IRS practice & procedure

TOPICS / TAX

March 24, 2020

IRS alters certain operations in effort to protect employees, taxpayers during outbreak

To protect taxpayers and its employees, the IRS is scaling back its operations during the coronavirus pandemic to focus on mission-critical activities. Here’s a look at what services are being affected.

March 23, 2020

Practitioners seek further clarity on tax filing, payment delay

Practitioners welcomed the IRS’s deferral of income tax returns and payments due April 15 for another 90 days but have many questions about related issues.

March 21, 2020

IRS provides guidance for April 15 filing delay

The IRS announced the postponement of the April 15 federal income tax filing deadline until July 15. Friday’s notice expands on earlier guidance that had only postponed tax payments but not the filing deadline.

March 20, 2020

Tax filing deadline moving to July 15, Treasury secretary announces

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that taxpayers will have until July 15 to file their tax returns, a change from the guidance announced by the IRS earlier.

March 18, 2020

AICPA expresses strong concern over lack of filing relief in coronavirus tax notice

The IRS delayed any tax payments due April 15 to July 15 without interest or penalties accruing. The relief does not extend any tax return filing deadlines.

March 17, 2020

Treasury secretary announces 90-day delay in tax payment deadline

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that individuals and businesses can delay their tax payments for 90 days due to the coronavirus pandemic.

March 12, 2020

Final regs. raise offer-in-compromise user fee

The IRS issued final regulations raising the offer-in-compromise user fee from $186 to $205, a 10% increase instead of the increase to $300 included in proposed regulations.

March 1, 2020

Why states need to enact MTC model statute in 2020

Campaign seeks to create a uniform state-by-state regime that aligns with changes to federal partnership audits.

February 18, 2020

No need to report some transactions in video game currency, IRS says

Gamers who, as part of a video game, transact in virtual currencies that do not leave the video game environment do not have to report the transactions on a tax return, the IRS made clear in a statement released on its website.

February 12, 2020

IRS proposes rules to update income tax withholding, revises Form W-4

The IRS proposed new regulations for withholding on individuals’ wages to reflect the statutory changes in the law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including the elimination of the personal exemption.

February 1, 2020

IRS offers to settle microcaptive insurance cases

Taxpayers offered the deal can reduce penalties.

January 16, 2020

More taxpayers qualify for student loan COD relief

The IRS is expanding its relief from cancellation-of-debt income to students whose federal loans were discharged for certain legal reasons.

January 1, 2020

Writing to win tax appeals

If taxpayers disagree with an IRS audit, they have 30 days to prepare an IRS protest. Find out how to win at IRS Appeals.

December 18, 2019

You might be a tax shelter if …

Does your business fall under the definition of a syndicate? Chris Hesse, chair of the AICPA’s Tax Executive Committee, reveals where the traps lie for business taxpayers and their CPA advisers.

November 26, 2019

Per-diem method clarified in light of TCJA changes

The IRS issued updated rules for substantiating the amount of ordinary and necessary business expenses paid or incurred while traveling using the per-diem rates.

November 14, 2019

IRS commissioner seeks to enhance taxpayer contacts, target enforcement

Speaking to the AICPA National Tax Conference in Washington, IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig discussed possible Internal Revenue Service restructuring, more-targeted enforcement efforts and IRS use of data analytics.

November 6, 2019

IRS posts 2020 inflation adjustments and tax tables

The IRS released the 2020 tax tables for individuals and estates and trusts, as well as the inflation adjustments for over 60 tax provisions for 2020 tax returns.

November 1, 2019

Preparer’s forgetting to hit ‘send’ doesn’t excuse clients’ late-filing penalties

Taxpayers’ reliance on a preparer to e-file their extension request is not reasonable cause, a district court holds.

November 1, 2019

Responsible person rules in the wake of Wayfair

As states impose sales tax collection obligations on more companies, individual taxpayers face a greater risk of personal liability if their organization fails to comply.

November 1, 2019

Taxpayers may revoke or make late bonus depreciation elections

Late elections or revocations made during the time prescribed in Rev. Proc. 2019-13 will be treated as automatic changes in method of accounting with a Sec. 481(a) adjustment.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Tax season quick guide

Get ready for tax season with the JofA’s annual filing season quick guide, an easy-to-use compilation of dollar thresholds, tax tables, standard amounts, credits, and deductions. Download and print for quick reference this tax season.