The Senate Finance Committee approved the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act, legislation backed by the AICPA that would modernize IRS operations, expand taxpayer services, and give the IRS authority to deny, revoke, or suspend preparer tax identification numbers.
Advertisement
News
FinCEN director expects final BOI reporting rule soon
The director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network told a congressional subcommittee that she’s “very optimistic” that the final rule will be issued before the end of the year.
IRS raises standard mileage rates for remainder of 2026
The midyear change follows an increase in gasoline prices, according to the IRS. It is the first such midyear adjustment since 2022.
IRS designates certain CRAT arrangements as listed transactions
The final regulations target arrangements that the IRS says improperly use charitable remainder annuity trusts and annuities to eliminate ordinary income and capital gain on the sale of property.
Eligible taxpayers to get automatic IRS penalty relief
Under the new system, eligible taxpayers will no longer have to request penalty relief that the IRS says is routinely granted.
IRS adds online option, details for Kwong-related refund claims
Certain taxpayers with IRS online accounts can file a Kwong-related refund claim on Form 843 through a new secure application before a Friday deadline.
IRS seeks examples of incorrect CP53E notices
The request follows reports from taxpayers who said they received notices despite not expecting a refund or having already provided direct deposit information.
IRS offers gift tax safe harbor for contributions to Trump accounts
The guidance sets forth conditions for contributions to qualify for the annual gift tax exclusion and for donors to avoid filing gift tax returns.
IRS outlines AI risks, Circular 230 duties for tax practitioners
The IRS warned that AI’s risks — including fabricated outputs and data privacy concerns — require practitioners to verify results and follow existing Circular 230 rules on diligence, competence, and confidentiality.
Advocate: IRS had strong filing season for online taxpayers, weaker one for others
The national taxpayer advocate’s Fiscal Year 2027 Objectives Report to Congress says the IRS processed about 139 million returns and handled most refunds smoothly but says the story was different for taxpayers who needed help from a human being.
Supreme Court lets stand IRS power to assess tax anytime for preparer fraud
The Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of the Third Circuit’s decision in Murrin, in which the court held that taxpayer intent is not required for the unlimited period for assessing tax under Sec. 6501(c)(1) to apply.
Advisory panel urges sustained IRS funding, expanded AI, tax simplification
The Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee calls for predictable, multiyear funding; expanded use of artificial intelligence with safeguards; and steps to reduce complexity and improve communication with taxpayers and practitioners.
About a quarter of callers to two IRS lines got poor service, TIGTA says
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration estimated that about 1 million callers to two IRS customer service lines did not receive quality service.
TIGTA: IRS reassigned staff after layoffs for filing season
More than 11,000 workers left Taxpayer Services, prompting the IRS to assign 1,173 higher-paid employees to lower-grade positions, the report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said.
IRS holds hiring events in 6 cities after staff cuts
During the 10th ENGAGE, AICPA Chair Jan Lewis pointed to new hiring as a step toward improving IRS responsiveness.
AICPA recommends improvements to CP53E notice process
A letter to the IRS cites erroneous notices, late guidance, and practitioner confusion. It also calls for clearer rules and system changes.
IRS to merge tax practitioner offices despite AICPA opposition
The new Tax Professional Management Office will combine the Return Preparer Office and Office of Professional Responsibility functions under one structure, with the IRS saying their missions and oversight roles would remain unchanged.
IRS proposes increase in cost of estate tax closing letter
Proposed regulations issued Monday would raise the cost of the letter to $76, from the $56 set in 2025.
HSA inflation-adjusted maximum contribution amounts for 2027 announced
Rev. Proc. 2026-24 also includes the revised maximum amount that may be made newly available for excepted-benefit health reimbursement arrangements and the aggregate monthly fees allowable for direct primary care service arrangements.
IRS appeals Kwong as advocate says refunds may be at stake
The IRS filed an appeal of the Court of Federal Claims’ Kwong decision, in which the court held that the filing deadline for refund claims for penalties and interest was automatically extended by Sec. 7508A(d) due to the COVID-19 disaster declaration.
INDIVIDUALS
Current Developments in Taxation of Individuals: Part 1
This update surveys recent federal tax developments involving individuals, including court cases, rulings, and guidance issued during the six months ending October 2025.
