The AICPA Professional Ethics Executive Committee is releasing proposed changes to the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct. The proposals relate to convergence with international standards and to clarifying members’ ethical responsibilities related to allowable collaboration for CPE.
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NEWS
ERC claims on returns prepared by others raise questions for tax pros
The IRS Office of Professional Responsibility issued a bulletin that reviews the Circular 230 professional responsibilities that apply to claims for the employee retention credit.
Questions about software tracking and reporting for basis of digital assets
Tax practitioners have many questions about how to track and report the basis of digital assets, and no clear guidance exists. Here are tips from the AICPA Virtual Currency and Digital Assets Tax Task Force.
How to effectively onboard remote hires
Human resource experts and accounting firms offer ways to help remote hires connect with their team and their new employer’s culture.
Senate approves Danny Werfel as IRS commissioner
The Senate voted 54–42 on Thursday to approve Werfel, a former acting IRS commissioner who has served under both Democratic and Republican administrations.
Digital scanning of tax documents to expand, will add Form 1040 soon
The IRS announced that it will soon be able to scan paper Forms 1040 and 941 instead of inputting them by hand. The acting commissioner describes the expansion as “another milestone” in the agency’s transformation.
Economic optimism still low but improving; concerns about inflation remain
After hitting a historic low at the end of 2022, the outlook for the U.S. economy rebounded somewhat in February 2023, but inflation remains a concern, according to the first-quarter Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey released by AICPA & CIMA.
IRS clarifies required minimum distribution reporting
New guidance on required minimum distributions reporting provides relief for financial institutions that due to a change to the RMD start date rules made by the SECURE 2.0 Act, may have incorrectly provided RMD statements to IRA owners who turn 72 in 2023.
New standard provides risk-based approach to group audits
The AICPA Auditing Standards Board issues SAS No. 149 and SQMS No. 3. SAS No. 149 introduces the term “referred-to auditor” and revises the definition of component auditor.
Saving for college: The new 529-to-Roth IRA transfer rule
A provision in the SECURE 2.0 Act enables greater flexibility in saving for children’s education while also helping 529 plan beneficiaries to get a jump-start on retirement savings.
In-person IRS tax forums scheduled for first time since pandemic start
The three-day forums, last held in person in 2019, are designed specifically for CPAs and other tax professionals.
How to handle state unclaimed property notices
Find out the types of unclaimed property notices companies receive and best practices on handling them.
Lookback period extended for refunds related to pandemic postponements
In determining the beginning of the lookback period for refund claims for returns with due dates postponed by Notice 2021-21 or Notice 2020-23, the IRS will disregard the periods from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, and from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. This change will align the lookback periods with the postponed return filing due dates.
Supreme Court holds FBAR penalty is imposed per report, not per account
The Supreme Court held that the $10,000 maximum penalty for the nonwillful failure to file a compliant report applies on a per-report, not a per-account, basis.
District Court holds IRS owes tax preparers partial refund of PTIN fees
A district court held that the PTIN fees charged by the IRS from 2011 to 2017 were excessive and ordered the IRS to determine an appropriate partial refund of the fees.
FAF debuts enhanced access to online accounting standards
The Financial Accounting Foundation released its free, enhanced online access to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the GASB Governmental Accounting Research System.
Opportunity knocks for firms as ESG reporting, assurance levels rise
More large companies than ever are reporting ESG data and obtaining assurance, according to a global survey, prompting many U.S. audit firms to explore how to best position themselves for an increased role.
Taxpayers in disaster areas of 3 states have until Oct. 16 to file returns
Taxpayers in most of California and parts of Alabama and Georgia have had their tax filing and payment deadlines further extended to Oct. 16. The postponement covers a wide variety of returns and taxes.
First global sustainability standards approach the finish line
The International Sustainability Standards Board announces that IFRS S1 and IFRS S2 will be released in June and effective for some companies in 2024.
Final regs. expand company e-filing requirements
Final regulations require certain companies to e-file returns for tax years ending on or after Dec. 31, 2023, and lower the e-filing requirement threshold to 10 returns.
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