Tax news and information - Journal of Accountancy

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October 26, 2020

Inflation-adjusted income ranges for 2021 IRA and 401(k) plans

The IRS announced that the income ranges for employee participation in workplace 401(k) plans and IRA contributions will increase from 2020 to 2021. Most of the other retirement plan contribution limits stayed the same, however.

October 22, 2020

Draft instructions for partnership capital account reporting released

The IRS released draft instructions for Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income, to calculate partner capital accounts using the tax-basis method.

October 19, 2020

Unclaimed property distributions allowed as self-certified rollovers

The IRS issued guidance adding state unclaimed property fund distributions to the list of reasons that taxpayers may self-certify that they missed the 60-day deadline to roll over funds to a qualified retirement plan.

October 19, 2020

FBAR deadline extended to Oct. 31 after confusion

After a misworded posting caused confusion about the 2020 deadline to file FBARs (i.e., FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR)), Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has extended the deadline to Oct. 31.

October 16, 2020

Inflation-adjusted limit for 2021 HRAs issued

The IRS issued the 2021 limit for excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements using the Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers inflation-adjustment method.

October 15, 2020

FinCEN pulls announcement of extended FBAR deadline

Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network briefly announced, but then rescinded, an extension of this year’s deadline to e-file FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR).

October 14, 2020

2021 Social Security wage base announced

The Social Security Administration announced that the maximum amount of wages subject to the old age, survivors, and disability insurance tax will increase to $142,800 in 2021 from $137,700 in 2020.

October 13, 2020

Consolidated group NOL rules are finalized

The IRS finalized regulations governing the treatment of net operating losses by consolidated groups after recent legislation changed the rules.

October 12, 2020

Several states provide one-month filing relief for corporate deadlines

With the Oct. 15 corporate tax filing deadline looming and the global pandemic still affecting taxpayers and practitioners, several states have provided one-month filing relief for their corporate Oct. 15 deadlines.

October 8, 2020

Rules govern withholding on transfers of partnership interests and ECI

The IRS finalized proposed regulations on withholding from transfers of partnership interests to foreign persons and the definition of effectively connected income for those purposes.

October 7, 2020

With Oct. 15 looming, some practitioners face daunting challenges

Tax practitioners have expressed concerns that they will not be able to meet upcoming Oct. 15 tax filing deadline for a variety of reasons related to the global pandemic.

October 6, 2020

Nonfilers have until Nov. 21 to apply for economic impact payment

The IRS announced that it was extending the deadline from Oct. 15 to Nov. 21 at midnight for certain individuals to enter their information on the Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here tool on the IRS website to receive the $1,200 stimulus payment due to individual taxpayers.

October 5, 2020

Health coverage reporting deadline extended

The IRS extended the due date for furnishing Form 1095-B and 1095-C health care coverage information returns to individuals from Jan. 31, 2021, to March 2, 2021. The date for filing them with IRS has not been extended.

October 2, 2020

ABLE account final rules provide wide-ranging guidance

Eligible individuals with disabilities received guidance from the IRS on the rules regarding ABLE accounts. Tax-favored ABLE accounts allow eligible individuals to save money to meet qualified disability expenses.

October 1, 2020

IRS releases final rules on business meals and entertainment

The IRS finalized rules implementing provisions of the law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, P.L. 115-97, disallowing deductions for most business entertainment expenses and distinguishing them from business food and beverage expenses that remain deductible.

October 1, 2020

Employers get guidance on income tax withholding from wages

The IRS issued final regulations providing guidance on withholding federal income tax from employees’ wages under changes enacted in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

October 1, 2020

Settlement agreement’s capital gain allocation withstands challenge by IRS

The Tax Court finds a payment was for repudiated joint venture interests, not future income.

October 1, 2020

Taxpayer advocate reports on IRS COVID-19 challenges

National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins assesses the IRS’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

October 1, 2020

Individual mandate payment is a priority debt in bankruptcy

A bankruptcy court applies the Supreme Court holding that the payment is a tax, not a penalty.

October 1, 2020

Tax consequences of data breaches and identity theft

Losses are not likely deductible by individuals through 2025, but the receipt of free identity protection services may be nontaxable.

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