The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill contains many tax provisions, including changes to the child tax credit and many other credits, making certain unemployment benefits tax-free in 2020, and a $1,400 recovery rebate credit for many individuals.
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AICPA recommends Circular 230 changes
In response to a request for comments about planned revisions to Circular 230, Regulations Governing Practice Before the IRS, the AICPA sent a letter making recommendations to the director of the IRS’s Office of Professional Responsibility.
AICPA requests tax deadline postponements until June 15
In a letter, the AICPA asked the IRS to postpone until June 15, 2021, all 2020 federal income tax and information returns and payments (e.g., extension and estimated payments) originally due April 15, 2021.
IRS issues employee retention credit guidance
The IRS issued guidance on the employee retention credit in effect for qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020, including how it interacts with Paycheck Protection Program loans.
Tax provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act
The stimulus bill passed by the House contains many tax provisions, including a new round of economic stimulus payments, tax credits for COBRA continuation coverage, and expansions of the child tax credit, the earned income credit, and the child and dependent care credit.
AICPA seeks certainty on filing deadline and relief for 2020 tax year
The AICPA has written to Treasury and the IRS, calling for certainty about the April 15 tax filing and payment deadline and for underpayment and late-payment penalty relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
IRS provides cafeteria plan relief for the pandemic
The IRS issued guidance on how employers can amend their health flexible spending arrangements and dependent care assistance programs to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Senate shows bipartisan support for mobile workforce tax legislation
The Senate voted to make room in the FY 2021 budget resolution for mobile workforce legislation. Details of the budget still must be negotiated, but the vote creates the possibility that mobile workforce legislation, which the AICPA strongly supports, will be enacted this year.
Eligible educators may deduct personal protective equipment expenses
The IRS issued guidance providing a safe harbor under which eligible educators who have unreimbursed expenses for personal protective equipment, disinfectant, and other supplies used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the classroom can deduct those expenses as educator expenses.
IRS requires corrected information returns for certain SBA loans
The IRS issued guidance requiring lenders who mistakenly sent Forms 1099-MISC reporting loan payments that are permitted to be excluded from the taxpayer’s gross income under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to send corrected forms.
Beware of identity theft scam involving unemployment benefits
The IRS warned taxpayers that identity thieves are fraudulently claiming state unemployment benefits using stolen taxpayer identities. Here is what taxpayers should do if they receive a Form 1099-G reporting state unemployment benefits they did not receive.
Employee retention credit changes leave practitioners with questions
The IRS issued guidance on two aspects of the employee retention credit — how to claim the credit when filing the fourth quarter Form 941 when the taxpayer knows its loan under the PPP will not be forgiven and how the newly extended and amended employee retention credit will apply.
Partner capital account reporting gets transition penalty relief
Errors by partnerships in reporting partners’ tax capital accounts under new rules for 2020 may be excused, the IRS outlined.
IRS explains extended payroll tax due dates
The IRS issued updated procedures for the deferred employee portion of employment tax payments, which were further extended from April 30, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021, by year-end legislation.
Some individual taxpayers get relief from underpayment penalty
The IRS granted individual taxpayers a waiver from the penalty for underestimated tax due solely to the amendment to Sec. 461(l)(1)(B) in the CARES Act repealing the excess business loss limitations for years before 2021.
Taxpayers need clarity on coordination of ERC and PPP loans
The AICPA asked the IRS and Treasury to clarify that the filing of a Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness application is not an election by the taxpayer to forgo the employee retention credit for wages reported on the application exceeding the amount of wages necessary for loan forgiveness.
Tax filing season to start Feb. 12, IRS announces
The IRS announced that it will start accepting 2020 tax returns on Feb. 12, a later date than usual. The delay stems from programming changes needed to account for year-end tax legislation.
Final regs. govern deductibility of fines and penalties
The IRS issued final regulations on when fines and penalties paid to a government are not deductible by a taxpayer, including defining when a payment counts as restitution, which may be deductible.
Final rules on exempt organization excess remuneration
The IRS issued final regulations on the excise tax on excess remuneration over $1 million paid by tax-exempt organizations, finalizing proposed regulations with a few changes in response to comments.
Carried interests regulations are finalized
The IRS finalized proposed regulations on certain carried interests to account for changes made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). The TCJA extended from one year to three years the holding period for making carried interests eligible for capital gain treatment.
employee benefits & pensions
Profits interests: The most tax-efficient equity grant to employees
By granting them a profits interest, entities taxed as partnerships can reward employees with equity. Mistakes, however, could cause challenges from taxing authorities.
