Use of standard mileage rate, other rules are updated for TCJA
The IRS updated its rules concerning the use of standard mileage rates and to reflect the current suspension of miscellaneous itemized deductions and moving expense deductions.
News
IRS commissioner seeks to enhance taxpayer contacts, target enforcement
Speaking to the AICPA National Tax Conference in Washington, IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig discussed possible IRS restructuring, more-targeted enforcement efforts and IRS use of data analytics.
Automatic accounting method change procedures updated
The IRS released its updated procedures for automatic accounting method changes, which are accounting method changes that can be made without the IRS’s consent.
IRS posts 2020 inflation adjustments and tax tables
The IRS released the 2020 tax tables for individuals and estates and trusts, as well as the inflation adjustments for over 60 tax provisions for 2020 tax returns.
Retirement plan contribution limits increase for 2020
Annual contribution limits for 401(k) plans will increase from $19,000 in 2019 to $19,500 in 2020, and most other limits are increasing as well.
TIGTA outlines IRS challenges for 2020
The memorandum lists 10 challenges in order of importance, ranging from data security to achieving operational efficiencies.
Taxpayers may deduct casualty losses in prior years
The IRS finalized regulations permitting taxpayers to deduct disaster losses in the prior tax year and removed the related temporary regulations that were issued in 2016.
IRS clarifies the tax treatment of cryptocurrency ‘hard forks’ and ‘airdrops’
The IRS ruled that a taxpayer does not have gross income as a result of a hard fork of a cryptocurrency if the taxpayer does not receive units of a new cryptocurrency, but does have gross income as a result of an airdrop of new cryptocurrency after a hard fork if the taxpayer receives units of the new cryptocurrency.
CFC downward attributions get safe harbors
U.S. shareholders who own stock in foreign corporations were given a safe harbor by the IRS, making it easier for them to establish that they are not shareholders in a controlled foreign corporation, or CFC.
IRS issues 2019 to 2020 per-diem rates for traveling away from home
The IRS issued its annual notice specifying the special per-diem rates, including the transportation industry meal and incidental expenses rates, the rate for the incidental-expenses-only deduction, and the rates and list of high-cost localities for purposes of the high-low substantiation method.
Safe harbor allows QBI deduction for rental real estate businesses
The IRS issued a revenue procedure describing the requirements taxpayers have to meet to be a rental real estate business that qualifies for the safe harbor to be treated as a trade or business in order to qualify for the Sec. 199A qualified business income deduction.
Final regs. loosen 401(k) hardship distribution requirements
The IRS issued final regulations governing hardship distributions from Sec. 401(k) plans, eliminating the requirements that participants obtain a loan from the plan if available and that suspend participants’ ability to make contributions to the plans for six months after taking a hardship distribution.
Regulations clarify bonus depreciation treatment
The IRS issued final regulations and new proposed regulations on the 100% bonus depreciation deduction that was amended by the law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
Corporations have short period to apply for IRS CAP program
The IRS announced that it is opening its Compliance Assurance Process (CAP) program to new applicants for the first time in years, but applications must be made between Sept. 16 and Oct. 31.
Built-in gains and losses subject of new proposed regs.
The IRS issued proposed regulations that provide a safe harbor for corporations to calculate built-in gains and losses after an ownership change.
Proposed regs. clarify reporting requirements for tax-exempt organizations
The rulemaking mainly consolidates existing guidance in one location, but it also responds to a recent court decision that held invalid certain changes to donor-reporting requirements.
IRS offers expatriate tax relief
The IRS announced procedures to allow certain individuals who have renounced their US citizenship to get into compliance with their U.S. tax obligations and obtain relief for back taxes.
Tax accounting rules issued for advance payments
Taxpayers that use the accrual method and receive advance payments for good or services were given new rules by the IRS on when to include the advance payments in income.
Proposed regs. govern maximum automobile values
The IRS issued proposed rules that provide maximum automobile values for the cents-per-mile and fleet-average valuation rules used to determine the amount to include in an employee’s gross income for personal use of an employer-provided vehicle.
Underpayment penalty relief now automatic for eligible filers
Some taxpayers who paid 2018 underpayment penalties will receive refund checks because the penalties will be automatically waived for those who qualify, the IRS announced.
