Answer both of these questions:

a$.$ For the completion and filing of his $2023$ federal income tax return, Ron retains the services of a tax preparer. Because of a particularly hectic tax preparation season, the preparer does not complete and file the return until June $2024.$ Is Ron excused from the failure$-$to$-$file and failure$-$to$-$pay penalties under the reasonable$-$cause exception?

b$.$ Joan, a traveling sales representative, kept no formal books and records to summarize her gross receipts for the year, but she retained copies of all customer invoices and reported her gross income for the year $2023$ from these totals. Is she liable for a negligence penalty under IRS Section $6662$ for failing to keep any books and records?

Maggie could not conceive a child using natural means, so she sought out a woman who would donate an egg to be surgically implanted in Maggie. Which of the following items are deductible by Maggie in her process to find an egg donor?

Payment to search firm to find donor candidates.

Payment to Maggie$$s attorney.

Payment of a fee to the egg donor.

Payment to medical staff to run physiological and psychological tests on the prospective donor.

Part $2$ of short questions:

Name two types of tax traps and give an example of each.

Why does tax planning analysis focus on the marginal tax rate?

List three of the items included in one of the Taxpayer Bills of Rights

A$)$ What are the statutes of limitations for the IRS and taxpayers?

Why did Congress create them?

When can they be shortened, extended, or suspended?