Tax news and information - Journal of Accountancy

TOPICS

June 1, 2020

Line items

IRS disagrees with Paychex holding … OIC fee is higher, but with more low-income assistance … KPMG director is named national taxpayer advocate

June 1, 2020

Financial planning strategies for depressed asset values

Consider these financial planning strategies in a period of low interest rates and high volatility.

June 1, 2020

Look before you leap into a 529 plan

Circumspection is called for in funding students’ higher education.

May 28, 2020

E-filing of Form 1040-X coming this summer

The IRS announced that taxpayers will be able to electronically file Forms 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, later this summer.

May 27, 2020

Final regs. address reporting by tax-exempt organizations

The IRS finalized regulations permitting tax-exempt organizations other than Sec. 501(c)(3) orgs. to omit the names of substantial donors when filing Forms 990.

May 26, 2020

Premium tax credit unaffected by personal exemption decrease to zero

The IRS issued proposed regulations explaining how taxpayers who may qualify for the Sec 36B premium tax credit are affected by the temporary reduction of the personal exemption deduction under Sec. 151 to zero.

May 20, 2020

HSA contribution limits increase for 2021

The IRS issued its annual inflation-adjusted contribution limits for contributions to health savings accounts permitted to participants in high-deductible health plans. Most of the amounts increased slightly over the 2020 amounts.

May 18, 2020

IRS mobilizing 3,500 phone operators to answer stimulus questions

With many taxpayers still having problems using the Internal Revenue Service’s “Get My Payment” website, the IRS announced that it is mobilizing 3,500 telephone representatives to answer some of the most common questions about economic impact payments.

May 15, 2020

IRS explains how nonfilers can receive economic impact payments

Individuals not required to file a return can use a tool on the IRS website or file a special 2019 return.

May 15, 2020

Deducting home office expenses

Help tax clients fulfill exacting requirements.

May 15, 2020

New conflict-of-interest guidelines for tax services

AICPA rules are expanded to cover situations that arise in all tax services, not just federal tax services.

May 15, 2020

COVID-19 tax guidance for businesses

The IRS provided guidance on how businesses can take advantage of CARES Act tax provisions.

May 15, 2020

IRS grants relief for COVID-19 disruptions on tax residency

Time rules are eased for the substantial presence test for foreign citizens in the US and the foreign earned income exclusion for US citizens abroad.

May 15, 2020

IRS posts FAQs on paid COVID-19-related sick and family leave

Employer tax credits for small businesses are provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

May 13, 2020

Final regs. clarify when interest in corporation is stock vs. debt

The IRS has issued final regulations addressing when certain related-party interests in corporations should be treated as stock vs. debt.

May 13, 2020

Proposed rules govern deductions and reporting for restitution

The IRS issued regulations explaining the allowance of deductions for certain fines and penalties under Sec. 162(f) as amended by the law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

May 12, 2020

IRS allows midyear changes to health coverage, dependent care elections

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the IRS is allowing employers to permit their employees to change their health coverage elections or dependent care elections during the year and is extending the carryover period for health flexible spending arrangement (FSA) expenses.

May 8, 2020

Taxpayers must act soon for direct deposit of stimulus payments

The IRS announced that taxpayers for whom the Service does not have direct deposit information should go to its “Get My Payment” website and enter that information by noon on Wednesday, May 13, so they can receive their stimulus payments electronically.

May 8, 2020

Trusts and estates are permitted certain deductions

The IRS issued proposed regulations to clarify that certain deductions are allowed to an estate or nongrantor trust because they are not miscellaneous itemized deductions.

May 7, 2020