The IRS issued guidance adding state unclaimed property fund distributions to the list of reasons that taxpayers may self-certify that they missed the 60-day deadline to roll over funds to a qualified retirement plan.
FBAR deadline extended to Oct. 31 after confusion
After a misworded posting caused confusion about the 2020 deadline to file FBARs (i.e., FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)), Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has extended the deadline to Oct. 31.
Inflation-adjusted limit for 2021 HRAs issued
The IRS issued the 2021 limit for excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements using the Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers inflation-adjustment method.
SEC aims to reduce unnecessary auditor independence red flags
The SEC adopted amendments that are designed to reduce situations that trigger independence rule violations in situations that don’t necessarily impair an auditor’s objectivity or impartiality.
Government reporting and the future: A Q&A with GASB Chairman Joel Black
With state and local governments facing serious pandemic-related concerns, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board is providing relief and resources while also working on its “big three” high-impact projects for the future. GASB Chairman Joel Black explains in this Q&A.
Report supports established interstate mobility principles
A report released by the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing examines successful mobility and reciprocity practices in state licensure that permit professionals to practice across state lines.
FinCEN pulls announcement of extended FBAR deadline
Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network briefly announced, but then rescinded, an extension of this year’s deadline to e-file FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR).
FASB clarifies callable debt securities accounting
FASB published a new standard that clarifies accounting requirements for callable debt securities.
Costs and benefits: A Q&A with FASB Chair Richard Jones
The chair of the Financial Accounting Standards Board describes his vision for standard setting and his dedication to making sure the costs of new rules don’t exceed the benefits.
2021 Social Security wage base announced
The Social Security Administration announced that the maximum amount of wages subject to the old age, survivors, and disability insurance tax will increase to $142,800 in 2021 from $137,700 in 2020.
SBA settles confusion over PPP forgiveness application due date
Fears of a late-October PPP surprise came to the SBA’s attention because the program’s loan forgiveness application forms display an expiration date of “10/31/2020” in the upper-right corner.
Consolidated group NOL rules are finalized
The IRS finalized regulations governing the treatment of net operating losses by consolidated groups after recent legislation changed the rules.
Several states provide one-month filing relief for corporate deadlines
With the Oct. 15 corporate tax filing deadline looming and the global pandemic still affecting taxpayers and practitioners, several states have provided one-month filing relief for their corporate Oct. 15 deadlines.
Audit committee cybersecurity disclosures rising in proxy statements
Disclosures around oversight of cybersecurity risk by audit committees are increasing in public company proxy statements, according to a yearly analysis released by the Center for Audit Quality and Audit Analytics. But other disclosures have leveled off in recent years.
PPP forgiveness simplified for loans of $50,000 or less
PPP borrowers of $50,000 or less will have the opportunity to apply for forgiveness using a simplified application. Under the new process, these borrowers will be exempted from penalties for reduction of full-time employees or employees’ salary or wages.
Rules govern withholding on transfers of partnership interests and ECI
The IRS finalized proposed regulations on withholding from transfers of partnership interests to foreign persons and the definition of effectively connected income for those purposes.
Fair value, stablecoins addressed in new AICPA guidance
Nonauthoritative set of 13 Q&As also touches on how investment companies and broker-dealers should account for digital assets.
SBA clarifies deferral period for PPP loan payments
The SBA released guidance clarifying that lenders must recognize the previously established extended deferral period for payments on the principal, interest and fees on all Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, even if the executed promissory note indicates only a six-month deferral.
With Oct. 15 looming, some practitioners face daunting challenges
Tax practitioners have expressed concerns that they will not be able to meet upcoming Oct. 15 tax filing deadline for a variety of reasons related to the global pandemic.
Nonfilers have until Nov. 21 to apply for economic impact payment
The IRS announced that it was extending the deadline from Oct. 15 to Nov. 21 at midnight for certain individuals to enter their information on the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool on the IRS website to receive the $1,200 stimulus payment due to individual taxpayers.
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
AI risks CPAs should know
Are you ready for the AI revolution in accounting? This JofA Technology Q&A article explores the top risks CPAs face—from hallucinations to deepfakes—and ways to mitigate them.
