In a case exploring the extent of allowable cost segregation in depreciable rental real estate, the Tax Court held that all but a small handful of items identified by the building’s owner had to be depreciated over the life of the building (AmeriSouth XXXII, Ltd., T.C. Memo. 2012-67). AmeriSouth, a
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Private company reporting decision could come in May, FASB chairman says
The Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) trustees hope to vote on a final structure and plan for private company financial reporting at their meeting in May, FASB Chairman Leslie Seidman said Monday. In her “2012 Chairman’s Outlook on the FASB” webcast, Seidman explained the various private company initiatives being undertaken by
IRS issues foreign-targeted bond guidance
The IRS issued interim guidance Thursday (Notice 2012-20) on registration of foreign-targeted bonds and provided transitional relief for withholding agents on the related portfolio interest exception. The IRS said it had received questions about these and other implications of the repeal of the foreign-targeted bond rules under Sec. 163(f)(2)(B) by
Finance executives’ outlook on U.S. economy improving, survey shows
CPA financial executives displayed a more positive but still wary view of the U.S. economy in the most recent quarterly Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey, released Thursday by the AICPA. Those indicating optimism for the U.S. economy increased from 19% in the previous quarter to 43%. Optimists outnumbered pessimists
Accounting and finance hiring expected to be flat in Q2
Hiring in accounting and finance is likely to be flat in the second quarter of 2012 in the United States even though CFOs are confident in their business prospects for that period, a Robert Half survey shows. Ninety-one percent of CFOs said they don’t expect to change their accounting and
Much-anticipated guidance issued on accounting method changes for repair regs.
In December 2011, the IRS issued long-awaited temporary regulations on the treatment of tangible property repairs. On Wednesday, it issued two revenue procedures detailing how taxpayers may obtain IRS automatic consent to the accounting method changes required by the rules. Rev. Proc. 2012-19 addresses repair and maintenance, materials and supplies,
FASB adds project to define “nonpublic entity,” as FAF private company decision looms
As its parent foundation works to develop a plan on improving private company accounting standards, FASB is trying to determine which entities can call themselves nonpublic. FASB announced Wednesday that it will undertake a project to reexamine the definition of a “nonpublic entity.” The announcement is likely to be welcome
The look ahead: FASB priorities, IASB investment company standards, and consumer confidence
FASB Chairman Leslie Seidman will discuss the board’s priorities for 2012 on Monday, and FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) are gathering to discuss proposed standards updates for investment companies and real estate investment property next Friday. Also, several key reports will gauge U.S. consumer confidence. Here’s a
PCAOB reopens comment period on audit firm rotation concept release
The PCAOB has reopened its comment period regarding a debated concept release on auditor independence and audit firm rotation. The original comment period closed Dec. 14. The new deadline is April 22, the PCAOB said Wednesday. The board extended the deadline to incorporate comments following a March 21–22 public meeting
IRS expands “Fresh Start” initiative, provides penalty relief for unemployed
The IRS announced an expanded “Fresh Start” initiative Wednesday to help struggling taxpayers with a number of measures for relief (IR-2012-31). One of the most noteworthy of these measures is the abatement for the 2011 tax year of the failure-to-pay penalty (0.5% per month of the tax due up to
CEO of FASB’s parent foundation says Senate bill would undermine standard setting
Financial Accounting Foundation President and CEO Terri Polley told a Senate committee on Tuesday that a provision in the so-called Schumer-Toomey bill, “raises serious issues about the continued independence of the standard-setting process.” The proposal is designed to decrease the administrative burden on small and medium companies and spark job
Tax Court says limitation on deductible mortgage interest applies to unmarried co-owners
On Monday, the Tax Court held that unmarried co-owners were together subject to the $1.1 million limit on personal residence indebtedness under Sec. 163(h)(3) (Sophy, 138 T.C. No. 8 (3/5/12)). The taxpayers had argued that, for unmarried taxpayers, each owner should be subject to a separate limit, even though married
2012 automobile depreciation limits released
The IRS on Friday issued the 2012 inflation adjustments to the depreciation limitations and lease inclusion amounts for certain automobiles under Sec. 280F (Rev. Proc. 2012-23). For passenger automobiles (other than trucks or vans) placed in service during calendar year 2012 to which 50% first-year bonus depreciation applies, the depreciation
COSO explores common judgment traps, lays out five-step decision-making process
Many faulty business decisions can be traced to “confirmation bias” that leads people to unwittingly seek information that bolsters what they want to believe, says Brigham Young University accounting professor Doug Prawitt. “We don’t realize it when we do that, but it’s a very, very powerful human bias,” he said
IRS regulations broaden disclosures of tax-exemption determinations
In response to the D.C. Circuit’s holding that the regulations the IRS had relied on to not disclose rulings denying or revoking organizations’ tax-exempt status violated the disclosure provisions of Sec. 6110 (Tax Analysts, 350 F.3d 100 (D.C. Cir. 2003)), the IRS has issued final regulations amending the earlier regulations
Correspondence audits need some work, tax community tells IRS
The IRS’ use of correspondence audits to resolve issues with tax returns has mushroomed over the past decade—but taxpayer satisfaction with the program is fairly low. According to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), only 48% of those surveyed by the IRS said they were either somewhat or
PCAOB outlines related parties proposal, other amendments
The PCAOB on Tuesday issued for public comment a proposed auditing standard on related parties and proposed amendments on significant unusual transactions. The board said the proposals are designed to improve auditors’ focus on certain areas of risk. In addition, the PCAOB proposed amendments to its rules and forms to
SEC proposes identity theft “red flags” rules to protect investors
Broker-dealers, mutual funds and other SEC-regulated entities would be required to create programs to detect and respond appropriately to identity theft red flags under an SEC rules proposal announced Tuesday and issued for public comment. The proposed rules are designed to protect investors from identity theft and are similar to
FinCEN postpones mandatory FBAR e-filing
The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced that it is postponing until July 1, 2013, its requirement that Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), be filed electronically. FinCEN notes that the delay in the e-filing requirement does not relieve anyone of the
Eighth Circuit affirms S corporation shareholder’s compensation was not reasonable
The Eighth Circuit affirmed the District Court for the Southern District of Iowa’s decision that an S corporation shareholder’s $24,000 salary was not reasonable compensation and that the $91,044 salary determined by the government’s expert witness was (David E. Watson, P.C., No. 11-1589 (8th Cir. 2/21/12)). At issue is a
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