In response to concerns that “[t]he proliferation of new income tax provisions since the 1986 tax reform effort has led to complex compliance hurdles for taxpayers, administrative complexity and enforcement challenges for the Internal Revenue Service,” the AICPA submitted recommendations for tax reform to five of the 11 working groups
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New TPAs provide guidance for auditors
The AICPA has issued nonauthoritative guidance in five Technical Question and Answer (TPA) releases, which are available on the AICPA website. TPA 9110.22 provides guidance for auditors when an entity’s financial statements are audited in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and Government Auditing Standards. When both standards are used,
IASB proposes interim standard on rate-regulated activities
The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) proposed an interim standard Thursday that would allow entities to preserve their existing accounting policies for rate-regulated activities—with some modifications to enhance comparability—while the board considers whether it should develop specific guidance. Feedback from the IASB’s agenda consultation led the board to launch a
Widow avoids jail time and probation in sentencing for offshore account tax evasion
Wealthy Palm Beach resident Mary Estelle Curran was sentenced to one year of probation in federal district court Thursday, following her guilty plea to charges of tax evasion. However, Judge Kenneth Ryskamp almost immediately revoked that sentence, reportedly telling the prosecutors that he thought the prosecution had been unnecessary and
Europe takes step toward mandatory audit firm rotation
The European Union took a step toward requiring mandatory audit firm rotation Thursday when the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee voted 15–10 in favor of a draft law that would require public-interest entities such as banks, insurance firms, and listed companies to rotate audit firms every 14 years. That period
Baker Tilly to merge with New York firm Holtz Rubenstein Reminick
Baker Tilly Virchow Krause LLP, one of the 20 largest U.S. accounting firms, is merging with Holtz Rubenstein Reminick LLP in a deal that will give Chicago-based Baker Tilly a significant foothold in New York City. The merger announced Wednesday is scheduled to take effect June 1. It will create
New PCAOB policy describes rewards for extraordinary cooperation
Registered public accounting firms and auditors whose cooperation with PCAOB investigations is deemed “extraordinary” may be rewarded with reduced penalties in disciplinary proceedings. The PCAOB issued a formal policy statement Wednesday that defines extraordinary cooperation and describes incentives for firms and individuals that make voluntary, extra efforts to aid the
New FASB chairman Golden describes priorities
Russell Golden, who was named Tuesday to be Leslie Seidman’s successor as FASB chairman, said the board’s immediate priorities will include completing international convergence projects and ensuring that accounting standards for private companies are relevant. Golden, 42, a FASB board member who will become chairman on July 1 after Seidman’s
Golden to succeed Seidman as FASB chairman
Russell Golden, whose technical expertise as a FASB staff member led him to a spot on the standard-setting board in 2010, will succeed Leslie Seidman as FASB’s chairman on July 1. The Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF) announced Golden’s appointment Tuesday. FAF Chairman Jeffrey Diermeier said in a news release that
New FASB rules standardize liquidation reporting
A new FASB standard released Monday provides guidance for organizations on when and how to prepare financial statements using the liquidation basis of accounting. Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-07, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205): Liquidation Basis of Accounting, describes how financial statements must be prepared by a company that
GASB provides guidance for nonexchange guarantees
GASB on Monday approved a new standard designed to help state and local governments report on nonexchange financial guarantees they have offered, and to help governments properly report on guarantees they have received on their obligations. GASB Statement No. 70, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Nonexchange Financial Guarantees, spells out
IRS decides to shut down completely on furlough dates
Acting IRS Commissioner Steve Miller announced that the IRS will close “all public-facing operations,” including toll-free operations and Taxpayer Assistance Centers, on May 24, June 14, July 5, July 22, and August 30, with another two days of closings possible in August or September, in response to the budget cuts
Boston-area residents get more time to file returns and pay tax
In response to Monday’s bombings at the Boston Marathon, the IRS announced late Tuesday that it is extending the time for filing certain individual tax returns that were due April 15 and paying any tax due until July 15. “Our hearts go out to the people affected by this tragic
User-friendly AICPA ethics code on horizon
Ethical decisions often need to be reached quickly, but the AICPA’s Code of Professional Conduct (ethics code) is not structured for quick and easy navigation. A proposed reformatted ethics code is meant to change that. AICPA members are invited to comment on the proposal until Aug. 15. The current ethics
Basis reporting for debt instruments and options is phased-in
In final regulations implementing the basis reporting requirements under Sec. 6045(g) that apply to debt instruments and options, the IRS, in response to comments about the complexity of complying with these rules, is implementing the reporting requirements for debt instruments and transfer reporting in phases, to give brokers ample time
Integrated reporting takes a big step with international framework draft
The release of a highly anticipated proposed framework Tuesday heralded a new chapter in the evolution of corporate reporting. The International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) made public a framework consultation draft—a blueprint for how the group hopes businesses will communicate with stakeholders. Developed with input from business, investors, standard setters,
Witnesses tell Senate Finance Committee ways to improve tax system
Witnesses gave the Senate Finance Committee a variety of suggestions on how to fight tax identity theft and fraud, reform the tax system, and fund the IRS during a hearing on Tuesday. The committee heard from witnesses representing the IRS, the Taxpayer Advocate Service, the Social Security Administration (SSA), and
New FASB proposal would increase private companies’ options
Private companies would be able to choose and use only the GAAP exceptions or modifications that make sense for them in their financial reporting under a new proposal released Monday by FASB. FASB and the Private Company Council (PCC) issued an Invitation to Comment on the private company decision-making framework.
Auditors of fair value now eligible for ABV credential
Auditors of fair value for financial reporting are eligible for the AICPA Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) credential as a result of a recent revision. The AICPA Forensic & Valuation Services (FVS) Section recently changed the experience requirement section of the ABV credential application kit to make the credential available
A look at the estate tax provisions in the president’s FY 2014 budget proposal
President Barack Obama’s recently released FY 2014 proposed budget contains a number of estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer (GST) tax proposals. The most far-reaching would permanently return the estate, gift, and GST tax regimes to the 2009 rules, starting in 2018. This would mean a 45% top tax rate and
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