Congress acted at the end of its lame-duck session to retroactively extend a host of expired tax provisions affecting the 2015 filing season.
Advertisement
TOPICS / TAX
Business tax
Affiliated group with QPSC allowed graduated tax rates
Regulations do not support the IRS’s “two baskets” approach of separating qualified personal service corporation income, the Tax Court holds.
Merged corporations can offset tax interest
The surviving corporation and acquired corporations in a merger are considered the same taxpayer for purposes of interest offsetting.
Proposed rules would govern Sec. 41 credit for software
The IRS issued proposed rules to provide guidance on what types of internal-use software qualify for the Sec. 41 research credit, an area of considerable controversy over the years.
Getting into the swing of tax season
The 2015 tax filing season could be delayed and features several new health carerelated provisions for 2014 returns. Plus: The JofA’s annual Quick Guide, a printable card that contains dollar thresholds, tax tables, standard amounts, credits, and deductions to keep at your fingertips during tax season.
IRS: Tax season to start on time
The IRS announced that it will begin accepting e-filed and paper tax returns on time this filing season. The late passage of tax extender legislation had threatened to delay the start of tax season.
AICPA: Repair regulations’ de minimis safe harbor is set too low
The Institute asks the IRS for an increase in the threshold.
Notice defines terms for economic substance doctrine
“Similar rule of law” is limited to the same factors and analysis as under the codified economic substance doctrine for an accuracy-related penalty.
Regulations tightening Form 5472 filing requirements are finalized
The IRS finalized proposed regulations issued last June requiring corporations to file Form 5472 with their timely filed tax returns or pay a large penalty.
Transfers of installment obligations would trigger gain or loss under proposed rules
The IRS issued proposed regulations that govern the tax treatment of transfers of installment obligations in exchange for equity interests in corporations or partnerships.
President signs tax extenders into law
President Barack Obama signed into law the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, which retroactively extends more than 50 expired tax provisions through 2014.
Congress passes tax extender legislation
Included in the extended provisions are the research and development credit, bonus depreciation and higher limits under Sec. 179. The bill now goes to the president for his signature.
Standard mileage rates will change slightly in 2015
The IRS issued the standard mileage rates for business use of an automobile, and for driving for medical or moving purposes, for 2015.
Final regs. include safe harbor for local lodging costs
Employer-required lodging expenses may now be deductible as an employee business expense or, if paid or reimbursed by the employer, excluded under an accountable plan, even if the employee is not away from home.
Regulations finalize rules on all-cash D reorganizations
On Monday, the IRS finalized temporary regulations regarding the determination of the basis of stock or securities in all-cash D reorganizations where no stock or securities of the issuing corporation is issued and distributed in the transaction (T.D. 9702). The regulations clarify that in these transactions, only a shareholder that
Final rules determine how E&P is treated in corporate reorganizations
New rules under Sec. 381 will change which corporation succeeds to the tax attributes, including the earnings and profits (E&P), of the transferor or distributor corporation in certain acquisitions. T.D. 9700, issued on Friday by the IRS, also finalizes other related proposed regulations under Sec. 312 clarifying that, in certain
Research and experimentation expenditures clarified
With enhanced definitions and numerous additional examples, final regulations issued in July (T.D. 9680) clarify research and experimentation (R&E) expenditures under Sec. 174 that may be deducted currently or capitalized and amortized. Under the final regulations, the ultimate success, failure, sale, or use of a product is not relevant to a determination
Guidance issued on markdown allowances and margin protection payments
Final rules clarify retailers’ treatment of vendor discounts in inventory valuation. Final regulations restate and clarify retailers’ computation of ending inventory value, including the application of common vendor discounts. The amendments to Regs. Sec. 1.471-8 are intended to render that section’s provisions in plainer language and provide rules for how
Proposed rules would change partners’ treatment of unrealized receivables and inventory items
On Friday, the IRS issued proposed regulations under Sec. 751 that would amend the rules governing how a partner measures its interest in a partnership’s unrealized receivables and inventory items and the tax consequences of a distribution to a partner reducing that interest (REG-151416-06). Sec. 751 was enacted to prevent
AICPA asks for raise in repair regulations’ de minimis safe harbor threshold
Jeffery Porter, CPA, chair of the AICPA’s Tax Executive Committee, wrote to Andrew Keyso, IRS associate chief counsel, on Wednesday, raising the AICPA’s concerns about the low amount of the de minimis safe harbor threshold in the tangible property regulations (T.D. 9636) that were issued in September 2013, and about
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
How a CPA beat burnout after strokes, depression
Randy Crabtree, CPA, suffered two strokes in four days and struggled with his mental health for years before he learned to recognize, address, and prevent chronic stress. Learn from his insights on how CPAs can avoid professional burnout.
From The Tax Adviser
December 31, 2025
Practical tax advice for businesses as a result of the OBBBA
November 30, 2025
Digital asset transactions: Broker reporting, amount realized, and basis
October 31, 2025
