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Prop. regs clarify basis reporting for debt, options

In late November, the IRS released proposed regulations (REG-102988-11) clarifying how debt instruments and options will be treated under the new securities basis information reporting regime of Sec. 6045. The IRS had previously addressed treatment of stock under the reporting requirement, which was instituted by the Energy Improvement and Extension

LLC member participation rules proposed

The IRS issued proposed regulations (REG-109369-10) that would redefine “interest in a limited partnership as a limited partner” for purposes of determining material participation under the Sec. 469 passive loss rules. Under Sec. 469(h)(2), losses from an interest in a limited partnership are presumptively treated as passive losses by providing

Guidance issued, form finalized for foreign asset reporting

The IRS issued temporary and proposed regulations (T.D. 9567; REG-130302-10) on the requirement that certain foreign financial assets be reported to the IRS for tax years beginning after March 18, 2010. Sec. 6038D requires individuals to report interests in “specified foreign financial assets” (SFFAs) when filing their federal income tax

Temporary regs change TIPS bond premium method

The IRS and Treasury issued proposed and temporary regulations (REG-130777-11; T.D. 9561) requiring the use of the coupon interest method to amortize a premium in excess of a de minimis amount related to Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS). The regulations apply to TIPS issued on or after April 8, 2011. TIPS

Taxation of abandonments, foreclosures and repossessions

Many taxpayers in the current economy have had trouble paying mortgages, car notes and other debts. Some are forced to abandon property, go through foreclosures or have property repossessed. While such measures may alleviate the financial burden on these taxpayers, the tax consequences often are overlooked. When property that secures

Tax planning for parents of college students

As parents plan for their children’s higher education, they may choose from an array of tax-favored savings vehicles and deductions and credits. Options include education savings plans, education credits, deduction of educational expenses, education savings bonds, education loans and other alternatives. No single option works best for everyone, but by

IRS regulations broaden disclosures of tax-exemption determinations

In response to the D.C. Circuit’s holding that the regulations the IRS had relied on to not disclose rulings denying or revoking organizations’ tax-exempt status violated the disclosure provisions of Sec. 6110 (Tax Analysts, 350 F.3d 100 (D.C. Cir. 2003)), the IRS has issued final regulations amending the earlier regulations

Correspondence audits need some work, tax community tells IRS

The IRS’ use of correspondence audits to resolve issues with tax returns has mushroomed over the past decade—but taxpayer satisfaction with the program is fairly low. According to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), only 48% of those surveyed by the IRS said they were either somewhat or

FinCEN postpones mandatory FBAR e-filing

The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced that it is postponing until July 1, 2013, its requirement that Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), be filed electronically. FinCEN notes that the delay in the e-filing requirement does not relieve anyone of the

Eighth Circuit affirms S corporation shareholder’s compensation was not reasonable

The Eighth Circuit affirmed the District Court for the Southern District of Iowa’s decision that an S corporation shareholder’s $24,000 salary was not reasonable compensation and that the $91,044 salary determined by the government’s expert witness was (David E. Watson, P.C., No. 11-1589 (8th Cir. 2/21/12)). At issue is a

President signs payroll tax cut extension bill; new Form 941 released

On Wednesday evening at the White House, President Barack Obama signed into law the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, H.R. 3630. On Thursday, the IRS released a revised Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, to reflect the extended payroll tax cut. The act extends

Supreme Court: Filing a false tax return can lead to deportation

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision Tuesday holding that a conviction under Sec. 7206 for willfully filing a false tax return (or for aiding and abetting filing a false tax return) is an aggravated felony that can result in deportation. Kawashima v. Holder, S. Ct. Dkt. No. 10-577 (U.S.

Budget proposal includes change to treatment of intentionally defective trusts

Among the various estate tax proposals in President Barack Obama’s recently released fiscal year 2013 revenue proposals is a new plan that could alter estate planning techniques and benefits with intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs); the assets in these trusts would be included in the estate of the grantor at

Congress passes payroll tax cut extension

On Friday, the House of Representatives and the Senate both passed a bill that will extend the reduced 4.2% Social Security tax rate through the end of the year (The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012, H.R. 3630). The vote was 293–132 in the House and

Portability election extended for some estates

Some executors who missed a deadline to apply a decedent’s unused estate and gift tax exclusion amount to a surviving spouse received an extension Friday. The IRS announced the extension in Notice 2012-21. It applies to estates of decedents dying in the first six months after provisions for “portability” of

FinCEN once again extends FBAR filing deadline for certain financial professionals

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) announced a further extension of the deadline for filing Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR), to June 30, 2013, for a small group of financial professionals (FinCEN Notice 2012-1). In 2011, FinCEN announced that three small groups of

IRS proposes PTIN regs. for supervised, nonsigning and non-1040 preparers

The IRS issued proposed regulations on Tuesday regarding the availability of preparer tax identification numbers (PTINs) for supervised nonsigning preparers and for preparers of forms other than Form 1040. They also address what tax forms are considered returns for purposes of the PTIN rules (REG-124791-11). The proposed regulations do not

Partnerships can issue Schedules K-1 electronically

The IRS issued Rev. Proc. 2012-17, which contains rules partnerships must follow if they want to supply Schedules K-1, Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., electronically. The guidance is effective Feb. 13, 2012. Failure to furnish the Schedule K-1 as required in Rev. Proc. 2012-17 can be deemed a

President’s budget proposes AMT elimination, tax reform

President Barack Obama unveiled his proposed budget for fiscal year 2013 on Monday. Included in its 256 pages are several tax reform proposals, including plans to eliminate the alternative minimum tax (AMT), to repeal LIFO, and to tax dividends of high-income taxpayers at ordinary income rates. The budget estimates that

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

4 ways solo practitioners can stand out

Five years ago, a grieving Angel Zhen started his own CPA firm with no clients and no revenue. Today, he has 300 clients, $600,000 in revenue and 12 weeks of annual vacation. In this JofA article, he shares how he set up his firm and how you could do the same.