The IRS is sending information letters to tax return preparers who have not yet renewed their preparer tax identification numbers (PTINs) for the 2012 filing season. (The IRS system was, at this writing, not able to issue new PTINs.) The IRS started sending the letters last week and will continue
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COSO Chair says updated framework is a ‘refresh’
The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) issued an exposure draft seeking comments on an updated internal control framework designed to help organizations perform with efficiency and confidence. COSO Chairman David Landsittel and the JofA discussed the updated framework, which keeps the same definitions, objectives and five
Management of “risk appetite” a necessity, paper says
In order to balance risks and opportunities, organizations must develop, communicate, monitor and update their “risk appetites,” according to a white paper released Friday by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Authored by University of Wisconsin-Madison accounting professor Larry Rittenberg and Frank Martens, a director in the
Guidance available on Early Retirement Reinsurance Program payments
The AICPA issued Technical Practice Aids (TPAs) 6931.13–.17 to provide nonauthoritative guidance on health and welfare plan accounting and reporting for reimbursements received under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s (PPACA) Early Retirement Reinsurance Program (ERRP). The TPAs describe the ERRP and cover matters such as how to report
Statutory definition of specified notional principal contract extended through 2012
The IRS issued temporary and identical proposed regulations on dividend equivalents for purposes of Sec. 871(m) (T.D. 9572; REG-120282-10). The regulations provide guidance to nonresident aliens and foreign corporations that hold notional principal contracts providing for payments determined by reference to payments of dividends from sources within the United States.
IRS issues final regs on exclusion of damages for personal physical injury
The IRS on Friday issued final regulations relating to the exclusion from gross income for damages received on account of physical injuries or sickness (T.D. 9573). The regulations remove the requirement that damages received from a legal suit, action or settlement must be based on “tort or tort type rights”
Technical Practice Aids issued on SOC reports
The AICPA issued Technical Practice Aids (TPAs) 9520.12–.26 to provide nonauthoritative guidance regarding Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) no. 16, Reporting on Controls at a Service Organization (AICPA, Professional Standards, AT sec. 801). The TPAs provide guidance for service auditors reporting on controls at a service organization relevant
ASB issues clarified SAS
The AICPA’s Auditing Standards Board issued Statement on Auditing Standards (SAS) no. 125, Alert That Restricts the Use of the Auditor’s Written Communication. The SAS, which is part of its Clarity Project, supersedes SAS no. 87, Restricting the Use of an Auditor’s Report (AICPA, Professional Standards, AU sec. 532 and
Annual update on adequate disclosure of return positions issued
The IRS released updated guidance identifying when a taxpayer’s disclosure of an item or position in an income tax return is adequate for purposes of reducing the understatement of tax penalty and the tax return preparer penalty for understatement due to unreasonable positions (Rev. Proc. 2012-15). The IRS regularly releases
IT budgets stagnant in 2012, according to survey
Worldwide IT budgets are expected to be flat in 2012, when IT budgets in North America and Europe are expected to decline, according to a global survey of chief information officers (CIOs) by Gartner Inc.’s Executive Programs. Conducted in the fourth quarter of 2011, the survey of 2,335 CIOs, covering
U.S. GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy available for 2012
The 2012 U.S. GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy, which is awaiting final acceptance by the SEC, has been made available, FASB announced today. The taxonomy contains updates for accounting standards and includes other changes to the 2011 taxonomy being used by SEC issuers. The taxonomy is a list of computer-readable tags
IRS issues regs on interest expense allocation and apportionment for partners
The IRS has issued temporary and identical proposed regulations that make four changes to the rules for allocating and apportioning interest expense for partners in partnerships (T.D. 9571; REG-113903-10). The first change is to the method for apportioning interest expense for corporate partners whose interest in the partnership is 10%
Tax season starts
Tuesday, Jan. 17, marks the start of tax season, as the IRS opens up its system to accept e-filed individual tax returns. It will also start accepting returns through its Free File program on Tuesday. Unlike last year, when the start of tax season was delayed for some taxpayers by
IRS gives transitional relief to Form 8937 filers
The IRS announced on Friday that, due to its late release of the required form, it will not impose penalties on issuers of stock who report incorrect 2011 information required under Sec. 6045B, as long as they make a good-faith effort to timely comply with the requirements (Notice 2012-11). The
FASB won’t require management to make going-concern assessments
FASB will not require management to assess whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. After its board meeting Thursday, FASB announced that a majority of board members determined that such a requirement would be difficult to apply. Board members decided that users
Form debuts for Jan. 17 stock basis change reporting deadline
The IRS released new Form 8937, Report of Organizational Actions Affecting Basis of Securities, and its instructions. The deadline for filing the form for 2011 is next Tuesday, Jan. 17. Issuers of specified securities must file the form by that deadline to report organizational actions during 2011 that affect those
Comment period on private company reporting draws to a close
A comment period on private company financial statements that already has produced more than 6,500 letters has left the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) trustees with a lot to consider, FAF President and CEO Terri Polley said Thursday. Speaking at a North Carolina Association of CPAs meeting that was simulcast on
FAF releases “post-implementation review” of FIN 48
The Financial Accounting Foundation’s first formal “post-implementation review” of a FASB standard is complete with this morning’s report that FASB Interpretation no. (FIN) 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, generally achieves its purpose. According to a FAF announcement, the review concluded that FIN 48 increases relevance and comparability in
Taxpayer advocate cites underfunding as cause of IRS’ most serious problems
The national taxpayer advocate, Nina Olson, in her annual report to Congress for 2011, cited the IRS’ lack of adequate funding, expanding workload and overreliance on automation as the most serious problems facing taxpayers. She said that, as a result, the IRS cannot adequately meet the needs of taxpayers, cannot
IRS PTIN system continues to accept 2011 renewals
The IRS online system to apply for a new preparer tax identification number (PTIN) is back up and running after a two-week hiatus for maintenance. In addition, the system is continuing to accept 2011 PTIN renewals even though the Dec. 31, 2011, renewal deadline has passed. The IRS has also
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