The IRS on Wednesday announced a change in its policy on automatic accounting method changes in corporate reorganizations (Rev. Proc. 2012-39). Taxpayers that engage in a tax-free reorganization or liquidation under Sec. 381(a) after Aug. 31, 2011, will be allowed to make automatic accounting method changes in the tax year
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Proposed regs. issued on allocating Sec. 263A costs under simplified methods
The IRS issued proposed regulations that affect taxpayers who produce or resell property and allocate costs under the simplified production method or simplified resale method (REG-126770-06). The proposed rules would govern the taxpayers’ treatment of negative additional costs under those methods. Sec. 263A requires taxpayers to capitalize certain direct and
Taxpayer Advocate Service changes criteria for accepting cases
The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) changed its criteria for accepting individual taxpayer cases for assistance, reducing the instances in which it will accept cases. The TAS said it took this action so that it can focus on cases “where we can add the most value.” In a notice to taxpayers
Statutory definition of notional principal contract extended further through 2013
The IRS announced that, in response to comments that the proposed effective date of regulations issued under Sec. 871(m) would not give taxpayers sufficient time to build and test the systems required to implement the rules, it was further extending the effective date until 2014 (Correction to T.D. 9572, 8/31/12).
Payroll & HR solutions
Sponsored by: AccountantsWorld · ADP · Paychex · SurePayroll Payroll and human resources administration and management are natural extensions to a CPA firm’s business. Numerous accounting firms already extend these services, and many are weighing the pros and cons. No matter which model you choose, offering these services is a
2012 tax software survey: Individual product survey responses
In this year’s survey by the JofA and The Tax Adviser, more than 6,070 CPAs assessed the software they used to prepare 2011 tax returns, revealing what they liked and disliked about their software. The survey was conducted in May 2012. Overall, respondents were pleased with their software: On average,
Proposed amendments clear way for audits of SME Framework financial statements
Proposed amendments to auditing standards issued today by the AICPA Auditing Standards Board (ASB) include changes that would clear the way for audits of financial statements prepared in accordance with the special-purpose financial reporting framework for small and medium-size entities (FRF-SME) the AICPA is developing. The proposal, Omnibus Statement on
FASB takes new path in contentious financial instruments project
FASB is crafting a new expected credit loss impairment model in hopes of moving forward again in the joint accounting for financial instruments project the board is pursuing with the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). In July, IASB Chairman Hans Hoogervorst reacted with consternation when informed that FASB intended to
FASB releases proposed 2013 U.S. GAAP taxonomy for comment
FASB released Thursday the proposed 2013 U.S. GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy for public review and comment. The taxonomy is a list of computer-readable financial reporting labels coded in XBRL, a computer language that allows companies to tag the pieces of financial data included in typical long-form financial statements and related
IRS launches redesigned website; temporarily takes down some services
Taxpayers and tax practitioners vising the IRS online will find a redesigned IRS.gov website, which is scheduled to go live on Aug. 30; however, the IRS also announced that it is taking down several of its online services during the Labor Day weekend. Shutdown of web services Certain services will
Comment deadlines extended on proposed professional standard revisions
Two AICPA committees are extending comment deadlines to Nov. 30 on recently proposed revisions to professional standards. The proposed change to the ethics rules would require CPAs who prepare financial statements for attest clients to apply the general requirements of Interpretation No. 101-3, Nonattest Services, to maintain their independence. The
IRS changes stance on application of Sec. 6662 penalty to frozen refundable credits
The IRS announced, in Program Manager Technical Advice (PMTA) 2012-16, that it would no longer impose a penalty under Sec. 6662 for a substantial understatement of tax when a taxpayer claims a refundable tax credit he or she is not entitled to, but the IRS does not pay the refund
AICPA provides guidance on FSA certification letters
In response to a Farm Service Agency (FSA) initiative requesting that CPAs certify some clients’ income, the AICPA has worked with the FSA to create a certification letter CPAs can use and is providing its members with sample engagement and disclosure letters to be used in connection with providing a
Canadian economic optimism drops based on U.S., European woes
Canadian accounting executives see problems outside their country as posing the greatest risk for growth inside Canada. Thirty-seven percent of Canadian executive Chartered Accountants say the biggest hurdle for growth in Canada is the state of the U.S. economy, according to Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) Business Monitor survey
Highly scrutinized SEC conflict mineral regs. include new audit requirement
The SEC on Wednesday approved disclosure rules designed to increase transparency around companies’ use of so-called “conflict minerals” and payments to governments for access to natural resources. The rules, advocated by certain human rights groups, will implement two sections of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of
Federal law preempts Alabama statute denying tax deduction for illegal alien employees
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals held that the section of Alabama House Bill 56 that disallowed an employer a state tax deduction for wages and compensation paid to an alien unauthorized to work in the United States was preempted by federal immigration law (United States v. Alabama, No. 11-14532
Accountants: What it takes to start your own business
Accountants who think they want to launch their own business should not proceed unless they have a clear vision of their company’s purpose and a thorough understanding of what it really means to become an entrepreneur. Those were among the main points made by a panel of accountants-turned-entrepreneurs during a
IRS Chief Counsel’s office issues advice on identity theft returns
In Program Manager Technical Advice 2012-13, the IRS Office of Chief Counsel explained in a memorandum to Small Business/Self-Employed Division attorneys what the IRS can do when a return is filed by an identity thief in order to generate a fraudulent refund and the IRS has issued a statutory notice
Sense of direction is critical to employee satisfaction
People like to know where they are going—and how they are going to get there. This sense of direction, path, and destination is just as important for employees in the workplace as it is for travelers on a journey, according to a new survey from temporary accounting, finance, and bookkeeping
IRS announces the end of tiered issues
Effective Aug. 17, 2012, the IRS will no longer use the tiered management process to set examination priorities and address important issues in the Large Business & International division (LB&I). Instead, it will examine the former Tier I, II, and III issues and assess risk in the same manner as
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