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Tax Court allows ordinary deduction of termination fees

Rights and obligations of an agreement pursuant to which the taxpayer paid a “break fee” terminating a proposed merger were in the nature of services, the court held, denying the IRS’s recharacterization of the fee under Sec. 1234A as a capital loss.

From childhood tax surprise to CPA: A profession leader’s journey

Oscar Vives, who will speak at the AICPA’s National Tax Conference on retirement strategies, says the experience of growing up with a single mother who worked multiple blue-collar jobs strengthened his resolve to use his math skills and help his family.

Social Security wage base and COLA announced for 2026

Individual taxable earnings of up to $184,500 annually will be subject to Social Security tax in 2026, the Social Security Administration said. The SSA also announced a cost-of-living adjustment of 2.8% for both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for next year.

IRS furloughs nearly half its workers, closes most operations

Under an updated contingency plan, nearly 40,000 of the approximately 74,000 IRS workers will stay on the job, including more than 24,000 in Taxpayer Services. In response to the plan, the AICPA recommended “fair, reasonable, and practical relief measures to mitigate the negative impact of the shutdown” on taxpayers and practitioners.

SPONSORED REPORT

Preparing clients for new provisions next tax season

As the 2025 filing season approaches, H.R. 1 introduces significant tax reforms that CPAs must be prepared to navigate. These legislative changes represent some of the most comprehensive tax updates in recent years, affecting both individual and corporate taxpayers. This report provides in-depth analysis and guidance on H.R. 1.