Tax, accounting, auditing news - Journal of Accountancy

February 27, 2026

IRS should open Trump accounts for eligible children automatically, AICPA says

In a letter to the IRS and Treasury, the AICPA said enrolling children by default “would promote equitable access, reduce procedural barriers, and strengthen the intended reach of the program.”

February 26, 2026

AI early adopters pull ahead but face rising risk, global report finds

Most companies committed to AI tools believe they have a strategic advantage, but they also have more risks to consider.

February 26, 2026

COSO creates audit-ready guidance for governing generative AI

The Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission’s publication relies on its proven internal control framework to help companies manage AI-related risks.

February 26, 2026

GAO says tax pros helped shape IRS response to ERC issues

The report to Congress also recommends four ways for the IRS to close the chapter on the pandemic-era credit.

February 26, 2026

Auditing Standards Board proposes changes to attestation standards

An exposure draft approved by the AICPA board updates baseline standards and addresses sustainability and other emerging areas of assurance.

February 26, 2026

Actor Ryan Reynolds, Costco’s former CFO to headline 10th ENGAGE

Celebrating 10 years in Las Vegas, ENGAGE 2026 is set for June 8–11. The event begins with a high-profile keynote conversation.

February 25, 2026

What CPAs should know about Trump accounts

What are Sec. 530A Trump accounts, and how should CPAs advise families? This Q&A breaks down contributions, investment limits, and planning considerations practitioners need to understand.

February 23, 2026

Anticipated applicability date for future final RMD regs. announced

The IRS said it anticipates that the future final regulations on RMDs under Sec. 401(a)(9) will apply for the distribution calendar year that begins no earlier than six months after those regulations’ appearance in the Federal Register.

February 23, 2026

AI loses ground to pros as taxpayers rethink who should do their taxes

Taxpayers are shifting back toward human tax professionals, with trust in AI for filing slipping across every generation, survey shows.

February 20, 2026

AICPA seeks guidance on Sec. 174A(c) capitalization and amortization of R&E

Requested guidance can be provided through modifications to Rev. Proc. 2025-28 and/or other published guidance.

February 20, 2026

Can AI actually lead to a heavier workload?

More than 30% of corporate employees in a new survey said AI has increased their workload, nearly double the percentage of employees reporting a workload decrease.

February 19, 2026

Apprenticeship program participant aces CGMA case study exam

Financial analyst Caitlin Domina was one of three joint first honorees globally in the latest testing window for the CGMA Management Case Study Exam.

February 19, 2026

Average tax refund rises 11%; total filings decline

The average individual tax refund is up nearly 11% in the first 10 business days of the 2026 filing season, rising to $2,290 from $2,065 last year.

February 18, 2026

Corporate spending accelerating toward AI in 2026

CFOs and finance leaders in a Gartner survey signal increased spending on technology in the coming year, along with lower average pay raises for a third consecutive year.

February 11, 2026

Looking to land a CFO role? 2025 was a good year

The amount of turnover among CFO seats at big U.S. companies increased last year, along with company preference for promoting from within. An executive search firm’s annual report tracks the hiring trends.

February 9, 2026

IRS broadens Tax Pro Account for accounting firms and others

The update allows firms that serve larger numbers of taxpayers to manage centralized authorization file access, view client information, and streamline authorizations online.

February 9, 2026

AICPA urges Treasury, IRS to simplify Sec. 951 documentation rules

The AICPA told Treasury that Notice 2025 75’s “determine and document” requirement is “ambiguous and potentially onerous” and urges replacing it with a simple safe harbor or eliminating it.

February 9, 2026

Agentic AI is handling more finance work — but can CFOs trust it?

Accuracy concerns mean finance leaders still rely on their teams to validate AI outputs, even as agentic AI shows potential to free up more time for strategic work, according to a new report.

February 6, 2026

AICPA supports Accounting STEM Pursuit Act legislation

A bill introduced in the Senate would expand student awareness and access to educational opportunities in accounting via the technology portion of the science, technology, engineering, and math program.

February 6, 2026

Businesses urge Treasury to destroy BOI data and finalize exemption

Just over 100 business associations asked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to purge previously submitted beneficial ownership information records and quickly finalize a rule exempting U.S. companies from BOI reporting.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Want to thrive in an AI world? Power up your people skills

Learn how CPAs can strengthen their human relationships by developing their communication, curiosity, and self-awareness. Artificial intelligence can’t replicate these people skills.