The AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee has adopted revised interpretations of the “Independence Rule” related to leases and client affiliates and a new interpretation under the “Confidential Client Information Rule” of the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct.
NEWS
GASB issues proposed lease accounting implementation guide
GASB issued a proposed implementation guide that is designed to help state and local governments understand the board’s new standard on lease accounting.
IRS finalizes centralized partnership audit regulations
The IRS issued final regulations on the centralized partnership audit regime, which generally assesses tax at the partnership level.
Taxpayers will file QBI deduction computation with IRS next year
The IRS posted a draft of a form that affected taxpayers will submit with their 2019 tax returns showing how they computed their qualified business income (QBI) deduction under Sec. 199A.
FASB addresses deferred revenue in business combinations
FASB took a step forward in resolving challenges in its rules for recognizing and measuring deferred revenue in business combinations.
Clients’ top retirement fear: Running out of money
Nearly one-third (30%) of financial planners say their clients’ top retirement fear is running out of money, according to a recent AICPA survey of 631 CPA financial planners.
Bonus depreciation safe-harbor rules for vehicles issued
The IRS issued a safe-harbor procedure that taxpayers may follow for determining the deduction for depreciating passenger vehicles when they are eligible for 100% bonus depreciation but are also subject to the Sec. 280F limits on deductions for luxury automobiles.
IAASB aims to enhance engagement quality reviews
The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board has proposed new rules designed to ensure that engagement quality reviews maintain their effectiveness.
Finding value in revenue recognition implementation
The challenges associated with FASB’s new revenue recognition standard have been substantial for many companies, but at least they’re gaining valuable data and process improvements as a result of the implementation.
Identity protection PIN program expands
The IRS announced that it is expanding its identity protection personal identification number (IP PIN) program to taxpayers in seven additional states.
FASB proposes transition relief for credit losses standard
FASB proposed providing an option to measure certain types of assets at fair value, a change aimed at making the transition to its new credit losses standard easier.
IRS issues updates on post-shutdown activities
The IRS posted guidance for the public explaining how it will be operating now that the shutdown has ended, to catch up on its backlog in audits, collections, tax return processing, and Tax Court cases.
Government shutdown ends in time for tax season
The partial shutdown of the federal government ended just in time to allow the full IRS workforce to return to work for the start of tax season.
News quiz: Uncertainty looms as year begins
The partial government shutdown and uncertainty about its effects dominated the news as 2019 began. See how much you remember from recent news reports with this short quiz.
Americans’ personal financial satisfaction dips in fourth quarter
The AICPA’s Personal Financial Satisfaction Index (PFSi) declined for the first time in two years in the fourth quarter of 2018, largely due to the stock market’s end-of-year downturn.
Paid preparer’s checklist expands to include head-of-household, other tax credit questions
Practitioners should be aware of changes to the due-diligence requirements for returns that claim the earned income tax credit, the American opportunity tax credit, and/or the child tax credit.
Cost-of-complexity exercise enables better decisions
Determining the right amount of packaging specialization helps management accountants balance customer preferences with cost-effectiveness.
Qualified business income deduction regs. and other guidance issued
The package includes final regulations, guidance on how to calculate W-2 wages, a safe-harbor rule for rental real estate businesses, and new proposed rules on the treatment of previously suspended losses.
Some individual taxpayers get relief from underpayment penalty
The relief applies to individuals whose tax withheld and estimated tax payments equal at least 85% of the tax shown on their 2018 tax return.
Final regulations govern Sec. 965 transition tax
The IRS finalized proposed regulations issued last August on the new transition tax, which generally taxes the accumulated post-1986 deferred foreign income of a corporation.
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
Making the right choice when no one is watching
The true test of one’s character is the decision made when no one is looking over your shoulder. Learn how CPAs can uphold ethical standards and take actions that help limit liability risk.
