The Tax Court upholds a 2008 law’s retroactive application and denies a treaty exemption.
Individual income taxation
IRS releases 2017 health savings account limits
The IRS issued the inflation-adjusted figures for calendar year 2017 for the annual contribution limits for health savings accounts.
Taxpayers can now pay federal tax at participating retail stores
A new program allows individuals who owe federal income taxes to pay in cash at 7-Eleven stores in 34 states.
Damages awarded to taxpayers for IRS violation of bankruptcy stay
Sovereign immunity is not a protection, a bankruptcy court holds.
FBAR compliance
Heightened tax compliance efforts worldwide make this a good time to review the complicated rules that apply to reporting foreign accounts on FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, commonly known as FBAR.
$50,000 in tax debt can ground travelers
New law denies or revokes passports for “seriously delinquent” accounts over $50,000.
Form 1099-C and COD income: Key timing issues
Issuance of Form 1099-C does not necessarily require income inclusion in the same year.
15 things you need to know when clients owe taxes to the IRS
Clients who owe need advice and potentially an alternative to paying the entire balance at once.
President’s budget proposes many tax changes
In addition to a proposed spending blueprint for the government, President Barack Obama’s proposed FY 2017 federal budget contains a wide variety of tax law changes that would affect individuals and businesses.
How to report clients’ fantasy football winnings
There is little if any authority for the proper reporting on tax returns.
Congress extends expired tax provisions and makes some permanent
Some tax breaks are extended for two years, some for five, and a few are made permanent in Congress’s annual year-end extenders legislation. (Plus: An updated version of the JofA’s annual quick guide
PDF that includes changes related to the legislation.)
What CPAs need to know about new PPACA forms
This filing season, certain employers, as well as providers of minimum essential coverage, will have to meet significant information-reporting requirements.
Controversial charitable donation rules withdrawn
The IRS announced that it is withdrawing proposed regulations released last September that would have allowed charities to file information returns with the IRS and donors instead of providing contemporaneous written acknowledgments of charitable donations.
Filing season quick guide—tax year 2015
Download our annual quick guide, a PDF that contains dollar thresholds, tax tables, standard amounts, credits, and deductions to keep at your fingertips during tax season.
A day late, a dollar short
An otherwise “innocent spouse” could still be liable for penalties and interest.
Tax season launches
Despite another year of uncertainty about congressional passage of retroactive “extender” provisions, CPAs’ tax season can benefit from these tips and resources.
Standard mileage rates will go down in 2016
The IRS issued the standard mileage rates for business use of an automobile and for driving for medical or moving purposes for 2016.
Tax extender legislation introduced in Congress
The Consolidated Appropriations Act introduced in Congress on Wednesday would extend a large number of expired tax provisions.
Gain recognized from repossession of principal residence
The repossession of a taxpayer’s former principal residence more than one year after its sale triggered the recognition of previously excluded gain.
Proposed regulations provide more detailed rules governing innocent spouse relief
Among the changes are expanded rules on when the requesting spouse can be relieved of liability for penalties and interest.
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
AI risks CPAs should know
Are you ready for the AI revolution in accounting? This JofA Technology Q&A article explores the top risks CPAs face—from hallucinations to deepfakes—and ways to mitigate them.
