COVID-19 news and information for CPAs

TOPICS

July 26, 2023

Final regs. allow assessment of COVID-19 related tax credit refunds

The IRS issues final regulations that allow for the assessment of erroneous refunds of COVID-19 related paid sick leave, family leave, and employee retention credits.

June 23, 2023

COVID-19 coverage without a deductible ends next year

A high-deductible health plan will no longer be permitted to provide coverage without a deductible for testing for and treatment of COVID-19 after Dec. 31, 2024.

June 1, 2023

A pandemic-era tax break that remains rife with abuse — the ERC

The IRS issues at least its seventh warning about the employee retention credit since October 2022.

May 1, 2023

IRS returns to in-person public hearings; telephone still an option

With COVID-19 no longer considered a national emergency, the IRS will return to public hearings for proposed regulations published in the Federal Register beginning in May while keeping telephone access as an option.

March 30, 2023

How remote work affected early-career auditors

A new study delves into both the negative impacts and upsides of remote working on the learning and professional development of early-career auditors.

March 13, 2023

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.

March 3, 2023

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.

March 1, 2023

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.

February 9, 2023

IRS seeks information on 21 states regarding special payments, refunds

The national taxpayer advocate criticized the IRS for delaying the release of guidance on state special tax payments or refunds made in 2022 that she said could affect tens of millions of taxpayers.

January 26, 2023

Innovative CPA firm leader: ‘We never had a fear of trying’

The co-founder of a leading CPA firm explains why Monday is his favorite day of the week, how his firm got out of the “rat race” of hourly billing, and how it has adapted after a merger in this podcast episode with transcript.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

4 ways solo practitioners can stand out

Five years ago, a grieving Angel Zhen started his own CPA firm with no clients and no revenue. Today, he has 300 clients, $600,000 in revenue and 12 weeks of annual vacation. In this JofA article, he shares how he set up his firm and how you could do the same.