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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.

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.

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.