Child tax credit: New portal for opting out of advance payments
A new IRS online portal lets taxpayers unenroll from receiving advance payments of the 2021 child tax credit.
Individual income taxation
Supreme Court lets health care law stand
The US Supreme Court held that Texas and several other states lacked standing to sue over the constitutionality of the Sec. 5000A mandate that requires individuals to obtain minimum essential health coverage. The decision leaves the Affordable Care Act in place.
Online sign-up now available for advance child tax credit payments
The IRS opened an online site that allows taxpayers who are not required to file a 2019 or 2020 individual income tax return to sign up to receive advance child tax credit (advance CTC) payments, which will begin July 15.
IRS posts ARPA credit FAQs
The IRS has posted two sets of FAQs that explain changes to the child and dependent care credit and to the sick and family leave credits made by the American Rescue Plan Act.
Cattle farm with no cattle denied farming losses
The Tax Court holds that the activity was a hobby of the taxpayer despite his farming experience.
Compulsive gambler’s losses are substantiated using Cohan rule
The Tax Court estimates the taxpayer's losses exceeded his reported winnings.
President's budget contains many tax proposals
The proposed $6 trillion fiscal year 2022 budget unveiled by the Biden Administration includes a host of tax items, including proposals to raise the corporate tax rate, raise the top tax rate for high-income individuals, limit like-kind exchanges, and make permanent recent temporary changes to various tax credits.
How nonfilers can claim advance child tax credit payments
The IRS explained in a revenue procedure how individuals can claim advance child tax credit payments and stimulus payments if they are not required to file 2020 federal income tax returns.
Deduction denied for home donated as salvage
The Fourth Circuit affirms that, without recording a transfer of ownership, the owners' interest in the property was not severed.
2021 child tax credit, EITC, and premium tax credit limits updated
The IRS issued guidance on the amount of and limitations on the child tax credit, earned income tax credit, and premium tax credit available for taxpayers for the 2021 tax year as a result of changes to those provisions enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2.
Quiz: More deduction limitations for business meals and entertainment
Test your knowledge of the rules for deductibility for business-related food and beverages and/or entertainment and how much, if any, of a given expenditure can be claimed as an ordinary and necessary expense of conducting a trade or business under Sec. 162.
IRS explains new treatment of excess premium tax credits
The IRS said it would not require taxpayers who received excess advance premium tax credits for 2020 to file Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, after the American Rescue Plan Act retroactively exempted those amounts from being taxed.
IRS explains which meals qualify for temporary 100% expense deduction
The IRS issued guidance on the temporary rule that allows a 100% deduction for eligible restaurant meals in 2021 and 2022.
IRS to automatically issue refunds on tax-free unemployment benefits
To help taxpayers who might otherwise have been required to file amended income tax returns, the IRS announced that, beginning in May and continuing into the summer, it will automatically issue to eligible taxpayers refunds of income tax paid on 2020 unemployment benefits.
IRS provides details on April 15 postponement
The IRS issued a notice providing more details and clarification of its previously announced postponement of the April 15 tax deadline for individuals. The notice extends the date for making 2020 IRA contributions; however, it does not extend the date for estimated tax payments.
Amounts paid for personal protective equipment qualify for medical deduction
The IRS announced that purchases of personal protective equipment used to combat the COVID-19 pandemic qualify for the Sec. 213 medical expenses deduction to the extent they exceed 7.5% of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income and have not been compensated for by insurance or otherwise.
Why the tax filing extension does not help everyone
The extension to May 17 for individual tax filing and payment helped some but not all taxpayers. Hear more on the latest podcast episode, which includes a transcript.
IRS postpones April 15 deadline
The IRS announced that it is postponing the April 15 deadline for individual tax returns and payments. The postponement applies only to individual taxpayers. Formal guidance is expected in the near future.
House gives final approval to $1.9 trillion pandemic aid bill
The bill contains numerous tax provisions, including a $1,400 rebate for individuals. It also extends federal unemployment benefits and provides funds for small businesses, COVID-19 vaccination and testing, K-12 schools and colleges and universities, and state and local governments.
American Rescue Plan Act passes with many tax components
The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill that passed Congress contains many tax provisions, including changes to the child tax credit and many other credits, making certain unemployment benefits tax-free in 2020, and a $1,400 recovery rebate credit for many individuals.
