Under an updated contingency plan, nearly 40,000 of the approximately 74,000 IRS workers will stay on the job, including more than 24,000 in Taxpayer Services. In response to the plan, the AICPA recommended “fair, reasonable, and practical relief measures to mitigate the negative impact of the shutdown” on taxpayers and practitioners.
AICPA Advocacy
AICPA calls for fully staffed IRS regardless of shutdown length
With an Oct. 15 tax deadline looming for many and guidance needed on H.R. 1, the AICPA says it’s imperative that the IRS keep all employees on the job.
Guidance on research or experimental expenditures under H.R. 1 issued
The revenue procedure advises taxpayers how to make various elections, file amended returns, and change accounting methods as provided under Section 70302 of the new law.
AICPA presses IRS for guidance on domestic research costs in OBBBA
In its letter, the AICPA said small businesses that have not filed returns for the 2024 filing period face uncertainty about how to treat domestic research and experimental expenditures.
IRS includes several AICPA recommendations in corporate AMT interim guidance
In a notice issued Tuesday, the IRS said it intends to partially withdraw proposed regulations and issue revised proposed regulations.
AICPA supports bill that lets married domestic violence victims file taxes as single
The bill would empower survivors of domestic abuse or spousal abandonment to file taxes without contacting their abuser.
AICPA: Guidance needed on catch-up contributions under Roth mandate
In a letter to Treasury and the IRS, the AICPA requested guidance on language in proposed regulations issued in January.
Senate budget bill would preserve PTET SALT deduction
An AICPA statement after the bill was issued by the Senate Budget Committee lauded lawmakers for “diligent work to reject new tax increases” on passthrough business including CPA firms.
AICPA proposes changes to Senate bill that would help most US businesses
Passthrough entities would lose ground compared with corporations under tax language in the Senate Finance Committee bill, the AICPA said in a letter to legislative finance leaders.
AICPA makes Priority Guidance Plan recommendations to IRS
In addition to its 183 recommendations for the IRS plan, the AICPA encouraged the agency to continue to pursue tax simplification.
53 CPA societies back AICPA in PTET SALT deduction effort
A letter from the AICPA and CPA societies in 53 states and jurisdictions criticizes the provision in the House version of the budget bill that would eliminate the state and local tax deduction for certain passthrough entities.
IRS hotline questions resolved faster in 2025; concern grows about agency’s future
An annual survey of AICPA members about IRS service showed the majority of respondents are concerned that political distractions will affect agency funding and administration in the future.
AICPA recommends changes to prop. regs. on PTEP, related basis adjustments
The recommendations, sent Tuesday in a letter to Treasury and the IRS, include that the IRS expressly allow taxpayers to rely on proposed regulations until they are final.
AICPA: Contingent fee provision in tax bill would help unscrupulous tax preparers
In a letter to congressional committee leaders, the AICPA said Congress should strike language from the tax bill that bars Treasury from regulating contingent fees.
AICPA endorses some Ways and Means tax provisions, signals concern for others
One item is a “longstanding priority for the AICPA and the tax profession,” a news release said. The AICPA cited the “potential detrimental impact” of other provisions.
AICPA makes recommendation for updated Form 8971 instructions
In a letter to the IRS, the AICPA recommended that the agency provide further guidance in two areas of new instructions for Form 8971, Information Regarding Beneficiaries Acquiring Property From a Decedent.
IRS can make it easier to leave assets to younger generations, AICPA says
In a letter to the IRS, the AICPA recommended changes to the final regulations for generation-skipping transfer (GST) exemption and certain GST elections that it said would make it easier and less expensive for taxpayers to file.
Bills dealing with tax administration, disaster victims pass House
The AICPA endorsed four of the six bills, all of which passed with bipartisan support and were forwarded to the Senate.
AICPA recommends prop. regs. changes for some retirement savings plans
The AICPA submitted comments to Treasury and the IRS with recommended changes to proposed regulations for automatic enrollment requirements for most newly established 401(k) and 403(b) plans under the SECURE 2.0 Act.
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.