{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"When theft gets taxing with Bob Keebler","description":"In this episode, Cary Sinnett is joined by renowned CPA and tax expert Bob Keebler to unpack the complexities of theft and casualty loss deductions under IRC Section 165. From pig butchering scams to IRA fraud and Ponzi schemes, this episode dives deep into the kinds of losses the IRS will\u2014and won\u2019t\u2014let you deduct, what qualifies as a profit motive, and how financial planners can guide their clients through one of the most emotionally and financially painful tax situations. Five Key Insights for CPA Financial Planners: Profit Motive Determines Deductibility To qualify under Section 165(c)(2), a theft or loss must stem from a transaction entered into for profit. Losses from romantic or emotional scams\u2014where no profit motive exists\u2014do not qualify. Five Scam Archetypes to Know A recent IRS CCA outlined five fraud scenarios: Compromised account scams Pig butchering (crypto fraud) Phishing and impersonation Romance scams Kidnapping\/extortion schemes Only the first three had profit motives and were deductible. The IRA Trap: The Tax Hit Before the Scam If a client is duped into withdrawing funds from an IRA and then loses the money to a scam, they face a double blow\u2014taxable income and no deductible loss. CPA advisors must flag this risk early. Documentation Is Critical for IRS Support To substantiate a theft loss, clients need: Bank records (e.g., wire transfers) Law enforcement reports A clear, detailed paper trail showing the loss and the attempt to recover funds Directing the IRS to the assigned FBI agent can strengthen the claim. Mitigation and Planning: Protecting Vulnerable Clients Encourage older or high-net-worth clients to follow a \u201c1\u20132% rule\u201d on risky investments. Foster opens dialogue with family members and advisors to prevent fraud and ensure support if it occurs. Access resources related to this podcast: Note: If you\u2019re using a podcast app that does not hyperlink to the resources, visit Libsyn (PFP) to access show notes with direct links. IRC Section 165 IRS CCA 2025-101015 (the ruling discussed) Revenue Procedure 2009-20 (Ponzi Scheme Safe Harbor) AICPA PFP Section Guiding your clients who are financial caregivers Scam Tracker Risk Report This episode is brought to you by the\u202fAICPA\u2019s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the\u202fCPA\/PFS credential\u202fprogram, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program. Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search \u201cAICPA Personal Financial Planning\u201d on your favorite podcast app.   ","author_name":"AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)","author_url":"https:\/\/pfplanning.libsyn.com\/pfp","html":"