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Safe harbor issued for valuing pro sports trades

The IRS will permit professional sports teams that trade player contracts to recognize zero gain if both parties to the exchange adopt the safe harbor and do not exchange cash.

AICPA asks government to issue more QBI deduction guidance

The AICPA asked Treasury and the IRS to issue additional guidance on Sec. 199A beyond the recently finalized regulations and a proposed revenue procedure in the form of a notice on a safe harbor for rental real estate.

Procedure for obtaining EINs to change May 13

Beginning May 13, the IRS will accept employer identification number (EIN) applications only from individual taxpayers who have either a Social Security number or an individual taxpayer identification number as the responsible party on the EIN application.

IRS expands relief from underpayment penalty

The IRS announced that it is lowering from 85% to 80% the amount taxpayers are required to have paid in order to escape an underpayment of estimated income tax penalty for 2018.

IRS reevaluating active trade or business requirement for spinoffs

The IRS announced that it is reviewing its approach to the active trade or business requirement that must be met for a five-year period for a business to qualify for a tax-free spinoff under Sec. 355 and, as a result, is suspending two revenue rulings, Rev. Ruls. 57-464 and 57-492, in which it previously ruled on the topic.

IRS’s Dirty Dozen scams — 2019 edition

The IRS highlighted the 12 abusive tax schemes it wants taxpayers and tax practitioners to be on the alert for this year. Phishing and scam phone calls were the biggest repeat offenders.

Opportunities beckon in new qualified opportunity zones

With their prospects for deferral or even exclusion of gains from certain investments in them, the newly created qualified opportunity zones offer an intriguing tax planning option for investors and a potential boon for distressed communities.

Guidance proposed on FDII and GILTI deductions

The IRS issued guidance on determining the amount of the deduction for foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) and global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) under Sec. 250.

Court upholds IRS PTIN fees

The IRS has authority to charge a user fee for preparer tax identification numbers (PTINs) a federal appeals court held, paving the way for the agency to reinstate the charges for obtaining and renewing a PTIN.