To help taxpayers who might otherwise have been required to file amended income tax returns, the IRS announced that, beginning in May and continuing into the summer, it will automatically issue to eligible taxpayers refunds of income tax paid on 2020 unemployment benefits.
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IRS provides details on April 15 postponement
The IRS issued a notice providing more details and clarification of its previously announced postponement of the April 15 tax deadline for individuals. The notice extends the date for making 2020 IRA contributions; however, it does not extend the date for estimated tax payments.
Amounts paid for personal protective equipment qualify for medical deduction
The IRS announced that purchases of personal protective equipment used to combat the COVID-19 pandemic qualify for the Sec. 213 medical expenses deduction to the extent they exceed 7.5% of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income and have not been compensated for by insurance or otherwise.
Tax filing postponement doesn’t go far enough, AICPA says
The IRS has postponed individual returns’ due date to May 17, but June 15 remains a more appropriate date for many reasons, the AICPA says.
IRS postpones April 15 deadline
The IRS announced that it is postponing the April 15 deadline for individual tax returns and payments. The postponement applies only to individual taxpayers. Formal guidance is expected in the near future.
Federal aid could hobble new state tax cuts and credits
The American Rescue Plan Act’s $350 billion in “fiscal recovery” aid to states comes with a big string attached — the states may not use the money to offset new tax credits or other revenue reductions.
AICPA asks for guidance on S corp. and partnership PPP loan forgiveness
In a letter dated March 15, the AICPA asked for IRS guidance on how S corporations and partnerships should treat tax-exempt income from PPP loan forgiveness, especially when it occurs during a different tax period.
American Rescue Plan Act passes with many tax components
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.
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.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
2026 tax software survey
CPAs rate their return preparation software’s performance during this year’s tax season.
