The IRS has announced that is making it easier for taxpayers and tax return preparers to do their due diligence on tax-exempt organizations. It has launched a new online tool, Exempt Organizations Select Check (EO Select Check), that provides all the important information in one location (IR-2012-34).

This is the sixth article in our series of tax return tips for 2011 returns. The days of the three-martini lunch are long gone, but savvy taxpayers can still savor plenty of tax treats for entertaining their top customers. In fact, some clients may be entitled to write-offs for hosting get-togethers at their own homes.

Are you clients "going green?" Besides doing their small part to save the planet, taxpayers can claim a residential energy credit for installing qualified energy-saving devices in the home. The main energy credit technically expired on January 1, 2012, but can still be claimed on a 2011 return.