In a decision that creates a split from five other circuit courts, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals quashed IRS summonses that were issued after the 23-day period required under Sec. 7609(a)(1) (Jewell, Nos. 13-6069, 13-7038 (10th Cir. 4/28/14)). When the IRS issued four summonses to banks seeking records about nursing
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SEC slightly amends conflict minerals reporting requirements
The SEC has amended its conflict minerals reporting requirements after an appeals court struck down part of the rule. Under the conflict minerals rule, issuers are required to attempt to determine whether the gold, tantalum, tin, and tungsten used in their products originated in mines operated by warlords in the
Two SEC commissioners call for stay of conflict minerals rule
Two SEC commissioners issued a statement Monday calling for the commission to stay its conflict minerals rule and impose no further regulatory obligations related to the rule until litigation surrounding the rule is completed. Commissioners Daniel Gallagher and Michael Piwowar said marching ahead with a rule that might be invalidated
“Killer B” anti-abuse regulations are on the way
Recognizing that taxpayers are exploiting the rules in ways it had not intended, the IRS on Friday announced that it will amend the existing regulations on cross-border reverse triangular reorganizations, popularly known as “Killer B” transactions (Notice 2014-32). Killer B transactions are designed to allow corporations to repatriate foreign subsidiary
CAQ proposes an approach to communicating audit quality indicators
The set of potential audit quality indicators proposed by the Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) on Thursday is the result of a focused effort to find objective measurements for audit work. The CAQ paper is the culmination of a two-year effort with the CAQ’s member firms to develop perspectives regarding
IAASB reconsiders auditors’ “other information” duties
A new International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) reproposal is intended to clarify and strengthen auditors’ responsibilities related to “other information” that is included in organizations’ annual reports outside the audited financial statements. The reproposed International Standard on Auditing 720 (Revised), The Auditor’s Responsibilities Relating to Other Information, would
New TPAs address changes to reports arising from PCC VIE alternative
New nonauthoritative guidance issued by the AICPA addresses changes to accountants’ or auditors’ reports when a client adopts a new Private Company Council (PCC) alternative that results in a change to a previously issued report. Private company clients can elect not to apply variable-interest entity guidance to certain common-control leasing
IRS issues 2015 inflation adjustments for HSAs
The IRS issued the calendar year 2015 inflation-adjusted figures for the annual contribution limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and the minimum deductible amounts and maximum out-of-pocket expense amounts for high-deductible health plans (Rev. Proc. 2014-30). Individuals who participate in a health plan with a high deductible are permitted a
IRS employees with conduct issues receive bonuses, TIGTA reports
On Tuesday, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) released a report concluding that the IRS’s awards program, which awards cash and compensatory time off to a large number of IRS employees, did not consider employee misconduct, including tax compliance issues, in making these awards. Although the IRS complied with federal
ASB interpretations address GASB pension issues
The AICPA Auditing Standards Board (ASB) issued three auditing interpretations to help address some of the numerous accounting and auditing issues that are facing governmental cost-sharing multiple-employer pension plans and the government employers that participate in them. The interpretations are intended to help auditors of governmental cost-sharing plans and participating
New conflict minerals guidance available
Conflict minerals reporting and auditing is a newly emerging practice, as May 31 is the submission date required by the SEC for the first reports of issuers’ efforts to track the gold, tantalum, tin, and tungsten in their supply chains. The AICPA Conflict Minerals Task Force has developed new nonauthoritative
IASB seeks improvement for macro hedging accounting
An effort to create a more accurate depiction of risk management activities known as “macro hedging” in financial reporting is reflected in a discussion paper released Thursday by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The IASB is inviting comment on a possible new approach to accounting for macro hedging because
Accounting, finance jobs take weeks to fill
The empty desk in the accounting and finance department often doesn’t get filled overnight. Vacant accounting or finance jobs take an average of about one month to fill, according to a recent survey of 2,100 CFOs by staffing services firm Robert Half. CFOs were asked how many weeks it typically
Taxpayers must reveal tax shelter opinion letters despite attorney-client privilege
By attempting to establish good-faith and state-of-mind defenses, taxpayers put their legal knowledge and understanding into contention, and therefore they waived attorney-client privilege, the Tax Court held on Wednesday (Ad Investment 2000 Fund LLC, 142 T.C. No. 13 (2014)). As a result, the court will order the taxpayers to produce
Court ruling doesn’t stop conflict minerals compliance work
Despite an appellate court opinion that struck down a disclosure requirement in the SEC’s new conflict minerals rule, experts say companies need to continue tracing the origins of the gold, tantalum, tin, and tungsten in their supply chains and preparing to file their disclosures. The SEC’s conflict minerals rule was mandated
Foreign housing expense limitations issued for 2014
According to the IRS, Hong Kong, Moscow, and Geneva are the three most expensive foreign cities to live in, for purposes of the Sec. 911 foreign housing exclusion. On Monday, the IRS provided its annual list of inflation-adjusted limitations on foreign housing expenses for 2014 (Notice 2014-29). Sec. 911(a) allows
GASB establishes approaches for measurement
Newly defined approaches for measuring assets and liabilities issued Monday by GASB will guide the board as it sets accounting standards for U.S. state and local governments. Concepts Statement No. 6, Measurement of Elements of Financial Statements, establishes two approaches for measuring assets and liabilities: Initial amounts: These are determined
How preparers can cut down on disclosures in financial reports
Changes to disclosure requirements are on the horizon as the SEC ponders updating its rules in an effort to make information more useful for investors. The commission is reviewing specific sections of regulations S-K and S-X to see if requirements can be updated, SEC Division of Corporation Finance Director Keith
Regulators suggest firms take deep dive into audit quality
While acknowledging that auditors are under unprecedented scrutiny, an international association of audit regulators is asking audit firms to analyze causes of problems in audits globally in hopes of finding remedies. Lewis Ferguson, chair of the International Forum of Independent Audit Regulators (IFIAR), said he believes audit quality has improved
FASB changes discontinued operations reporting guidance
New guidance issued Thursday by FASB will reduce the number of disposals of assets that should be presented as discontinued operations in organizations’ financial reporting. Only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations that have a major effect on the organization’s operations and financial results will be required to be
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