News
Almost 1,400 IRS employees receive layoff notices, adding to staff losses
November 10, 2025
The IRS sent layoff notices to almost 1,400 employees, adding to the losses at the agency where 25% of staff had left as of May, according to a court document filed earlier this week in a lawsuit brought by unions against the federal government.
Murphy, Blumenthal reject shutdown deal over health care
November 10, 2025
The longest shutdown in U.S. history is starting to wind down after a bloc of Senate Democrats joined Republicans on a deal to reopen the federal government, but Connecticut’s senators opposed the agreement because it made no guarantee to extend the policy at the heart of the shutdown fight: expiring health care subsidies.
DOL Walks Back Biden-Era Independent Contractor Rule: What Employers Need to Know
November 05, 2025
In a significant development for employers nationwide, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced it will not enforce the Biden-era 2024 Independent Contractor (IC) Rule. While the rule remains in effect for private litigation, this shift in federal enforcement policy signals a more employer-friendly approach to worker classification at the federal level.
Employers get reporting relief on tips, overtime; won’t face penalties for tax year 2025
November 05, 2025
An IRS notice said employers and other payers will not face penalties for tax year 2025 if they do not provide a separate accounting of amounts reasonably designated as cash tips or the total amount of qualified overtime compensation as required by information-reporting provisions in the sweeping new tax law.
Congress passes bill requiring IRS to clarify math error notices
October 23, 2025
The U.S. Senate on Monday passed the Internal Revenue Service Math and Taxpayer Help Act, H.R. 998, which, among other changes, requires the IRS to provide taxpayers with details on notices related to a math or clerical error.
IRS issues FAQs on Form 1099-K threshold under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill; dollar limit reverts to $20,000
October 23, 2025
The Internal Revenue Service today issued frequently asked questions in Fact Sheet 2025-08 PDF regarding the dollar threshold for filing Form 1099-K under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
IRS issues FAQs to address Employee Retention Credits under ERC compliance provisions of the One, Big, Beautiful Bill
October 23, 2025
The Internal Revenue Service today issued frequently asked questions in Fact Sheet 2025-07 relating to the limitation on credits and refunds for Employee Retention Credits claimed for the third and fourth quarters of 2021 that were filed after Jan. 31, 2024. This limitation was enacted under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
IRS limits services during shutdown
October 22, 2025
The Internal Revenue Service spelled out some of the services that will be limited or unavailable during the government shutdown that's now surpassed the three-week mark.
AICPA Seeks Safe Harbor for 2025 Reporting Requirements of Tips and Overtime
October 21, 2025
In a letter submitted to the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) requested guidance related to the 2025 reporting and substantiation requirements regarding the deductions for qualified tips and qualified overtime compensation.
What the IRS shutdown and furloughs mean for tax pros
October 21, 2025
As the federal government shutdown grinds on, most Internal Revenue Service operations are closed. With agency-wide furlough in place since Oct. 8 for everyone except already-identified excepted and exempted employees, tax professionals and taxpayers alike can expect a lot less from the agency.
STEM designation for accounting has strong support
October 20, 2025
The AICPA and state societies have pledged strong support for accounting education programs to gain STEM status, and the idea also has backing from the majority of respondents in a new survey.
IRS furloughs nearly half its workers, closes most operations
October 08, 2025
The IRS furloughed almost half its workforce as the government shutdown entered its second week, the agency said Wednesday evening in its updated contingency plan.
Social Security Administration head to also serve in new IRS role
October 07, 2025
Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano will also serve in the newly created position of chief executive officer of the IRS, the Treasury secretary said Monday in a news release.
Treasury, IRS provide penalty relief for remittance transfer providers who fail to deposit excise tax under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill
October 07, 2025
The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance providing deposit penalty relief for the first three quarters of 2026 to remittance transfer providers. Notice 2025-55 PDF provides relief in connection with the new excise tax imposed on certain remittance transfers under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill.
Connecticut’s $52.3 Million Federal Loss
October 06, 2025
Within hours of the federal government shutdown at midnight on Sept. 30, the Trump administration announced the cancellation of more than $7.5 billion in US Department of Energy awards, terminating 321 grants tied to 223 projects in 16 states.
Report: CT Manufacturers Profiting, But Healthcare Costs, Tariffs Are Concerns
October 06, 2025
While 70 percent of surveyed Connecticut manufacturers were profitable in 2024, nearly all saw the cost of business go up due to a variety of factors. Nearly two in three businesses though (66%) reported that the Trump administration’s tariff policies are negatively impacting them, according to a recent report issued by the state’s largest business organization.
AICPA Renews Call to Except All IRS Employees for Duration of Shutdown
October 03, 2025
With just two weeks until the tax filing deadline for C-corporations and individuals who requested a filing extension, the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) is renewing its call to except 100 percent of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees for the duration of the shutdown, even beyond the five days already authorized in the agency’s contingency plan.
Job cuts mean strong 2025 tax season may be hard to repeat, IRS watchdog warns
October 02, 2025
The 2025 tax filing season went smoothly with the IRS processing more tax returns than in the previous year and exceeding its level-of-service (LOS) goal set for answering phone calls, a government watchdog said in its review of the agency’s work.
Lamont Slams Congress On Government Shutdown, But Says CT Better Positioned Than Most States
October 01, 2025
The federal government shutdown that began just after midnight Wednesday morning could have wide-ranging and long-lasting effects on the state, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.
IRS shutdown plan: Employees stay on the job for first 5 workdays
September 29, 2025
All IRS staffers will work during the first five business days of a potential government shutdown, according to a lapsed appropriations contingency plan posted Monday.