There are many legal and human resources considerations firms must weigh before crafting a vaccine policy for their staff.
IRS extends e-signature authorization for 6 months
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the IRS issued guidance extending the temporary authorization to issue a number of IRS forms using electronic signatures from June 30, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2021.
House passes bill protecting banking services for legal cannabis
The US House of Representatives passed a bill that would prevent federal prosecution of a depository institution providing banking services to a legitimate cannabis business. Protections also would be provided to provision of ancillary services that are expected to be interpreted to include CPA services.
Restaurant Revitalization Fund details come into focus
The Restaurant Revitalization Fund aid program’s application portal will be tested in a seven-day pilot ahead of the application’s launch. The SBA revealed key details for the program, including funding calculations.
Tips for for-profits applying NFP accounting rules for PPP funds
For-profit entities are permitted to use the not-for-profit conditional contribution accounting model to account for Paycheck Protection Program loans. The accounting requires reasoned judgment, careful evaluation of barriers and thorough documentation.
SBA aims to reopen Shuttered Venue Operators Grant portal this week
The SBA has targeted the end of this week for reopening the application portal for the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program. Technical problems forced the SBA to close the portal for repairs only hours after it opened on April 8.
Legislative threat to CPA licensure stalls in West Virginia
A bill that would have weakened requirements for occupational licensing stalled in West Virginia, but the work to maintain appropriate licensing standards is not finished for CPAs.
How nonfungible tokens work and where they get their value
A cryptocurrency expert explains the basics of NFTs and the business and buzz behind them.
EBP audits: Document so your steps can be retraced
Thorough documentation demonstrates the quality that a practitioner has delivered in any audit. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, documentation provides auditors an opportunity to show they are on top of the many changes that plans may have undergone.
Quiz: More deduction limitations for business meals and entertainment
Test your knowledge of the rules for deductibility for business-related food and beverages and/or entertainment and how much, if any, of a given expenditure can be claimed as an ordinary and necessary expense of conducting a trade or business under Sec. 162.
IRS extends penalty relief for pandemic payroll credits
The IRS provided for penalty relief under Sec. 6656 for an employer’s failure to timely deposit certain employment taxes with the IRS to allow employers to immediately take advantage of various credits enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Breaking a barrier: The first Black partner of Big Eight firm
In 1971, 50 years after the first Black CPA received his license, Elmer J. Whiting Jr. became the first Black partner of one of the nation’s largest accounting firms. His achievement helped to influence and inspire his firm, his community and ambitious professionals following his footsteps.
Offensive acronym leads to GASB’s name change proposal
The acronym for the Governmental Accounting Standards Board’s “comprehensive annual financial report” sounds like a South African ethnic slur. So, the board is proposing a name change to “annual comprehensive financial report.”
IRS explains new treatment of excess premium tax credits
The IRS said it would not require taxpayers who received excess advance premium tax credits for 2020 to file Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, after the American Rescue Plan Act retroactively exempted those amounts from being taxed.
EBP tax compliance testing tips
Employee benefit plan tax professionals need to dig deep in search of affiliates under common control and must carefully assess whether plans are skewed in favor of highly compensated employees.
ASB extends comment period for quality management ED
The AICPA Auditing Standards Board has extended the comment period through Aug. 31 for an exposure draft of three interrelated proposed standards that would change the way firms manage quality in their accounting and auditing practices.
How hiring practices have shifted as a result of the pandemic
Companies should consider benefits and challenges of hiring workers outside their geographic area.
AICPA recommendations on Q1 estimates and 2020 Form 709 extensions
The AICPA has released some recommendations for practitioners concerning various issues that have arisen due to the postponement of the April 15 tax deadline for individuals.
Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program closes for repairs on its opening day
The SBA opened its new application portal for the $16.25 billion Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) program, but shut it down for repairs due to “technical difficulties” that prevented the platform from accepting applications.
IRS explains which meals qualify for temporary 100% expense deduction
The IRS issued guidance on the temporary rule that allows a 100% deduction for eligible restaurant meals in 2021 and 2022.
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
Flip out with the latest Tech Q&A
The September Technology Q&A column shows how to create dynamic to-do lists with Excel's checkboxes and also how to set up multifactor authentication texts that don't rely on phones. Flip through both items and view a video walkthrough in our digital format.