In the digital age, a variety of online tools and databases have become indispensable for conducting efficient and comprehensive tax research. These resources provide access to primary and secondary sources of tax law, as well as analytical tools that can help you understand and apply the law. This section will provide an overview of these resources, with a focus on tax databases, tax management portfolios, and tax citators.
Tax Databases
Tax databases are online platforms that provide access to a wide range of tax law resources. These can include statutes, regulations, case law, administrative materials, treatises, journals, news, and more. Some databases also offer tools for analyzing and organizing this information, such as search functions, citators, and folders for saving documents.
There are several major tax databases that are widely used in legal research, including Checkpoint, Bloomberg Law, Westlaw, Lexis, and VitalLaw (UBalt Law does not subscribe to VitalLaw). Each of these databases has its own strengths and features, and the best one for you will depend on access and your specific research needs and preferences.
Tax Management Portfolios
Tax Management Portfolios are a unique resource that provide in-depth analysis and practical guidance on a wide range of tax topics. Each portfolio is written by a leading expert in the field and covers a specific issue or area of tax law. Portfolios can include detailed explanations of the law, practical examples, sample forms, and more. Tax Management Portfolios are published by Bloomberg BNA and are available on the Bloomberg Law platform. They are a strong resource for understanding complex tax issues and for practical planning and compliance.
Tax Citators
Tax citators are tools that allow you to see how a particular statute, regulation, or case has been interpreted and applied by other authorities. They can show you whether a case is still good law, how a statute has been amended over time, and how a regulation has been interpreted by the courts. The major legal research platforms each offer their own citator service: Westlaw has KeyCite, Lexis has Shepard's, and Bloomberg Law has BCite. These citators can be a valuable tool for understanding the current status and significance of a particular authority.
Remember, while these online tools and databases can greatly enhance your tax research, they are not a substitute for a thorough understanding of tax law and careful, thoughtful analysis. Always take the time to read and understand the materials you find, and don't hesitate to consult additional resources or seek expert advice if you're unsure about something.
Understanding and effectively using these secondary sources of tax law is a helpful part of tax research. For a more in-depth look at understanding and effectively using tools and databases, select the relevant category in the navigation bar.