IRS practice & procedure

TOPICS / TAX

November 18, 2022

Congressional report criticizes contractor used by IRS during pandemic

The statement says ID.me inflated the amount of work it could provide and the amount of federal dollars lost to pandemic fraud, the latter in an effort to increase demand for its services. In his response, the CEO says he would not use such a crisis to help his company.

November 17, 2022

For the IRS to-do list: Build trust with Congress, use clearer language with taxpayers

The IRS Advisory Council issued a report Wednesday that emphasized recurring themes such as the need for consistent and multiyear funding and the importance of effective communication with taxpayers.

November 14, 2022

One deadline approaches for over 9 million eligible for pandemic-era benefits

In October, the IRS said it would leave Free File open for an extra month, until Thursday, so eligible taxpayers can claim their share of several benefits including the 2021 recovery rebate credit, the child tax credit, and the earned income tax credit.

November 10, 2022

National taxpayer advocate: 2022 could be ‘Groundhog Day’ for IRS backlog

National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins writes on her blog that there’s little time left for the IRS to clear its backlog by end of 2022 as the IRS commissioner promised Congress earlier this year.

November 9, 2022

Tax conference takeaways: IRS service, corporate minimum tax, and more

Three CPAs who attended last week’s AICPA & CIMA National Tax Conference share items of note for tax practitioners from the event.

November 9, 2022

Plan approval program expands to Sec. 403(b) retirement plans

The IRS and Treasury will allow churches, public schools, and charities with Sec. 403(b) retirement plans use the same individually designed retirement plan determination letter program that qualified retirement plans use.

November 8, 2022

Practitioner Perspectives series to continue within IRS Appeals

The Practitioner Perspectives series will continue at the IRS Independent Office of Appeals as part of the office’s focus guide for fiscal year 2023. During the series, tax practitioners share insights and feedback with Appeals employees.

November 4, 2022

IRS seeks comments on several green energy tax credits

The IRS asks for comments by Dec. 3 on tax credits included in the Inflation Reduction Act, including the commercial clean vehicles provision.

November 3, 2022

IRS news, Roth conversion considerations, stopping elder financial abuse

Hear about one Inflation Reduction Act concern posed by a leading taxpayer advocate and catch up on recent JofA news and feature articles.

November 3, 2022

National taxpayer advocate has concerns about $400,000 audit promise

National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins expressed concern for voluntary compliance amid Treasury’s promise that increased IRS funding will not be used to audit people earning under $400,000. She spoke during a session at the annual AICPA & CIMA National Tax Conference.

November 1, 2022

Past commissioners set optimistic tone for next IRS commissioner in AICPA panel

Two former IRS commissioners addressed the agency’s issues at an AICPA panel and sounded a note of optimism for the future, based on new funding and pending technology improvements.

November 1, 2022

Collection Due Process case favors IRS

The Tax Court upholds the IRS’s denial of a taxpayer’s requests for first-time abatement of penalties, an installment agreement, and withdrawal of NFTL filings.

October 31, 2022

Growing tax gap shows need for better service, compliance, IRS says

The difference between taxes owed and taxes paid was $496 billion annually for tax years 2014 through 2016, and that figure is likely to grow, the IRS said.

October 28, 2022

IRS hires 4,000 customer service reps, plans to hire 1,000 more

The IRS announced that it has hired new customer service representatives, who will be trained to provide help to taxpayers in time for the 2023 tax season.

October 27, 2022

New process provided for anonymous reporting of ERC mills

In a move the AICPA supports, the IRS is providing a new way to make anonymous reports about third-party vendors promoting improper claims for the employee retention credit.

October 25, 2022

IRS initiates pilot program to thwart line-jumping on PPS calls

The IRS has begun a pilot program designed to thwart services that let callers jump ahead in the IRS Practitioner Priority Service phone queue.

October 21, 2022

Retirement account inflation adjustments issued for 2023

The IRS issued the retirement account inflation adjustments for 2023, including the maximum contribution amounts for 401(k) plans and IRAs.

October 20, 2022

Disaster area filing extensions apply to 2019, 2020 penalty relief

The IRS reminds taxpayers who live in certain areas covered by disaster declarations that the extra time they have to file also applies to filing returns to qualify for penalty relief for 2019 and 2020.

October 20, 2022

IRS annual inflation adjustments, negotiating a job offer, and a quiz

This quick-hitting episode covers recent news of interest, including IRS and Social Security Administration annual announcements, why the AICPA is requesting guidance from the IRS and Treasury, and advice for negotiating after you’ve received a job offer.

October 19, 2022