Tax, accounting, auditing news - Journal of Accountancy

December 5, 2025

Government withdraws defense of retirement fiduciary rule

The Justice Department dropped its appeal in a case challenging a Biden-era regulation, leaving financial advisers free from new fiduciary duties for now.

December 5, 2025

IRS announces prop. regs. on international tax law provisions in OBBBA

The proposed regulations will deal with changes included in H.R. 1, P.L. 119-21, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

December 5, 2025

PEEC releases clarifying guidance on independence in SSAE engagements

The AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee’s revisions clarify independence requirements and will be effective June 15, 2026.

December 4, 2025

FASB publishes guidance on accounting for government grants

A new Accounting Standards Update establishes previously missing GAAP guidance related to the recognition, measurement, and presentation of government grants received by a business entity.

December 4, 2025

Overall economic view slides, but CPAs feel better about their companies

Nearly 50% more CPA decision-makers are optimistic about their own companies versus the U.S. economy on the whole, according to the quarterly AICPA and CIMA Economic Outlook Survey.

December 3, 2025

IRS outlines details for Trump accounts

The IRS released initial details on Trump accounts, a new type of IRA for some children. Also, a billionaire business executive pledged $6.25 billion to provide 25 million children with a $250 contribution to a Trump account.

December 1, 2025

New regs. reshape 1% stock buyback tax, drop funding rule

The IRS published final regulations that scrap the proposed funding rule and ease compliance for M&A deals, preferred stock, and netting provisions.

November 25, 2025

FASB updates guidance for hedge accounting, purchased loans

A pair of recently published Accounting Standards Updates recommend five areas for applying economic hedges and address stakeholder concerns related to accounting for acquired financial assets.

November 24, 2025

AICPA, state CPA societies call for accounting program recognition

A Department of Education proposal does not include accounting in its list of professional degree programs, a designation that helps determine education loan eligibility.

November 24, 2025

AICPA asks Treasury, IRS to change approach to dual consolidated losses

A letter urges an exception to the current “all or nothing” approach that prevents U.S. companies from deducting any part of a dual consolidated loss if even a portion of the DCL was used in a foreign country.

November 24, 2025

About 1 million taxpayers to get automatic penalty relief next year

During a session at the AICPA National Tax Conference, the national taxpayer advocate said the IRS will start applying first-time abatements automatically next year.

November 21, 2025

IRS clarifies how employees can claim 2025 tip and overtime deductions

The IRS also is updating some income tax forms and instructions to help taxpayers claim the deductions.

November 19, 2025

AI and the audit: Finance leaders strongly support forward-thinking firms

Nearly all CFOs and finance directors in a BDO survey say they would pay more to work with audit firms that rely on artificial intelligence and other advanced technologies.

November 19, 2025

AICPA warns that merger of IRS offices would ‘confuse’ taxpayers

The proposed merger of the Office of Professional Responsibility and the Return Preparer Office would blur “the public’s ability to perceive the distinction between credentialed, uncredentialed, and unenrolled preparers,” the AICPA said in a letter.

November 18, 2025

Is the IRS just between shutdowns? Former IRS commissioners are worried

Three former IRS leaders, speaking at the 2025 AICPA National Tax Conference, discussed the agency’s future and what happens if a shutdown occurs during filing season.

November 18, 2025

AICPA honors service and professional contributions in tax

Arthur Auerbach, an AICPA volunteer for 23 years, and Cory Perry, the chair of the AICPA’s Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Task Force, received the tax profession’s highest honors.

November 17, 2025

Introducing the AICPA and CIMA Global Women to Watch program

Thirty women have been recognized as emerging and experienced leaders in the profession.

November 14, 2025

Going into debt for holiday spending? You’re not alone

Nearly half of over 2,000 adults surveyed on behalf of the AICPA said they expect to go into debt for holiday gifts or travel.

November 13, 2025

Inflation adjustments to retirement account limits issued for 2026

The IRS announced inflation-adjusted limits on benefits and contributions for various retirement accounts on Thursday, including maximum contribution amounts for 401(k) plans and traditional and Roth IRAs.

November 12, 2025

Lurking in the shadows: The costs of unapproved AI tools

“Shadow AI” use is rampant among company leadership and employees alike, a practice that exposes businesses to significant financial and reputational risks.