News
Tax complexity still costly despite OBBBA changes
August 27, 2025
Even though the One Big Beautiful Bill Act made substantial changes in the Tax Code, one area where that may not be seen so much is in terms of simplification, according to a new study.
IRS seeks to fill ‘critical vacancies’ as workforce declines 25%
August 25, 2025
The IRS, which has lost about 25% of its workforce this year, is moving to fill some jobs by various means, including asking employees who accepted deferred resignations if they want to stay on the job.
Will budget, staff cuts impede IRS modernization? Former commissioner weighs in
August 22, 2025
Former Commissioner Danny Werfel wouldn’t predict failure for the IRS in its bid to modernize technology with less money and fewer experienced workers while preparing systems for massive changes in the new tax law. But, without seeing a plan, he said he’s dubious the agency will be successful.
Treasury, IRS issue FAQs to address the accelerated termination of several energy provisions under OBBB
August 21, 2025
The Internal Revenue Service today issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) in Fact Sheet 2025-05 relating to the modification of sections 25C, 25D, 25E, 30C, 30D, 45L, 45W, and 179D under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB).
Calculating AI’s impact on CPAs: New study quantifies time savings
August 20, 2025
The prevailing narrative regarding the role that generative AI can play in the life of a CPA goes something like this: Emerging AI tools can take care of busy work, freeing professionals to spend more time on value-added pursuits for their clients.
IRS should be more transparent when communicating phone service metrics, report says
August 20, 2025
The IRS should be more transparent in communicating its telephone service metrics by including in the metrics more phone lines that taxpayers call and by covering the entire fiscal year and not just filing season, an agency watchdog said in a report.
Court strikes down ban on disclosing Maryland digital ad tax
August 15, 2025
A federal appeals court has ruled unconstitutional a provision of a Maryland digital advertising tax law that prevents companies from displaying the tax charge on a bill.
Tariff revenue jump fails to halt wider budget gap
August 13, 2025
U.S. tariff revenue reached a fresh monthly record in July, though the increase wasn't enough to prevent a widening in the monthly budget deficit — pointing to the federal government's continuing fiscal challenges.
Tax cut impact of OBBBA expected to vary across states
August 13, 2025
A new study from the Tax Foundation estimates that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will reduce federal taxes on average for individual taxpayers in every state, but the impact will differ in various states.
Protect against tax identity theft with multi-factor IDs, Identity Protection PINs, IRS Online Accounts
August 12, 2025
In the fourth installment of a special summer series, the Security Summit partners today remind tax professionals and taxpayers about the IRS Identity Protection PIN and the IRS Online Accounts that can help protect against tax-related identity theft. The IRS and Security Summit also remind tax professionals that using multi-factor authentication is a best practice and a federal requirement to protect clients’ sensitive information.
Billy Long out as IRS commissioner after less than two months
August 11, 2025
Billy Long ended his brief tenure as IRS commissioner Friday, posting on X that President Donald Trump will nominate him to be ambassador to Iceland.
Meet Yolanda Durant, IRS Stakeholder Liaison
August 11, 2025
There’s a new IRS Senior Stakeholder Liaison in town! (Well, new to CTCPA members, anyway.) Yolanda Durant has actually been with the Internal Revenue Service since 2012, with a resume that runs the gamut of responsibilities: Senior Individual Taxpayer Advisory Specialist, Tax Compliance Officer, Intake Advocate for the Taxpayer Advocate Department, Customer Service, and Collection Representative.
House passes One Big Beautiful Bill Act with its many tax changes
July 03, 2025
The House passed the Senate’s version of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, sending it to President Donald Trump for his signature. The bill extends many of the expiring provisions from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), P.L. 115-97. It also addresses other tax priorities of the Trump administration, including providing deductions to eliminate income taxes on certain tips and overtime pay.
Lessons from a CPA whose firm delivered a ‘textbook response’ to data breach
June 18, 2025
A click on a link in an email that could have brought down Catharine Drake Madeley’s CPA firm instead caused 40 clients whose tax information was exposed in a data breach to think of her and her staff even more as trusted advisers.
AICPA Continues Opposition to Proposed Limitations on PTET SALT Deductions, Provides Recommendations
May 30, 2025
Following its continued opposition to the severe limitations on the deductibility of state and local tax (SALT) for specified service trades or businesses (SSTBs) included in recent tax legislation passed by the House of Representatives, the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) sent a second letter to leadership of the Senate Finance and House Ways & Means Committees urging modifications to troubling tax proposals in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed by the House and being considered by the Senate.
Employee ownership and taxes: Why firms are choosing ESOPs
April 15, 2025
Employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) have gained popularity among accounting firms in response to some of the profession’s biggest trends — the influx of private equity (PE), the struggle to recruit and retain staff, and the need to fund partner retirements.
Top 20 firm CohnReznick executes the latest private-equity deal
February 28, 2025
According to a news release, CohnReznick will operate in an alternative practice structure following the closing of the transaction. CohnReznick LLP, a licensed CPA firm, will provide attest services, and CohnReznick Advisory LLC (which will not be a licensed CPA firm) will provide tax, advisory, and other nonattest services.
UPDATED: DRS Grants All Three of CTCPA's Requested Filing Extensions
February 22, 2025
We asked the DRS to extend three deadlines from March 15, 2025 to April 15, 2025. Based on the DRS Commissioner’s authority to extend, due to statutory limitations, he was only able to extend two of the dates to April 15, 2025 as requested: Form CT-PET, Connecticut Pass-Through Entity Tax Return and Form CT-1065/CT-1120SI, Connecticut Composite Income Tax Return.
Using AI for an R&D Study?
February 02, 2025
With the rising popularity of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and its potential for business transformation, there's a significant push for CPAs to leverage AI features to save time and boost profitability. While it's certainly feasible and beneficial to use AI for enhancing operational efficiency and automating routine tasks, claiming that AI can handle complex accounting and tax-related tasks, such as preparing a detailed study, is quite a stretch. Yet, I see numerous "pop-up" shops emerging, boldly asserting that AI can handle 80% or more of an R&D credit study.
Melancon leaves AICPA with a legacy of change
December 01, 2024
The transformative leader, who is retiring on Dec. 31, guided the organization and the profession for nearly three decades.