The $900 billion COVID-19 relief package passed Monday provides $284 billion for a revised Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and clarifies that businesses can claim tax deductions for expenses paid for with forgiven PPP loans.
PPP expense deductibility and forgiveness raises basis, other issues
The potential for the deductibility of PPP-funded expenses raises some practice questions, and traps for the unwary lurk in the details.
Many tax provisions appear in year-end coronavirus relief bill
The year-end coronavirus relief and spending bill passed by Congress includes many tax provisions, including pandemic-related relief, extensions of expired provisions, and a large number of miscellaneous items, including temporary 100% deductibility for business meals.
Simplified accounting rules for small businesses allow annual election
The IRS finalized regulations for simplified accounting rules for small businesses, which are defined as businesses with inflation adjusted average annual gross receipts of $25 million ($26 million for 2020 and 2021).
AICPA tax policy and advocacy recommendations deliver results in 2020
Amid challenging circumstances, the AICPA’s tax policy and advocacy efforts provided successful results that benefited the accounting profession and taxpayers in 2020.
Financial fraud risks to watch for amid the pandemic
CPAs need to be especially watchful for fraud amid the severe financial pressures associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
Guidance for single audits provided in OMB compliance addendum
The Office of Management and Budget released its 2020 Compliance Supplement addendum, providing single audit practitioners with information they were eagerly awaiting on how to audit federal economic relief programs related to the coronavirus pandemic.
2021 standard mileage rates decrease
The IRS issued the 2021 standard mileage rates for use in computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving expense purposes. The rates all decreased from 2021 to 2020.
AICPA white paper tackles blockchain and SOC for Service Organization reports
The AICPA has published a white paper designed to help practitioners perform SOC for Service Organization reports on companies that use blockchain to deliver services to customers.
Circular 230 update planned for 2021
Updating the rules governing practice before the IRS is one of the goals of the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility for the new year, its director says.
5 accounting considerations for divestitures and carveouts
Divestitures, spinoffs and carveouts are business strategies that may be pursued by more companies amid the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic. These tips can assist in the accounting for these moves.
IRS regs. govern misdirected refund claims
The IRS announced procedures for identifying and recovering direct deposit refunds that a taxpayer did not receive in the designated account.
FASB proposes goodwill evaluation relief for some private companies, NFPs
FASB issued a proposal that would permit certain private companies and not-for-profits to elect not to perform goodwill assessments related to triggering events.
Forecasting and impairment tips for an unprecedented time
The economic slump resulting from the pandemic has increased the risk of asset write-downs and added to the pressure on auditors to scrutinize impairment models. Company boards also are paying more attention to forecasting and impairment.
Executive compensation regulations finalized
The IRS issued final rules on the $1 million executive compensation limits enacted by the law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, finalizing proposed rules with a few changes in response to comments.
New SEC rules require extraction companies to disclose payments
The SEC issued new rules requiring disclosure of payments to governments by certain resource extraction companies. Critics say the rules don’t go far enough.
Quiz: Are you prepared to audit fraud risk during a pandemic?
With so many organizations financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and making an abrupt shift to remote working, there’s a perfect storm for increased fraud in financial statements. Take this quiz to see if you know your responsibilities for auditing fraud risks in your engagements.
Temporary e-signature authorization for IRS forms extended
The IRS announced that it was extending taxpayers’ ability to file a number of forms using electronic signatures due to the pandemic. The limited relief extends the authorization through June 30, 2021.
FASB addresses revenue contracts with customers acquired in a business combination
FASB proposed a standard that is intended to drive consistency in accounting for revenue contracts with customers acquired in a business combination.
FAQs on SOC 2 and SOC 3 engagements issued by AICPA staff
The AICPA staff has posted new FAQ guidance on issues related to System and Organization Controls 2 and 3 (SOC 2 and SOC 3) engagements.
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Preparing clients for new provisions next tax season
As the 2025 filing season approaches, H.R. 1 introduces significant tax reforms that CPAs must be prepared to navigate. These legislative changes represent some of the most comprehensive tax updates in recent years, affecting both individual and corporate taxpayers. This report provides in-depth analysis and guidance on H.R. 1.