The IRS’s new Simple Notice Initiative follows a pilot that demonstrated how redesigned notices can improve taxpayer experience while reducing call volume.
News
Reporting of digital assets as cash delayed until IRS issues regs.
In an announcement posted Tuesday, until regulations are issued, the IRS said businesses do not have to include digital assets in determining whether cash received in a single transaction is over the $10,000 reporting threshold.
IRS enforcement efforts collect $520 million from wealthy taxpayers
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel detailed new IRS efforts to collect taxes from high-income individuals, complex partnerships, and large corporations. He also gave an update on IRS modernization progress.
Taxpayer advocate: IRS again fails tax pros with PPS call answer rate
In an annual report to Congress, the national taxpayer advocate says the IRS should prioritize improving service on the practitioner priority service line, which had a 29% call answer rate.
IRS to begin accepting and processing 2023 tax returns on Jan. 29
IRS commissioner Danny Werfel promised “marked improvement” for the upcoming tax season, when almost 129 million individual tax returns are expected to be filed.
IRS collects record-setting $4.9 trillion in tax revenue in FY 2022
The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said in its annual report that the total tax revenue collected from return filings was about $790 billion more than in FY 2021.
Draft form, instructions posted for corporate AMT
The IRS instructions say that all corporations must file Form 4626, unless they fall under one of four exclusions, to determine whether they are an applicable corporation, and, if so, to calculate the tax.
ERC voluntary disclosure program requiring 80% claim payback launched
The IRS announced the launch of a program that will allow businesses to repay money from questionable employee retention credit claims and avoid penalties and interest.
Final rule issued on access to beneficial ownership information
The director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said the key changes from the proposed rule involve the scope of financial institution access to beneficial ownership information; limitations on offshore access to BOI; and streamlining procedures for state, local, and tribal law enforcement to gain access to BOI.
The AICPA’s tax policy and advocacy work: 2023 highlights
It’s worth pausing to reflect on the AICPA’s successes in advocating for the profession with Congress and the IRS this year.
IRS announces penalty relief, resumption of collection notices
The relief will go to about 4.7 million taxpayers — most with income under $100,000 a year — who did not receive automated collection reminder notices during the pandemic.
IRS expands access to business tax accounts, adds features
Individual partners of partnerships and individual shareholders of S corporations can now open business tax accounts, which previously were available only to sole proprietors.
Information-reporting penalty safe harbor finalized
The IRS issued regulations on Monday providing a de minimis safe harbor from information-reporting penalties, finalizing proposed regulations issued in 2018.
Interim guidance provided for the corporate alternative minimum tax
The IRS issued a notice on regarding the application of the corporate alternative minimum tax to shareholders of CFCs and to affiliated groups of corporations filing consolidated returns.
Business standard mileage rate increases for 2024
The optional standard mileage rate for business use of a vehicle increased slightly from 2023. The new rate is effective Jan. 1.
IRS reorganizes leadership structure with 1 deputy commissioner
Doug O’Donnell, the current deputy commissioner for services and enforcement and the acting IRS commissioner from November 2022 to March 2023, will fill the position.
ERC disallowance letters sent to 20K+ taxpayers
The letters are part of the wide-ranging IRS campaign to curb abuse in the pandemic-era employee retention credit.
Supreme Court hears arguments in challenge to Sec. 965 transition tax
At stake is up to $340 billion in tax revenue in case where couple is challenging tax that they say increased their liability by about $15,000 in 2017.
FinCEN extends BOI reports deadline for certain companies
Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network extended the deadline to file beneficial ownership information reports from 30 days to 90 days for companies created or registered in 2024.
IRS surveys tax professionals to help it improve services
The IRS said the voluntary phone survey will take about 20 minutes and will cover topics including e-filing, due diligence requirements, data security, and electronic document submission.
TAX PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
2025 tax software survey
AICPA members in tax practice assess how their return preparation software performed during tax season and offer insights into their procedures.
