxes owed. While the programs seem like a win for states in theory, as a state and local tax attorney, I can promise that such programs lead to problems. Auditors in the various states are told to close down improperly completed audits in an effort to get taxpayers in the amnesty program. This, in turn, leads to poorly conducted audits that must be protested and litigated. In short, state and local tax professionals in those states should be licking their chops for the bombardment of work that will likely ensue.
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