The AICPA has published a set of free technical practice aids that offer nonauthoritative implementation guidance to FASB’s Accounting Standards Update 2009-12, Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent). These entities, often called alternative investments, include hedge, private equity and real estate funds.
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IRS Provides Guidance on Return Preparer Liability Under IRC Section 7216
On Wednesday, the IRS issued two revenue rulings (Rev. Ruls. 2010-4 and 2010-5) that provide guidance to tax return preparers on situations in which they will not be liable for civil or criminal penalties under IRC § 7216 for disclosing or using tax return information. IRC § 7216 prohibits a
IRS Issues Regulations on Disclosure of Tax Return Information
On Tuesday, the IRS issued temporary and proposed regulations under IRC § 7216 that increase the circumstances in which tax return preparers can disclose or use certain limited tax return information (TD 9478 and REG-131028-09). The temporary regulations amend final regulations that were issued in 2008 and were effective Jan.
Tax Court Accepts IRS Method for Determining Gambling Wins and Losses
The Tax Court held in a memorandum decision released Monday that taxpayers who were casual gamblers recognized wins or losses when they redeemed their tokens and that they could not net their wins and losses across the year (Shollenberger, TC Memo 2009-306). In this decision, the court accepted the IRS’
FASB Issues Subsequent Events Proposal
FASB issued a Proposed Accounting Standards Update, Subsequent Events (Topic 855): Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements. The proposal stems from questions about whether the requirements to disclose the date that the financial statements are issued could conflict with some SEC guidance, according to FASB. FASB has proposed amendments
IRS Extends Moratorium on Tax Shelter Enforcement
IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman announced in a letter to Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, that the IRS is extending until March 1, 2010, a moratorium on collection enforcement of the IRC § 6707A penalty for failure to disclose tax shelters and other reportable transactions. Shulman first announced the moratorium July 6
Proposal: Connect Sustainable Activities and Financial Reports
Representatives of more than 20 organizations including the AICPA agreed last week on a proposal to form a committee that would oversee development of an integrated reporting model. The model would connect reporting of organizations’ strategy, risk and financial and sustainability performance. The proposals were the outcome of a London
International Assurance Standard Released for Service Organizations, U.S. Equivalent Slated for Vote in January
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) on Friday released a new standard that addresses reports on the description, design and operating effectiveness of controls relating to outsourced services ranging from assisting with processing transactions to performing one or more business functions. International Standard on Assurance Engagements (ISAE) 3402,
Modified Loans Quick to Re-Default, Overall Mortgage Performance Declines
As efforts to keep borrowers in their homes continued to escalate, a report from major bank regulators said more than half of all mortgages modified in the first quarter of 2009 were in re-default in the third quarter—56.2% were 30 or more days delinquent and 42.7% were 60 or more
FDIC Insurance Fund Falls to Negative Balance
The Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) balance decreased by $18.6 billion (180%) to negative $8.2 billion during the third quarter, the FDIC said in its Third Quarter 2009 CFO Report to the Board. The decrease was primarily due to a $21.7 billion increase in the provision for insurance losses, which was
Panel to Address Accounting Standards for Private Companies
A new panel is poised to take on the issue of whether separate accounting standards are needed for private companies. The AICPA and the Financial Accounting Foundation, FASB’s parent organization, announced Thursday the launch of a blue-ribbon panel charged with making recommendations on the future of standard setting for private
Regulations Proposed on Basis Reporting by Brokers
The IRS issued proposed regulations (REG-101896-09) on Wednesday relating to how securities brokers report sales to the IRS and how stock basis is determined. The regulations project also proposes to set a Feb. 15 deadline for brokers to supply certain information statements. The proposed rules reflect changes made in 2008
Study of Financial Picture Reveals Struggles, Risky Habits
A study examining personal financial habits shows many Americans are struggling to cover their mortgage and other monthly bills, don’t have rainy day funds, and have yet to do the math on how much money they’ll need to retire. Roughly 49% of those surveyed reported having trouble paying their monthly
Deadline for Retirement Plan Amendments to Conform to Recent Laws Extended
The IRS has extended by one year the deadline for retirement plans to make amendments required by the Pension Protection Act (PPA) and last year’s Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act (WRERA) (Notice 2009-97). The deadline is extended to the last day of the first plan year that begins on
House Passes Financial Regulatory Reform Bill
House lawmakers voted Friday to approve The Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a series of financial regulatory measures. The AICPA advocated for the profession on several provisions in the bill. The bill gives the PCAOB authority to inspect and regulate audits of all broker-dealers. It gives the PCAOB
SEC Action on IFRS Could Come Early in 2010
SEC Commissioner Elisse B. Walter on Wednesday said she expects the commission to “consider further action” on IFRS adoption early next year. Walter’s comments at an AICPA conference followed remarks by SEC Chief Accountant James Kroeker on Monday in which he said more information about IFRS adoption would be forthcoming
AICPA Committee Weighs In on Fair Value for Financial Instruments
The AICPA’s Accounting Standards Executive Committee has weighed in on FASB’s discussion of when fair value should be used to measure and record financial instruments on the balance sheet. In a comment letter, AcSEC Chairman Jay Hanson said the committee favors an approach that would measure many but not all
FASB Chairman Defends Fair Value, Calls for Separation From Banking Regulation
FASB Chairman Robert Herz on Tuesday delivered a rapid-fire policy speech that addressed head-on criticism of the role of accounting standards in the financial crisis and called for GAAP to be “decoupled” from bank regulation. Herz, speaking at an AICPA conference, contended that many of FASB’s critics simply do not
SEC Chief Accountant Remains Mum on Specifics of Possible IFRS Adoption
Those waiting for clarity from the SEC regarding its road map for adopting International Financial Reporting Standards in the U.S. are still waiting following a speech by the agency’s chief accountant Monday. In an October speech, Chief Accountant James Kroeker said the Commission would provide greater clarity on the future
Revised Statements on Standards for Tax Services Take Effect Jan. 1
The AICPA has released revised Statements on Standards for Tax Services (SSTS), whichbecome effective Jan. 1, 2010. The SSTS are enforceable standards of tax practice for AICPA members that address each member’s obligations regarding the following issues: The level of authority needed to recommend a tax return position or
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