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Information-reporting penalty safe harbor finalized

December 18, 2023

The IRS issued final regulations on Monday that provide a de minimis safe harbor from the penalties for failure to file correct information returns under Sec. 6721 and failure to furnish correct payee statements under Sec. 6722 (T.D. 9984).

  • federal tax

IRS issues standard mileage rates for 2024; mileage rate increases to 67 cents a mile, up 1.5 cents from 2023

December 14, 2023

The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2024 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

  • business and industry
  • personal financial planning
  • practice management
  • federal tax

IRS restructures leadership

December 13, 2023

The Internal Revenue Service has reorganized its leadership structure at the top, with a single deputy IRS commissioner instead of two, and four chief executives to lead taxpayer service, compliance, information technology and operations.

  • federal tax

IRS Independent Office of Appeals releases fiscal year 2024 priorities; focus on improving taxpayer service

December 08, 2023

The Internal Revenue Service's Independent Office of Appeals today released its Focus GuidePDF for fiscal year 2024. The guide highlights where Appeals will be improving taxpayer service in its mission to resolve tax disputes in a fair and impartial manner without the need for litigation.

  • federal tax

IRS: 2024 Flexible Spending Arrangement contribution limit rises by $150

December 08, 2023

During open enrollment season for Flexible Spending Arrangements (FSAs), the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers that they may be eligible to use tax-free dollars to pay medical expenses not covered by other health plans through their FSA.

  • personal financial planning
  • federal tax

IRS expands work on aggressive Employee Retention Credit claims; 20,000 disallowance letters being mailed, more action and voluntary disclosure program coming

December 06, 2023

As part of continuing efforts to combat dubious Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims, the Internal Revenue Service is sending an initial round of more than 20,000 letters to taxpayers notifying them of disallowed ERC claims. IRS is disallowing claims to entities that did not exist or did not have paid employees during the period of eligibility to prevent improper ERC payments from being made to ineligible entities.

  • coronavirus
  • practice management
  • federal tax

End-of-year financial and tax considerations

December 01, 2023

As the year draws to a close, practitioners have an opportunity to reach out to clients and discuss possible financial steps. The following highlights some of the more important year-end considerations.

  • personal financial planning
  • state tax
  • federal tax

IRS surveys tax professionals to help it improve services

November 27, 2023

The IRS is conducting a phone survey to help it improve services to tax professionals and their clients.

  • federal tax

IRS, Security Summit partners launch 2023 National Tax Security Awareness Week focusing on holiday scams, protecting personal information as tax season nears

November 27, 2023

On Cyber Monday, the Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry – working together as the Security Summit – kicked-off the 8th National Tax Security Awareness Week with tips for taxpayers and tax professionals to avoid scams and protect sensitive personal information.

  • personal financial planning
  • federal tax

IRS announces delay in Form 1099-K reporting threshold for third party platform payments in 2023; plans for a threshold of $5,000 for 2024 to phase in implementation

November 21, 2023

Following feedback from taxpayers, tax professionals and payment processors and to reduce taxpayer confusion, the Internal Revenue Service today released Notice 2023-74PDF announcing a delay of the new $600 Form 1099-K reporting threshold for third party settlement organizations for calendar year 2023.

  • federal tax

Art of Accounting: Looking forward to the next 10 years

November 20, 2023

My first thought for a 10th anniversary column was to describe the changes in the last 10 years. A second reaction was to recall my greatest columns. I then realized that looking back or even at the present were exercises in vanity and would not provide any takeaways. To be successful you need to look to the future and be anxious to adopt the changes that are quickly occurring.

  • accounting and auditing
  • practice management
  • federal tax

Proposed crypto regs. define ‘broker' too broadly, industry says

November 15, 2023

The IRS definition of "broker" in its proposed regulations for digital asset reporting under Sec. 6045 (REG-122793-19) stretches the statutory definition "beyond the breaking point" and adds to security and privacy concerns, crypto industry advocates told the IRS in a public hearing.

  • technology and cybersecurity
  • federal tax

AICPA approves revised tax standards

November 13, 2023

The American Institute of CPAs is rolling out some changes in its tax standards that will take effect in January.

  • federal tax

IRS destruction of paper returns had little impact

November 13, 2023

The Internal Revenue Service's decision to destroy around 30 million unprocessed paper information returns to reduce its backlog during the pandemic probably had little effect on taxpayers, according to a new report.

  • federal tax

IRS highlights International Fraud Awareness Week; taxpayers urged to protect against scams, schemes

November 13, 2023

As part of ongoing efforts to protect taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service reminds people that International Fraud Awareness Week serves as an important time to protect personal and financial information from scam artists and tax schemes.

  • federal tax

Tax season rapidly approaching: Get ready now to file 2023 federal income tax returns in early 2024

November 13, 2023

With the nation's tax season rapidly approaching, the Internal Revenue Service reminds taxpayers there are important steps they can take now to help "get ready" to file their 2023 federal tax return.

  • federal tax

The ERC nightmare (podcast)

November 06, 2023

Lots of businesses have claimed the Employee Retention Credit who don't actually qualify for it — and in many cases it's going to be up to their accountants to set them right. Randy Crabtree of Tri-Merit Tax Specialty Tax Professionals and the Unique CPA podcast dives into how you can know if a client qualifies, as well as the intricacies of some other major tax credits.

  • practice management
  • federal tax

IRS extends time to 'perfect' R&D tax credit claims

November 01, 2023

The Internal Revenue Service is once again extending for another year the transition period during which taxpayers have 45 days to perfect a research credit claim for refund before the IRS makes its final decision about the claim. They will now have through Jan. 10, 2025, to perfect the claim.

  • federal tax

IRS opens free Energy Credit Online tool for sellers of clean vehicles to register for time-of-sale reporting and dealer advance payments for the Clean Vehicle Credit

November 01, 2023

The Internal Revenue Service announced today that sellers of clean vehicles can now register using the new IRS Energy Credits Online tool, available free from the IRS. Known as IRS Energy Credits Online or IRS ECO, this free electronic service is secure, accurate and requires no special software. Though available to any business of any size, IRS Energy Credit Online may be especially helpful to any small business that currently sells clean vehicles.

  • personal financial planning
  • federal tax

What the tax gap tells us

October 31, 2023

On Oct. 12, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service released the long-awaited, updated tax gap estimates. The tax gap measures how much the U.S. Treasury loses annually due to taxpayer non-compliance.

  • federal tax