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New FASB discontinued operations proposal aims for relevance

Investors told FASB that current GAAP calls too often for disposals of assets to be presented as discontinued operations. FASB has responded to those concerns by issuing a proposal that would redefine “discontinued operation” in such a way that discontinued operations disclosures would be required only for disposals that are

Appeals court reverses $2.6 million penalty against tax shelter promoter

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed and remanded a district court decision because the lower court permitted the jury to hear evidence of a taxpayer’s failure to file his personal income tax returns and to pay his taxes as evidence of his bad acts in determining whether he should

IRS’s identity theft liaison pilot program with law enforcement expands to 50 states

The IRS announced the expansion of its Law Enforcement Assistance Program on identity theft to 50 states and the District of Columbia (IR-2013-34). The expansion was effective Friday. Under the program, state and local law enforcement officials with evidence of identity theft involving fraudulently filed tax returns obtain permission from

IRS extends suspension of examinations of tangible property capitalization issues

On Wednesday, the IRS posted an updated Large Business & Industry (LB&I) Directive for field examinations on the repair vs. capitalization issue that extends the suspension of examinations (LB&I-04-0313-001). The effective date of the tangible property temporary regulations (T.D. 9564) (in amendments published Dec. 17, 2012) has been extended to

Appeals court denies IRS request for stay in return preparer regulation case

The IRS lost another round in its court battle to regulate tax return preparers when the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied its motion to stay an injunction halting its return preparer regulation program, pending appeal of a lower court’s decision (Loving, No. 1:12-cv-00385-JEB (D.C.

FASB provides more time to compare credit loss proposals

FASB on Thursday voted to extend to May 31 the deadline for comments on its Proposed Accounting Standards Update (ASU), Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Subtopic 825-15). The comment period originally was scheduled to end April 30. In comment letters, a handful of organizations asked FASB to extend the comment period to

PCAOB attempting to make auditing standards easier to navigate

The PCAOB on Tuesday took the first step toward what’s intended to be a comprehensive reorganization of its auditing standards. Board members unanimously voted to publish a proposal for a framework that would place the PCAOB’s auditing standards into a topical structure with a single, integrated numbering system. The board

Identity theft, phishing top IRS’s “Dirty Dozen” tax scams

The IRS issued its “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams Tuesday, highlighting fraudulent schemes commonly committed by and upon taxpayers. The annual warning, released to coincide with tax filing season, emphasizes the most egregious schemes involving filing false returns or return items, but it also advises yearlong vigilance against practices

“Sovereign citizens” promoter faces up to 164 years in prison

A proponent of the “sovereign citizens” movement and self-proclaimed president of the “Republic for the United States” has been convicted of conspiracy to defraud the United States through a series of seminars in which attendees were taught to pay their federal income taxes by filing fictitious bonds (Turner, No. 1:12cr169-MHT

Technical practice aids address questions on audits of group financial statements

Nonauthoritative guidance arising from implementation issues is provided in 16 additional Technical Questions and Answers (TPAs) included as paragraphs .24 to .39 of TIS Section 8800, “Audits of Group Financial Statements and Work of Others.” Implementation issues, particularly regarding equity investments, are addressed in the guidance for AU-C Section 600,

IASB proposes simplified accounting for certain defined benefit contributions

An International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) proposal published Monday is designed to simplify certain aspects of accounting for contributions to defined benefit plans under IAS 19, Employee Benefits. The proposed amendments were created in response to concerns about the complexity of applying requirements related to accounting for contributions from employees

FASB gives more detail on expected credit loss proposal

FASB is providing additional explanation of a proposal in one of its most challenging projects. A 16-page FAQ document posted on FASB’s website Monday is designed to educate those interested in the standard the board is developing on expected credit losses in its financial instruments project. The Proposed Accounting Standards

Auditors required to modify New York City form

Auditors providing an opinion on operating income and expenses for New York City Tax Commission certiorari filings are required to modify a certification form to comply with new standards, according to the AICPA. Under those conditions, auditors are required to modify Form TC309, Accountant’s Certification, to comply with new generally

CAQ educational guide describes internal control process

A new guide released Thursday by the Center for Audit Quality (CAQ) is designed to educate investors and the general public on a process that reinforces reliable financial reporting at U.S. public companies. The CAQ’s Guide to Internal Control Over Financial Reporting describes how companies enhance the reliability of their

PCAOB may propose reorganization of auditing standards

The PCAOB is considering proposing a reorganization of its auditing standards that would be designed to present them in a logical order that generally follows the flow of how an audit is conducted. An open meeting of the board has been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to consider issuing for

Taxpayers filing delayed forms get late-payment penalty relief

On Wednesday, the IRS announced that it will waive the penalty normally assessed for late payment of income tax, for taxpayers who have requested an extension of time to file their return and who are filing one of the 31 forms that were delayed until March because of the last-minute

Eagerly anticipated COSO framework set for May release

The wait for the eagerly anticipated update of a popular framework for internal control is almost over. The board of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) has approved its updated Internal Control—Integrated Framework and expects to issue it May 14, according to a news release distributed

Tax filing resources—Tax year 2012

This is the one-stop shop for all the updates you need to know for this year’s tax filing season. Find resources from the Journal of Accountancy, plus tax return checklists and tax savings tips from the AICPA, categorized by tax topic. INDIVIDUAL TAX All 2012 tax returns can now be

FASB among 12 participants in IASB advisory forum

FASB is one of 12 national and regional standard setters that will participate as an inaugural member of a group that has been formed to provide technical advice to the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The group, known as the Accounting Standards Advisory Forum (ASAF), was formed to improve cooperation

Tax reform prospects good, say veterans of 1986 reform

Developments since the 1986 Tax Reform Act was signed favor a successful outcome for the current reform effort, said two experts who worked for congressional committees producing the earlier legislation. But they also agreed that a tax reform bill probably won’t be enacted until next year. Don Longano and Mel

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Clean data faster using Excel’s REGEX functions

Excel’s REGEX functions provide a simpler, flexible solution to text-cleaning tasks, reducing the need to combine multiple functions when cleaning imported data. This JofA Technology Q&A article shows the way with step-by-step instructions and a video walkthrough.