IRS will not postpone July 15 deadline
The IRS announced that it will not further postpone federal tax filing and payment deadlines beyond July 15.
News
RIC shareholders can take Sec. 199A deduction for REIT dividends
The IRS issued final regulations allowing regulated investment companies (RICs) to report qualified real estate investment trust (REIT) dividends as Sec. 199A dividends to their shareholders.
Rollover relief for required minimum distributions
The IRS provides relief for taxpayers who had already taken required minimum distributions (RMDs) in 2020 before the CARES Act suspended the RMD requirement for 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on taxpayers and the stock market.
Proposed regs. explain disallowed transportation fringe benefits
The IRS issued proposed regulations implementing changes to Sec. 274 that disallow a deduction for the expense of any Sec. 132(f) qualified transportation fringe provided to an employee, effective for amounts paid or incurred after Dec. 31, 2017.
Guidance on how to take CARES Act distributions from qualified plans
The IRS released guidance on how taxpayers can take coronavirus-related distributions from qualified retirement plans as authorized by the CARES Act.
Leave-based donation program available during pandemic
The IRS announced that employers may make donations this year to charitable organizations that provide relief to COVID-19 pandemic victims in exchange for personal leave that their employees forgo.
Rules proposed for direct primary care arrangements, health care sharing ministries
The IRS issued proposed regulations defining direct primary care arrangements with doctors and health care sharing ministries and how payments for them can qualify as Sec. 213 medical expenses.
AICPA recommends changes to e-signature requirements
In a letter to the IRS, the AICPA asked the IRS to permanently amend its electronic signature procedures to make it easier for taxpayers and practitioners to e-file all types of returns.
Qualified opportunity zone rules are relaxed
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS further postponed the 180-day deadline to invest in a qualified opportunity fund from July 15, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020, extended other deadlines, and relaxed some qualified investment rules.
Understanding the filing relief for 'time-sensitive acts' in Notice 2020-23
Practitioners must carefully review Notice 2020-23 to understand the full scope of filing relief granted by the IRS in response to hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
IRS permits remote signatures for plan loan consents
In another response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS is allowing retirement plan participants who want to take coronavirus-related distributions from their retirement plans to provide remote signatures, even for spousal consents.
E-filing of Form 1040-X coming this summer
The IRS announced that taxpayers will be able to electronically file Forms 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, later this summer.
Final regs. address reporting by tax-exempt organizations
The IRS finalized regulations permitting tax-exempt organizations other than Sec. 501(c)(3) orgs. to omit the names of substantial donors when filing Forms 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.
Premium tax credit unaffected by personal exemption decrease to zero
The IRS issued long-promised proposed regulations explaining how taxpayers who may qualify for the Sec 36B premium tax credit are affected by the temporary reduction of the personal exemption deduction under Sec. 151 to zero.
HSA contribution limits increase for 2021
The IRS issued its annual inflation-adjusted contribution limits for contributions to health savings accounts permitted to participants in high-deductible health plans. Most of the amounts increased slightly over the 2020 amounts.
IRS mobilizing 3,500 phone operators to answer stimulus questions
With many taxpayers still having problems using the Internal Revenue Service’s “Get My Payment” website, the IRS announced that it is mobilizing 3,500 telephone representatives to answer some of the most common questions about economic impact payments.
Final regs. clarify when interest in corporation is stock vs. debt
The IRS has issued final regulations addressing when certain related-party interests in corporations should be treated as stock vs. debt.
Proposed rules govern deductions and reporting for restitution
The IRS issued regulations explaining the allowance of deductions for certain fines and penalties under Sec. 162(f) as amended by the law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
IRS allows midyear changes to health coverage, dependent care elections
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the IRS is allowing employers to permit their employees to change their health coverage elections or dependent care elections during the year and is extending the carryover period for health flexible spending arrangement (FSA) expenses.
Taxpayers must act soon for direct deposit of stimulus payments
The IRS announced that taxpayers for whom the Service does not have direct deposit information should go to its “Get My Payment” website and enter that information by noon on Wednesday, May 13, so they can receive their stimulus payments electronically.
