IRS practice & procedure

TOPICS / TAX

January 4, 2017

Guidance issued on de minimis safe harbor for information returns/payee statements

The IRS issued a notice that provides the requirements for a payee to make an election to not have the safe harbor for de minimis errors on information returns below certain amounts apply to a payer.

January 1, 2017

Abating IRS penalties

Follow these recommendations for reducing or eliminating common tax penalties.

January 1, 2017

Dealing with tax carryovers when a spouse dies

Proper allocation of tax carryovers is critical in the year one spouse dies.

January 1, 2017

Getting in shape for tax season

The annual marathon of forms, schedules, and worksheets is beginning once more. As CPAs and their staffs train and ready their equipment, they might add these reminders of what’s new and notable for 2016 returns.

December 5, 2016

Regulations implement new due-diligence requirements for tax return preparers

Recent legislation added these requirements, which previously applied only to the earned income tax credit.

December 1, 2016

New online tool allows taxpayers to check IRS account information

The IRS has launched an online tool that allows individual taxpayers to get their account balances online, including tax due, penalties, and interest.

November 30, 2016

IRS announces start of e-Services re-registration

As part of its latest efforts to prevent cybercrime, the IRS said it will begin sending letters to currently registered e-Services users asking them to re-register within 30 days of the date of the letter or risk being shut out of the system.

November 18, 2016

IRS extends due dates for PPACA forms and penalty relief

In response to concerns from employers, insurers, and other providers of minimum essential coverage, the IRS announced that it is extending the due dates for certain health care forms required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

November 15, 2016

No delays anticipated in 2017 tax filing season, IRS commissioner says

IRS Commissioner John Koskinen reassured tax practitioners attending the AICPA’s National Tax Conference that the 2017 tax filing season should start on time.

November 7, 2016

What you need to know to bring a nonfiler back into compliance

It can take months to get a nonfiler back into compliance with the IRS.

November 4, 2016

IRS warns tax professionals of another email phishing scam

The IRS issued an “urgent alert” to tax practitioners who use IRS e-services to beware of a fraudulent email asking them to update their accounts and directing them to a fake website.

November 3, 2016

Identity theft safeguards to expand for 2017

The IRS, state tax agencies, and industry partners announced expanded and improved tax return identity theft safeguards for the 2017 filing season.

November 1, 2016

New user fees proposed for IRS installment agreements

The fee for an online application with direct debit would be $31; for some application and payment methods, it would increase.

November 1, 2016

IRS issues guidance on ITIN renewals

Under new PATH Act provisions, the numbers expire after 3 years of nonuse.

October 25, 2016

IRS issues 2017 inflation adjustments for many tax provisions

The IRS issued its annual revenue procedure containing inflation-adjusted amounts for the 2017 tax year, affecting over 50 Code provisions, as well as the new tax rate tables for individuals and estates and trusts.

October 13, 2016

PTIN class action lawsuit affects all tax return preparers

A class action lawsuit currently pending in a federal district court includes in its class of plaintiffs all tax return preparers who obtained or renewed a PTIN after Sept. 30, 2010.

October 1, 2016

CPAs lukewarm to IRS hotline

Despite shorter average wait times this year, using the Practitioner Priority Service can still be an ordeal, surveys suggest.

September 26, 2016

Private collection agencies to start collecting tax debts in the spring

Under legislation enacted last year, the IRS is required to use private debt collection agencies to collect outstanding inactive tax liabilities.

September 23, 2016

New IRS e-Services authentication process requires re-registration

The IRS announced that beginning in late October all e-services users will be subject to a strengthened identity protection process, which, for existing users, requires re-registering.

September 22, 2016

Tax scammers send fake CP2000s, IRS warns

The IRS issued an alert to taxpayers not to respond to the latest tax fraud scheme, an emailed CP2000 notice claiming to be related to an Affordable Care Act tax underpayment.

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.