Intuit is offering taxpayers free advice via TurboTax for 2011. The company says that purchasers of the latest version of its dominant consumer tax preparation package can get advice from professionals via phone or live chat as part of its "Ask a Tax Expert Service." The system also offers tax preparation and filing via the iPad.

The Internal Revenue Service is planning a series of public meetings to solicit opinions about long-time changes to the tax system. Starting with a December 8 meeting in Washington D.C., these events will focus on moving away from the current "look back" compliance system and changing to a real time system in which returns are matched when they are first filed. The change was outlined in April by IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman. Read more...

Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas has named G. Scott Soles, CPA, CFF, as audit director. Previously, Soles was a partner and Energy and Risk Services Practices leader for Gainer, Donnelly & Desroches. Both firms are based in Houston, Texas.