The IRS says that at least 10% of employee retention credit claims will be denied in the coming weeks and that at least 60% of claims show an “unacceptable” level of risk. The IRS will leave in place its moratorium on processing a majority of recent claims.
Advertisement
NEWS
Supreme Court issues narrow opinion upholding Sec. 965 transition tax
The Supreme Court upheld the mandatory repatriation tax as a valid exercise of Congress’s taxing authority. The Court did not reach the question of whether income must be realized to be taxable.
Regs. cover green energy incentive wage and apprenticeship requirements
Under new final regulations issued by the IRS, taxpayers can generally increase the base amount of certain credits or deductions by five times when they meet prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements.
TQA addresses related-party disclosure requirements
The AICPA issued a new Technical Question and Answer to provide nonauthoritative guidance regarding the audit implications of a new related-party disclosure requirement for institutions that participate in the financial assistance programs of the Higher Education Act.
Private equity has big plans for small firms
Investment groups are showing record interest in the field of public accounting, leading many in the profession to look at their options while also looking inward at their business model.
IRS moves to end ‘shell game’ of basis-shifting transactions
The Service said it will release new proposed regulations and a revenue ruling to challenge the use of basis-shifting transactions used by complex partnerships in moves that could add over $50 billion to government coffers over 10 years.
IRS gives another limited estimated corporate AMT underpayment waiver
The IRS issued a notice extending earlier relief for a corporation’s failure to pay the part of estimated income tax attributable to the revised corporate alternative minimum tax.
EY makes big investment in accounting profession
The Big 4 accounting firm announced that it will invest $1 billion over three years in talent and technology. The investment includes a commitment to improve pay for early-career professionals.
PCAOB tightens liability standard
The board took three actions to update auditing standards and procedures, including the adoption of a change to an almost 20-year-old rule that tightens the standard of liability to “negligent” from “reckless” for an associated person who contributes to a firm’s violations.
9 months into ERC claim processing moratorium, still a waiting game
New employee retention credit (ERC) claims continue to be filed, and the IRS still has a backlog of claims from before a processing moratorium was announced in September. National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins says “soon” is the answer to when the moratorium will end. Meanwhile, some business owners sit and wait.
CPA Exam’s top scorers earn Elijah Watt Sells Award
Forty CPA candidates received the 2023 Elijah Watt Sells Award, which was established by the AICPA in 1923 to recognize outstanding performance on the CPA Exam.
Sustainability course now offers 26.5 CPE credits
The fourth cohort of the ESG and Sustainable Financial Strategy Course begins June 19, presented by the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and AICPA & CIMA.
AICPA applauds the Private Company Council’s work with FASB
A comment letter related to a Financial Accounting Foundation review of the PCC’s effectiveness praises the impact the council makes for private company stakeholders.
PEEC releases exposure drafts on recruiting and tax services
The proposed changes to several interpretations were identified to keep the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct “fit for purpose.”
National taxpayer advocate: TikTok a difficult adversary for IRS
Speaking at ENGAGE, Erin Collins asks: How does the IRS fight bad tax advice on TikTok when employees are not supposed to access it?
Supreme Court: Insurance proceeds increase corporation’s estate tax value
In a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court holds that life insurance proceeds a corporation receives to fund a share redemption agreement increases the corporation’s estate tax value.
Finding qualified staff tops ranking of CPA firm top issues
Accounting firms named finding qualified staff as their top issue, according to biennial survey results released by the AICPA’s firm practice management section.
Expert warns: IRS has what it needs to pursue more audits
A speaker at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE tells attendees that the IRS is paying higher salaries to attract midcareer workers as the agency increases audits.
AICPA updates practice aid for digital assets
The practice aid for accounting for and auditing of digital assets has new guidance on auditing the valuation of digital assets along with auditing procedures regarding their existence, rights, and obligations.
Finance execs waver on economy, remain neutral on their own businesses
The percentage of respondents optimistic about the U.S. economy dropped since the first quarter. Own-organization optimism remains for about 50% of CPA decision-makers in a new AICPA & CIMA survey.
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
Building a better CPA firm: Stepping up service offerings
A key step in business model modernization is determining how to implement services that satisfy clients and employees.
From The Tax Adviser
August 30, 2025
2025 tax software survey
July 31, 2025
