A Swiss court has prevented the handover of information on U.S. account holders to the IRS by the Julius Baer Group Ltd., a Swiss bank (A v. Federal Tax Administration, A-5390/2013 (Fed. Admin. Ct. 1/6/14)). The IRS requested information from the bank on its customers who are U.S. citizens based
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Tax
New procedures for reinstatement of tax-exempt status are introduced
Tax-exempt organizations that have had their tax-exempt status automatically revoked because they failed to file required annual returns for three consecutive years have new procedures for getting their exempt status reinstated, under guidance issued by the IRS on Thursday (Rev. Proc. 2014-11). Earlier guidance providing methods for reinstating exempt status
Tax Court allows discount of gift value for assumption of estate taxes
The Tax Court held that a gift’s fair market value (FMV) may be determined with reference to the recipient’s assumption of the potential Sec. 2035(b) estate tax liability, abandoning its precedent from McCord, 120 T.C. 358 (2003). Jean Steinberg, who was 89, entered into a binding agreement with her four
Proposed regulations change definition of R&D expenditures
The IRS recently provided guidance on the treatment under Sec. 174 of research and development (R&D) expenditures incurred in connection with the development of tangible property, including pilot models (REG-124148-05). The proposed regulations would, among other things, settle the question of whether the sale of a product resulting from otherwise
Duty of consistency thwarts inheritors’ basis step-up
The Tax Court held that the duty-of-consistency doctrine prevented two taxpayers from using fair market value (FMV) as the basis of inherited property where the estate had previously valued the property using the special valuation election of Sec. 2032A. The value of property included in a decedent’s estate is its
Engagement letters for the individual tax practitioner
Follow best practices in this crucial document for any tax engagement.
Are courts ready to protect more accountant-client communications?
Recent court decisions, especially those involving corporate tax reserve accrual workpapers, indicate that the judicial view of the accountant-client relationship is changing and that courts may be willing to provide greater protection for communications between accountants and their clients.
Internet Tax Freedom Act preempts Illinois click-through nexus law
The Supreme Court of Illinois held in October that the state’s click-through nexus law is expressly preempted by the federal Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA), P.L. 105-277, which prohibits states from imposing discriminatory taxes on electronic commerce. The Illinois law (35 Ill. Comp. Stat. 105/2) expanded the definition of retailers
Buckle up for tax season
For taxpayers and their CPA return preparers, now is the time to power their way through filing season, hopefully with a minimum of hassle. Plus: The JofA’s annual Quick Guide, a printable card that contains dollar thresholds, tax tables, standard amounts, credits, and deductions to keep at your fingertips during tax season.
Calculating the health care individual mandate penalty
The shared-responsibility payment by applicable individuals, better known as the “individual mandate” penalty for failure to have qualifying health insurance coverage, was at the heart of the litigation over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, P.L. 111-148 (PPACA), that culminated in the U.S. Supreme Court’s upholding the
Procedures for IRS rulings, technical advice, etc., updated for 2014
As 2013 drew to a close, the IRS was busy issuing annual updates to the revenue procedures that govern its operations and interactions with taxpayers. In particular, the IRS issued Rev. Procs. 2014-1 through 2014-6, all on Dec. 30, 2013. These include the list of “no ruling” areas in which
Top tax news developments in 2013
The past year featured a large number of tax developments, some of which got extensive coverage in the media, and many of which got less coverage but affect almost all taxpayers and practitioners. As we get ready to welcome a new year, here’s a look back at the most important
IRS announces automation of taxpayer resources, start of business filing season
The IRS announced on its website that, beginning in 2014, it will stop providing a number of taxpayer assistance services in person or over the phone and will shift those services online. The move is designed to free up IRS employees to help taxpayers deal with issues, such as identity
Senate confirms John Koskinen as IRS commissioner
The Senate on Friday voted 59–36 to confirm the nomination of John Koskinen to be the next IRS commissioner. Koskinen was nominated by President Barack Obama on Aug. 1. The previous commissioner, Douglas Shulman, stepped down in November 2012 at the end of his term. Since May 22, Daniel Werfel
Six more countries sign FATCA agreements with U.S.
The Treasury Department announced on Thursday that the United States has signed six more bilateral agreements to implement the reporting and withholding provisions of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), P.L. 111-147. The agreements with the Netherlands, Malta, Bermuda, Jersey, Guernsey, and the Isle of Man bring the number
Guidance issued on tax treatment of National Mortgage Settlement payments
The IRS issued guidance on the correct tax treatment of payments taxpayers receive under the National Mortgage Settlement when their house is foreclosed on (Rev. Rul. 2014-2). The National Mortgage Settlement is an agreement reached in 2012 between the U.S. government and the attorneys general of 49 states and the
IRS reveals start date for 2014 tax filing season
The IRS has finally announced an official start date for the 2014 filing season: It will start accepting returns on Jan. 31. This date is 10 days later than the originally planned starting date of Jan. 21. “The late January opening gives us enough time to get things right with
Notice answers many post-Windsor questions on cafeteria plans, FSAs
The IRS continues to consider the effects of the Supreme Court’s Windsor decision on federal tax law, and its most recent guidance deals with elections and reimbursements for cafeteria plans, health savings accounts (HSAs), and health, adoption, and dependent care flexible spending arrangements (FSAs) (Notice 2014-1). Windsor, 133 S. Ct.
Immediate year-end planning opportunity for existing CRTs
On Dec. 2, the Treasury Department issued final regulations addressing the 3.8% net investment income tax under Sec. 1411 (T.D. 9644). Regs. Sec. 1.1411-3 addresses estates and trusts, including charitable remainder trusts (CRTs). The final regulations include an additional accounting method to tax CRT distributions. Distributions of income from a
IRS releases rules for in-plan rollovers of Roth accounts
The IRS released rules in question and answer format for in-plan rollovers to designated Roth accounts in retirement plans (Notice 2013-74). The most significant part of the guidance concerns the mechanics of making an in-plan rollover of funds from Sec. 401(k), 403(b), or 457(b) governmental plans, which is now permitted
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