IRS practice & procedure

TOPICS / TAX

March 10, 2022

IRS direct-hiring 5,000 in service centers

The IRS will hold in-person and virtual “hiring events” this month to begin filling positions in three service centers.

March 10, 2022

The power of technology to change how CPAs think about value

A CPA technology expert shares what the future holds for client advisory services, how training should be tailored, and what she learned about her grandfather’s CPA practice.

March 10, 2022

New, lower Form 1099-K threshold prompts cautions, criticisms

The new, lower $600 reporting threshold for reporting credit card and cash payment app transactions will likely lead to problems for taxpayers and payment settlement entities, the Taxpayer Advocate Service warns.

March 7, 2022

IRS to fast-track 10,000 hirings to address backlog

Direct-hire authority will allow the Internal Revenue Service to more quickly reinforce its return processing and account management functions.

March 3, 2022

National taxpayer advocate to CPAs: Tell us where the challenges are

CPAs and other tax professionals can help the Taxpayer Advocate Service identify the most acute problems within the IRS.

February 22, 2022

IRS offers alternative to facial recognition

A short-term option involves a virtual interview with IRS personnel to authenticate taxpayers’ and practitioners’ identities for online services.

February 17, 2022

AICPA testifies to Congress on IRS service problems

In a hearing, the Senate Finance Committee heard recommendations from the AICPA’s Jan Lewis and National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins.

February 17, 2022

Tax pros are subject of ‘spearphishing’ attacks

Bogus emails may impersonate the IRS or tax software providers. Here’s what to watch out for.

February 16, 2022

IRS offers further K-2/K-3 relief

The new schedules for returns of passthrough entities with international items have been greeted with antipathy by practitioners. The IRS provided relief Wednesday for eligible entities for tax year 2021.

February 15, 2022

Revised voluntary disclosure form highlights cryptoassets

Full disclosure of violations, plus payment of taxes, penalties and interest may allow approved taxpayers to avoid criminal prosecution. The reporting form contains a new reporting section and instructions on virtual currency.

February 10, 2022

IRS service issues: What a coalition of tax pros seeks to change

Relief for underpayment or late-payment penalties is one recommendation that would help to mitigate IRS service issues, according to an AICPA-led coalition. Hear or read more in this podcast episode with transcript.

February 10, 2022

IRS identifies paused taxpayer notices

While it works through its return and correspondence backlog, the IRS will not send out certain letters and notices, including for delinquent returns and payments.

February 9, 2022

Tax pros share IRS service challenge stories, solutions

The Tax Professionals United for Taxpayer Relief Coalition held an online session to examine possibilities of its four recommendations for improved IRS assistance and taxpayer relief.

February 7, 2022

IRS backs away from facial recognition

The IRS scrapped plans to require individuals to authenticate their identities with facial-recognition technology to use certain online services after the plans prompted scrutiny, including from Congress.

February 4, 2022

AICPA calls IRS staff reassignments a ‘positive step,’ reiterates relief goals

The Service deploys an “inventory surge team” to tackle backlog while a coalition of tax professionals including the AICPA continues its call for specific relief measures.

February 1, 2022

Full disclosure: When tax transactions must be reported

A variety of ‘reportable transactions’ require transparency with the IRS.

January 31, 2022

‘Quick’ carryback tax refunds took nearly double the 90-day deadline

Over a period of 15 months in 2021 and late 2020, the IRS was consistently late in processing applications for carryback adjustment refunds, a US Government Accountability Office study finds.

January 27, 2022

AICPA notes IRS announcement on notices, asks Service to do more

The IRS said it will halt some notices to taxpayers, but the AICPA is asking it to do more to reduce erroneous automated notices and unnecessary taxpayer contact.

January 25, 2022

Taxpayers need relief now, AICPA and other organizations say

The AICPA and a coalition of organizations representing tax practitioners reiterated their call for taxpayer relief from penalties and other compliance actions, given ongoing Internal Revenue Service problems.

January 19, 2022

IRS issues procedures for employee status determinations

Prior guidance on Tax Court jurisdiction over IRS determinations of employee vs. independent contractor status is modified and superseded.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Flip out with the latest Tech Q&A

The September Technology Q&A column shows how to create dynamic to-do lists with Excel's checkboxes and also how to set up multifactor authentication texts that don't rely on phones. Flip through both items and view a video walkthrough in our digital format.