On Friday, the IRS issued proposed regulations governing the Sec. 45R credit for small employers that offer health insurance coverage for employees (REG-113792-13). The proposed rules incorporate the provisions of Notices 2010-44 and 2010-82 (which were issued to provide guidance for employers claiming the credit between its original 2010 effective
Tax
Tenth Circuit throws out decision striking down Colorado’s Amazon law
The permanent injunction that a federal district court issued in March 2012 enjoining Colorado from enforcing its Amazon law requiring remote sellers to report sales in the state has been dismissed by an appeals court. The Tenth Circuit held on Tuesday that the Tax Injunction Act (TIA, 28 U.S.C. §
Online FATCA registration system launched
The IRS on Monday announced the launch of an online system that foreign financial institutions (FFIs) can use to register with the agency to meet their obligations under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) (IR-2013-69 (8/19/13)). The system allows institutions that must register with the IRS to create an
Amounts on late-filed S corporation return were not disclosed on taxpayer’s return
For purposes of determining whether there had been a substantial understatement of gross income on a taxpayer’s return, the IRS Office of Chief Counsel determined that amounts on a Form 1120S, U.S. Income Tax Return for an S Corporation, filed after the three-year statute of limitation expired, were not considered
IRS issues draft FATCA report form
On Thursday, the IRS released a draft Form 8966, FATCA Report, which will be used by foreign financial institutions (FFIs) and withholding agents to comply with their FATCA reporting and withholding requirements. Under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), enacted as part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment
Revenue procedure provides liberal relief for late S corp. elections
On Wednesday, the IRS consolidated the provisions of a number of previous revenue procedures for requesting relief for late S elections under Sec. 1362, late qualified subchapter S trust (QSST) elections, late electing small business trust (ESBT) elections, late qualified subchapter S subsidiary (QSub) elections, and late corporate classification elections
Final rules issued on IRS disclosure of tax return information under health care law
The IRS issued final regulations about how it will release certain tax return information to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as required by 2010’s health care legislation (T.D. 9628). The final regulations, which will be effective Wednesday, describe certain items the IRS will disclose in addition to
Proposed rules reset limitation for pursuing equitable innocent spouse relief
On Monday, the IRS issued proposed regulations under Secs. 6015(f) and 66(c) changing the deadline for taxpayers to request innocent spouse relief from joint liability (REG-132251-11). The proposed rules generally adopt new time limitation rules announced in Notice 2011-70, and, as a result, the regulations are effective the date the
“Private attorney general” can deduct his lawyers’ fees as trade or business expenses
In a case of first impression, a federal district court held that a taxpayer who zealously and single-mindedly pursued False Claims Act lawsuits against his former employer was engaged in the trade or business of prosecuting those lawsuits and he could deduct legal expenses related to that trade or business
Aug. 30 IRS furlough day canceled
The IRS announced that it will remain open on Aug. 30, canceling a previously scheduled furlough day. However, in making the announcement, IRS Acting Commissioner Danny Werfel said that the Service is still evaluating whether it must take a furlough day in September. In April, the IRS announced that it
IRS releases draft net investment income tax form
On Wednesday, the IRS released a draft of Form 8960, Net Investment Income Tax—Individuals, Estates, and Trusts, a new dual-purpose form that will be used by individuals and trusts and estates to compute the new 3.8% tax and then to report the tax on Forms 1040, U.S. Individual Income Tax
IRS issues final rules on exceptions from REIT or RIC built-in-gain recognition
On Thursday, the IRS issued final regulations that provide guidance on the recognition of built-in gain in certain transfers of property from a C corporation to a regulated investment company (RIC) or real estate investment trust (REIT) (T.D. 9626). The final regulations adopt proposed regulations issued in April 2012 (REG-139991-08)
2013 tax software survey: Individual product survey responses
In this year’s survey by the JofA and The Tax Adviser, more than 5,000 CPAs assessed the software they used to prepare 2012 tax returns. The survey was conducted in May 2013. Overall, respondents rated their software an average of 4.1 out of 5. Users of three products, Lacerte, ProSystem
White House announces nominee for IRS commissioner
The White House announced on Thursday that President Barack Obama will nominate John Koskinen as the new IRS commissioner. In a statement, the president said, “John is an expert at turning around institutions in need of reform.” He added, “I am confident that John will do whatever it takes to
Supreme Court strikes down Defense of Marriage Act in estate tax case
The Supreme Court, in a 5–4 decision written by Justice Anthony Kennedy, ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), P.L. 104-199, is unconstitutional because it violates the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause by denying equal protection to same-sex couples who are lawfully married in their states (Windsor, No. 12-307
Recycling charitable dollars: IRS gives green light to more program-related investments
Private foundations lost more than 20% of their assets during the economic crisis, according to the Foundation Center (see Foundation Growth and Giving Estimates, available at tinyurl.com/2vhk93e). At the same time, the demand for charitable services—and foundation dollars to support those services—increased significantly. The combination of these dynamics prompted many
Supreme Court declines to hear Historic Boardwalk Hall; Virginia Historic Tax Credit Fund files new FPAA challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court on May 28 declined to hear an appeal of the Third Circuit’s decision denying historic structure rehabilitation credits for a state authority’s partnership with Pitney Bowes Inc. to redevelop the Atlantic City, N.J., Boardwalk Hall. Historic Boardwalk Hall LLC, with Pitney Bowes as investor member, funded
Supreme Court resolves circuit split on creditability of U.K. tax
In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court held that the United Kingdom’s windfall profits tax imposed on newly privatized businesses was creditable against U.S. taxes under Sec. 901 (PPL Corp., No.12-43 (U.S. 5/20/13)). In doing so, the Court reversed the Third Circuit’s decision (665 F.3d 60 (3d Cir. 2011))
CPAs and the trust fund recovery penalty
CPAs and other accounting professionals should take note of a recent federal district court decision imposing joint and several liability against outside accountants for failure to pay a distressed client’s employment withholding taxes. In Erwin, No. 1:06CV59 (M.D.N.C. 2/5/13), a federal district court rendered judgment pursuant to Sec. 6672 against
Loan guarantee terminates IRA
The Tax Court held that two taxpayers’ personal guarantees of a loan to a company whose stock was owned by their individual retirement accounts (IRAs) were indirect extensions of credit to the IRAs, a prohibited transaction. Thus, the IRAs ceased to qualify as IRAs at the beginning of the tax
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