The IFRS Foundation will receive assistance for work on international convergence projects from its U.S. counterpart, the Financial Accounting Foundation (FAF). FAF announced Tuesday that it will make a nonrecurring contribution of up to $3 million in 2014 to the IFRS Foundation to support the work by the International Accounting
NEWS
SEC issues reminder on investment adviser due diligence
Investment advisers need to follow appropriate due-diligence processes when recommending or placing clients’ assets in alternative investments such as hedge funds, private-equity funds, or funds of private funds, the SEC said in a risk alert issued Tuesday. According to the alert from the SEC’s Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations
Simplified method offered for requesting extended time to make portability election
The IRS on Monday offered certain executors a simplified way to request an extension of time to make the “portability” election to transfer a deceased spouse’s unused estate tax exclusion to the surviving spouse (Rev. Proc. 2014-18). Executors of estates of spouses who died in 2011, 2012, or 2013 and
Final version of net investment income tax form released
Just in time for the start of tax season, the IRS has released the final version of Form 8960, Net Investment Income Tax—Individuals, Estates, and Trusts, which will be used by individuals and trusts and estates to compute the new 3.8% tax and then to report the tax on Forms
Minimum essential coverage and shared-responsibility penalty rules provide transitional relief for individuals
Proposed regulations issued by the IRS on Friday answer a number of questions regarding the Sec. 5000A “individual mandate” under 2010’s health care reform legislation, including the definition of those government programs that do not provide minimum essential health care coverage (REG-141036-13). They also provide a hardship exemption for individuals
Guidance issued on accounting method changes under repair regs.
The IRS on Friday issued long-awaited guidance on accounting method changes under the so-called repair regulations, which govern the treatment of expenditures incurred in acquiring, producing, or improving tangible assets (Rev. Proc. 2014-16). Several sections of the repair regulations require taxpayers to secure the IRS’s consent before changing to an
European audit reform proposal moving forward
April is the forecasted date for a vote of the full European Parliament on European Union audit market reforms, which took another step in the legislative process this week. The EU Legal Affairs Committee voted 13–8, with one abstention, on Tuesday to approve a draft agreement between Parliament and the
AICPA issues personal financial planning standards
The AICPA on Tuesday issued additional authoritative guidance for CPAs who offer personal financial planning services. The AICPA Statement on Standards in Personal Financial Planning Services covers all aspects of the planning process—from obtaining information to communicating and implementing recommendations. The standards, which will take effect July 1, require complete
Private-company GAAP alternatives could unlock savings
The first two GAAP alternatives created by the Private Company Council (PCC) were released by FASB on Thursday, giving private companies new options for possible cost savings in their financial reporting. FASB released Accounting Standards Updates describing the alternatives. They are: An exemption for private companies from the requirement to
District court says premium tax credits are available in federal health care exchanges
In a decision that aids the implementation of a key provision of 2010’s health care reform legislation, the federal district court for the District of Columbia held that the Sec. 36B premium tax credit is available to taxpayers who purchase health insurance through the 34 state health care exchanges that
Partnership basis rules proposed
The IRS on Wednesday issued proposed regulations providing guidance on the application of Sec. 704(c)(1)(C) added by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, P.L. 108-357 (AJCA), and the amendments to the mandatory basis adjustment rules of Sec. 743 in the AJCA. The proposed regulations would also conform the regulations
Final regs. prescribe treatment of bond premium carryforward
The IRS issued final regulations on the tax treatment of debt instruments with bond premium carryforward in the holder’s final accrual period (T.D. 9653). The regulations adopt, without substantive change, regulations proposed last January (REG-140437-12) and withdraw the temporary regulations issued at the same time (T.D. 9609). Last January’s proposed
SEC delays municipal adviser rule compliance date
Compliance with the SEC’s final municipal adviser registration rules will not be required until July 1, 2014, the commission announced Monday. The SEC extended the date for compliance to give market participants additional time to analyze, implement, and comply with the final rules. The rules had been scheduled to go
Swiss court stops handover of tax information to U.S.
A Swiss court has prevented the handover of information on U.S. account holders to the IRS by the Julius Baer Group Ltd., a Swiss bank (A v. Federal Tax Administration, A-5390/2013 (Fed. Admin. Ct. 1/6/14)). The IRS requested information from the bank on its customers who are U.S. citizens based
IRS issues final rules on sales-based royalties and vendor allowances
On Friday, the IRS issued final regulations on sales-based royalties and vendor allowance rules under Sec. 263A and Sec. 471 (T.D. 9652). The rules, which adopt the proposed regulations (REG-149335-08) issued in 2011 with some changes in response to comments, apply to tax years ending on or after Jan. 13,
New regulations among SEC’s 2014 examination priorities
Issues posed by new rules and regulations will be among the issues the SEC scrutinizes most closely in 2014 in its examination of issues at financial institutions reviewed under the Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations’ National Examination Program. The SEC on Thursday announced its examination priorities for 2014, which
Preparers oppose PCAOB’s plan for more auditor disclosures
The message from financial statement preparers to the PCAOB about the content of audit reports is clear. Preparers don’t want their responsibilities usurped by auditors. “While some investors may desire improvements in disclosures, the proper source of this information is management and not the auditor,” Fedex Corp. told the PCAOB
TPA addresses use of current auditing standards for audits of prior periods
The AICPA has issued nonauthoritative guidance addressing the use of current auditing standards for audits of prior periods. According to Technical Question and Answer (TPA) 8100.03, when an auditor is engaged to perform an audit of financial statements that are as of or for a period that ended prior to
New procedures for reinstatement of tax-exempt status are introduced
Tax-exempt organizations that have had their tax-exempt status automatically revoked because they failed to file required annual returns for three consecutive years have new procedures for getting their exempt status reinstated, under guidance issued by the IRS on Thursday (Rev. Proc. 2014-11). Earlier guidance providing methods for reinstating exempt status
Six developments for CPAs to watch in 2014
If you enjoy change, 2014 should be a good year. The months ahead will see the accounting profession gearing up for new regulations and handling significant financial reporting developments, including preparing to implement changes in accounting for revenue. Here are a few of the likely financial reporting and regulatory developments
Features
SPONSORED REPORT
Get your clients ready for tax season
Help clients avoid surprises with year-end planning strategies for managing taxable income, maximizing deductions, and adjusting to OBBBA changes affecting individuals and businesses.
