To protect taxpayers and its employees, the IRS is scaling back its operations during the coronavirus pandemic to focus on mission-critical activities. Here’s a look at what services are being affected.
News
Practitioners seek further clarity on tax filing, payment delay
Practitioners welcomed the IRS’s deferral of income tax returns and payments due April 15 for another 90 days but have many questions about related issues.
IRS provides guidance for April 15 filing delay
The IRS announced the postponement of the April 15 federal income tax filing deadline until July 15. Friday’s notice expands on earlier guidance that had only postponed tax payments but not the filing deadline.
Final regulations address covered assets acquisition rules
The IRS issued final regulations that govern covered asset acquisitions, which are used to increase foreign tax credits.
Tax filing deadline moving to July 15, Treasury secretary announces
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that taxpayers will have until July 15 to file their tax returns, a change from the guidance announced by the IRS earlier.
Coronavirus relief bill contains tax credits for employers
Here’s a look at the payroll tax credit provisions for employers in the coronavirus relief bill President Donald Trump signed on Wednesday.
AICPA expresses strong concern over lack of filing relief in coronavirus tax notice
The IRS delayed any tax payments due April 15 to July 15 without interest or penalties accruing. The relief does not extend any tax return filing deadlines or apply to any other type of tax.
Treasury secretary announces 90-day delay in tax payment deadline
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced that individuals and businesses can delay their tax payments for 90 days due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Final regs. raise offer-in-compromise user fee
The IRS issued final regulations raising the offer-in-compromise user fee from $186 to $205, a 10% increase instead of the increase to $300 included in proposed regulations.
High-deductible health plans can cover coronavirus testing, treatment
To facilitate the nation’s response to COVID-19, the IRS issued guidance permitting high-deductible health plans to cover costs for testing and treating the virus without satisfying a deductible requirement.
Supreme Court overturns consolidated group tax refund allocation rule
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Bob Richards rule for allocating tax refunds among members of a consolidated group, holding that state law is well equipped to decide the matter.
Proposed regs. issued on meal and entertainment expense deductions
The IRS issued proposed rules clarifying that taxpayers may generally continue to deduct 50% of the food and beverage expenses associated with operating their trade or business, despite changes to the meal and entertainment expense deduction under Sec. 274.
No need to report some transactions in video game currency, IRS says
Gamers who, as part of a video game, transact in virtual currencies that do not leave the video game environment do not have to report the transactions on a tax return, the IRS made clear in a statement released on its website.
IRS proposes rules to update income tax withholding, revises Form W-4
The IRS proposed new regulations for withholding on individuals’ wages to reflect the statutory changes in the law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, including the elimination of the personal exemption.
Final rules determine maximum vehicle values
The IRS finalized the rules for maximum vehicle values under the cents-per-mile valuation rule and the fleet-average valuation rule after the law known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increased those values to $50,000, adjusted for inflation.
Electronic filing mandated for Sec. 501(c)(3) applications
The IRS announced that Form 1023, Application for Recognition of Exemption Under Section 501(c)(3), must now be submitted electronically.
More taxpayers qualify for student loan COD relief
The IRS is expanding its relief from cancellation-of-debt income to students whose federal loans were discharged for certain legal reasons.
IRS issues 2020 standard mileage rates
On the last day of 2019, the IRS issued the standard mileage rates for 2020 for business, charitable, medical, or moving expense purposes, as well as other deduction amounts.
Qualified opportunity zone regs. finalized
The IRS issued final regulations providing guidance on tax-favored investments in qualified opportunity zones (QOZs).
Year-end government spending bill contains many tax provisions
The consolidated appropriations bill passed by Congress makes many changes to retirement plan rules, repeals health care taxes, extends expired tax provisions, and provides tax relief for disaster victims.
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.
