Starting this year, C corporations can claim a foreign-derived intangible income deduction of 37.5%.
Tax
Bonus depreciation now available for used property
Proposed regulations raise new considerations for applying bonus depreciation to acquisitions of used property.
Line items
Proposed rules issued for qualified opportunity funds … IRS announces 2019 retirement plan limits … OASDI wage base increases
Cryptocurrency gift strategies for not-for-profits
Not-for-profits should proceed carefully as they consider whether to accept gifts of virtual currency. And here’s how they should proceed if they do.
IRS issues updates on post-shutdown activities
The IRS posted guidance for the public explaining how it will be operating now that the shutdown has ended, to catch up on its backlog in audits, collections, tax return processing, and Tax Court cases.
Government shutdown ends in time for tax season
The partial shutdown of the federal government ended just in time to allow the full IRS workforce to return to work for the start of tax season.
Paid preparer’s checklist expands to include head-of-household, other tax credit questions
Practitioners should be aware of changes to the due-diligence requirements for returns that claim the earned income tax credit, the American opportunity tax credit, and/or the child tax credit.
Qualified business income deduction regs. and other guidance issued
The package includes final regulations, guidance on how to calculate W-2 wages, a safe-harbor rule for rental real estate businesses, and new proposed rules on the treatment of previously suspended losses.
What CPAs need to know about Sec. 199A guidance and SSTBs
One of the areas that accountants are most interested in regarding tax reform is Sec. 199A guidance — and, more specifically, how the deduction for qualified business income relates to a specified service trade or business. Tony Nitti, CPA, addresses some popular questions on that topic.
Some individual taxpayers get relief from underpayment penalty
The relief applies to individuals whose tax withheld and estimated tax payments equal at least 85% of the tax shown on their 2018 tax return.
Final regulations govern Sec. 965 transition tax
The IRS finalized proposed regulations issued last August on the new transition tax, which generally taxes the accumulated post-1986 deferred foreign income of a corporation.
Half of IRS employees to be recalled during tax season
The IRS issued an updated contingency plan outlining how it will function during tax season.
IRS announces Free File launch
The IRS announced that its Free File program, which provides free electronic filing options to moderate-income taxpayers, opened Jan. 11 and will operate through Oct. 15.
IRS sets start date for tax season, will issue refunds during government shutdown
The IRS announced Monday evening that tax season will start in late January and that it will issue refunds to taxpayers despite the partial shutdown of the federal government.
Relief for small business tax accounting methods
The cash method and other favorable rules are now more widely available with Tax Cuts and Jobs Act changes.
Meals continue to be deductible under IRS guidance
Advance guidance clarifies that the TCJA’s disallowance of deductions for entertainment, amusement, or recreation does not address business meals.
Line items
Personal exemption claims are deemed for health care provisions … Suspension of moving expense reimbursement exclusion is clarified
Taxpayer’s change to foreign tax deduction is ruled untimely
Extended limitation period of 10 years for refund claims applies only to foreign tax credit, Second Circuit affirms.
Church members’ donations to minister are denied gift treatment
Objective evidence indicates donors’ intent was to provide compensation, the Tax Court holds.
The IRS’s private debt collection program
Taxpayers who have been contacted by an IRS-contracted private debt collection agency may need professional representation to preserve their full array of repayment options.
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
Making the right choice when no one is watching
The true test of one’s character is the decision made when no one is looking over your shoulder. Learn how CPAs can uphold ethical standards and take actions that help limit liability risk.
