Intuit's directors apparently liked what they saw in the performance of CEO Brad Smith as they approved a nearly 19-percent raise in base salary, effective for the year ending April 30, 2011, and a 46 percent increase in bonus awarded for fiscal 2010. Although bonus and salary often have less value than stock and option awards as part of executive compensation, it was a good result for Smith, who completed his second complete fiscal year in April. And performance-based bonuses for all executives were generous.

Thomson Reuters has added 15 chapters to the 2009 Edition of PPC’s Guide to Tax Planning Strategies, many designed to help CPAs implement strategies for dealing with current economic problems.

Topics covered provide advice that will help clients recover from a real estate foreclosure; fully utilize net operating losses; survive bankruptcy; maximize the deduction for fraudulent theft losses; minimize FICA and SE tax; realize the maximum proceeds from a proprietorship disposition; survive and prosper when employment is terminated; retain key employees during economic turmoil; and properly classify workers to avoid penalties and interest.

The  guide also includes updates to executive summaries, client letters, and practice aids to help clients minimize alternative minimum tax; maximize bonus depreciation;  utilize eligible tax credits; benefit from family limited partnerships; manage investment losses to reduce taxes; re-evaluate retirement prospects; and defer compensation.