IRS practice & procedure

TOPICS / TAX

June 1, 2023

Ninth Circuit reverses its earlier holding in Seaview Trading

Rehearing the case en banc, the court determines that an LLC’s faxed and subsequently mailed copy of its late return were not filings that started an adjustment limitation period.

June 1, 2023

Attorney’s racing activities fall short of the finish line

A taxpayer participated in auto races for personal enjoyment rather than to advertise his law practice, the Tax Court holds.

June 1, 2023

Qualified appraisal required for charitable contributions of cryptoassets

The exchange-reported value of digital assets does not substitute for the qualified appraisal required for a charitable contribution deduction; a reasonable-cause exception will not apply, the IRS Office of Chief Counsel advises.

May 24, 2023

AICPA backs bill to make it easier to file for tax extensions

The bill filed by Reps. Judy Chu and Mike Carey would streamline the extension-filing process for millions of Americans.

May 23, 2023

Supreme Court upholds exception to notice requirement for third-party summonses

In a unanimous decision, the Court held that the IRS does not have to notify third parties named in a summons when it seeks access to records held at institutions such as banks in aid of collection of a tax assessment.

May 17, 2023

HSA amounts continue trend, increase again in 2024

The 2024 amounts from the IRS mark at least the ninth annual increase in a row for maximum contributions.

May 16, 2023

IRS chief: Racial disparities in audits will be addressed within a year

In his response to a university study showing racial differences in audit rates, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel says in a letter to senators that the agency is investigating the cause of any discrepancies.

May 12, 2023

AICPA supports extending mailbox rule to electronic filing and payments

The Electronic Communication Uniformity Act, recently introduced in the Senate, would apply the timely mailing/timely filing rule to electronic tax return filings and payments. The AICPA has written to the sponsors of the bill expressing support.

May 11, 2023

IRS backlog lessens; agency plans to resume collection notices

The IRS said all returns received for tax year 2021 or earlier have been processed if the returns had no errors or did not require further review.

May 8, 2023

Black CPAs: IRS must end higher audit rates for Black taxpayers

Black CPAs react to study led by Stanford University showing the IRS is up to 4.7 times more likely to audit Black taxpayers than non-Black ones, saying the tax system must be fairer.

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.

May 1, 2023

Mortgage interest deduction denied

Employer-provided housing was not on the business’s premises, the Tax Court finds.

May 1, 2023

Tax Court denies medical exception for early pension distribution

The taxpayer’s diabetes did not prevent him from engaging in substantial gainful activity, the court holds.

May 1, 2023

Contractor’s housing accommodation is taxable

Employer-provided housing was not on the business’s premises, the Tax Court finds.

April 21, 2023

Werfel: IRS will audit individuals under $400K at 2018 rates

The new IRS commissioner tells the Senate Finance Committee the rate will be taken from the 2018 data because that’s the most recent year for which the IRS has final audit numbers.

April 13, 2023

IRS obsoletes 1958 revenue ruling on research and experimental costs

The ruling, which is being obsoleted as of July 31, allowed a taxpayer that used the expense method for research and experimental expenditures to deduct on an amended return research and experimental expenditures the taxpayer did not deduct in prior years.

April 13, 2023

AICPA encouraged by IRS $80 billion strategic operating plan

In a statement Wednesday, the AICPA said much of the IRS’s spending plan lines up with what the AICPA has requested but still recommends further improvements.

April 11, 2023

Proposed regs. identify microcaptive reportable transactions

The IRS has issued proposed regulations that identify certain microcaptive transactions as listed transactions and certain others as transactions of interest.

April 10, 2023

Safe-harbor language issued for amending conservation easement deeds

In response to a requirement in the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, the IRS issued a notice Monday that allows donors to amend conservation easement deeds to substitute the safe-harbor language for the corresponding language in the original deed.

April 10, 2023

Public can share ideas on IRS customer service this week

Six committees of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel — including the one focused on toll-free phone lines such as the Practitioner Priority Service line — meet to hear public suggestions for customer service days after the IRS released its plan for an $80 billion influx of money.

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.