The IRS said it would once again begin charging fees to issue preparer tax identification numbers (PTINs) to tax return preparers for 2021. The fee was reduced in response to court cases that challenged the IRS’s authority to charge a fee.
News
Partnership form being redesigned for 2021
The IRS proposes modifying the partnership form (Form 1065) to help standardize the format of international tax items.
FDII and GILTI regulations finalized
The IRS issued final regs. on the foreign-derived intangible income deduction and the global intangible low-taxed income provisions enacted by the TCJA.
How to report coronavirus paid sick leave and family leave to employees
The IRS issued guidance on how employers should report qualified sick and family leave paid to employees under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
2020 depreciation limits for cars and trucks are issued
The IRS issued the 2020 limits on depreciation deductions for cars and trucks first placed in service in 2020 and the income inclusion amounts for passenger automobiles first leased in 2020.
Consolidated groups get NOL guidance
The IRS issued proposed and temporary regulations explaining how consolidated groups should apply the changes to the net operating loss rules enacted by the CARES Act.
IRS will not postpone July 15 deadline
The IRS announced that it will not further postpone federal tax filing and payment deadlines beyond July 15.
RIC shareholders can take Sec. 199A deduction for REIT dividends
The IRS issued final regulations allowing regulated investment companies (RICs) to report qualified real estate investment trust (REIT) dividends as Sec. 199A dividends to their shareholders.
Rollover relief for required minimum distributions
The IRS provides relief for taxpayers who had already taken required minimum distributions (RMDs) in 2020 before the CARES Act suspended the RMD requirement for 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on taxpayers and the stock market.
Proposed regs. explain disallowed transportation fringe benefits
The IRS issued proposed regulations implementing changes to Sec. 274 that disallow a deduction for the expense of any Sec. 132(f) qualified transportation fringe provided to an employee, effective for amounts paid or incurred after Dec. 31, 2017.
Guidance on how to take CARES Act distributions from qualified plans
The IRS released guidance on how taxpayers can take coronavirus-related distributions from qualified retirement plans as authorized by the CARES Act.
Leave-based donation program available during pandemic
The IRS announced that employers may make donations this year to charitable organizations that provide relief to COVID-19 pandemic victims in exchange for personal leave that their employees forgo.
Rules proposed for direct primary care arrangements, health care sharing ministries
The IRS issued proposed regulations defining direct primary care arrangements with doctors and health care sharing ministries and how payments for them can qualify as Sec. 213 medical expenses.
AICPA recommends changes to e-signature requirements
In a letter to the IRS, the AICPA asked the IRS to permanently amend its electronic signature procedures to make it easier for taxpayers and practitioners to e-file all types of returns.
Qualified opportunity zone rules are relaxed
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS further postponed the 180-day deadline to invest in a qualified opportunity fund from July 15, 2020, to Dec. 31, 2020, extended other deadlines, and relaxed some qualified investment rules.
Understanding the filing relief for ‘time-sensitive acts’ in Notice 2020-23
Practitioners must carefully review Notice 2020-23 to understand the full scope of filing relief granted by the IRS in response to hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
IRS permits remote signatures for plan loan consents
In another response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the IRS is allowing retirement plan participants who want to take coronavirus-related distributions from their retirement plans to provide remote signatures, even for spousal consents.
E-filing of Form 1040-X coming this summer
The IRS announced that taxpayers will be able to electronically file Forms 1040-X, Amended U.S. Individual Income Tax Return, later this summer.
Final regs. address reporting by tax-exempt organizations
The IRS finalized regulations permitting tax-exempt organizations other than Sec. 501(c)(3) orgs. to omit the names of substantial donors when filing Forms 990, Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.
Premium tax credit unaffected by personal exemption decrease to zero
The IRS issued long-promised proposed regulations explaining how taxpayers who may qualify for the Sec 36B premium tax credit are affected by the temporary reduction of the personal exemption deduction under Sec. 151 to zero.
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.
