Two Washington‑based AICPA tax leaders break down a recent GAO report and proposed bipartisan legislation that would reshape rules on tax preparation. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.
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Tax
IRS proposes regulations for Trump accounts, pilot program
Proposed regulations under Sec. 530A provide information on how to open initial Trump accounts, and proposed regulations under Sec. 6434 provide guidance on the program that provides $1,000 contributions to Trump accounts for eligible children.
IRS seeks to scrap basis‑shifting TOI reporting regulations
If proposed regulations become final, the withdrawal would let taxpayers treat the January 2025 transaction-of-interest regulations as having never taken effect.
IRS Dirty Dozen adds new capital gains scheme for 2026
The IRS says a surge in fabricated Form 2439 filings prompted the only new addition to this year’s Dirty Dozen, underscoring how quickly tax schemes evolve.
IRS proposal eases provision of 1099-DA statements by digital asset brokers
The proposed regulations would shift digital-asset reporting toward electronic-only delivery by loosening consent requirements for brokers.
IRS issues higher 2026 depreciation limits for passenger automobiles
The IRS issued the 2026 depreciation limitations for passenger vehicles, including those for which bonus depreciation is applied.
New Schedule 1-A for tips, OT, car loans, and senior deductions published
The Schedule 1-A does not differ from the draft version issued last year, but instructions for Form 1040 provide details and examples on the four temporary deductions.
Senate bill targets preparers who break the law, expands IRS reforms
The AICPA supports the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act but seeks further improvements.
District court dismisses taxpayer’s refund claim
The court held that it lacked subject-matter jurisdiction over a taxpayer’s refund claim that did not meet the full-payment rule set forth in Flora, 357 U.S. 63 (1958).
Nondeductible W-2 wages not included in Sec. 199A deduction computation
The Tax Court determined that W-2 wages that are not deductible under Sec. 280E in calculating taxable income are not included when calculating the Sec. 199A qualified business income (QBI) deduction.
Court determines taxpayer lacked profit motive
The Tax Court applied the hobby loss rules under Sec. 183 to disallow losses from a taxpayer’s ranch.
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Click the headlines for these full stories. PTEs need more notice of changes, more time to respond, AICPA says In a letter to Treasury and the IRS, the AICPA seeks changes to tax reporting requirements for passthrough entities. IRS outlines details for Trump accounts The IRS issued a notice on the accounts, a
IRS should open Trump accounts for eligible children automatically, AICPA says
In a letter to the IRS and Treasury, the AICPA said enrolling children by default “would promote equitable access, reduce procedural barriers, and strengthen the intended reach of the program.”
GAO says tax pros helped shape IRS response to ERC issues
The report to Congress also recommends four ways for the IRS to close the chapter on the pandemic-era credit.
Anticipated applicability date for future final RMD regs. announced
The IRS said it anticipates that the future final regulations on RMDs under Sec. 401(a)(9) will apply for the distribution calendar year that begins no earlier than six months after those regulations’ appearance in the Federal Register.
AI loses ground to pros as taxpayers rethink who should do their taxes
Taxpayers are shifting back toward human tax professionals, with trust in AI for filing slipping across every generation, survey shows.
AICPA seeks guidance on Sec. 174A(c) capitalization and amortization of R&E
Requested guidance can be provided through modifications to Rev. Proc. 2025-28 and/or other published guidance.
Average tax refund rises 11%; total filings decline
The average individual tax refund is up nearly 11% in the first 10 business days of the 2026 filing season, rising to $2,290 from $2,065 last year.
IRS broadens Tax Pro Account for accounting firms and others
The update allows firms that serve larger numbers of taxpayers to manage centralized authorization file access, view client information, and streamline authorizations online.
AICPA urges Treasury, IRS to simplify Sec. 951 documentation rules
The AICPA told Treasury that Notice 2025 75’s “determine and document” requirement is “ambiguous and potentially onerous” and urges replacing it with a simple safe harbor or eliminating it.
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