IRS posts ARPA credit FAQs
The IRS has posted two sets of FAQs that explain changes to the child and dependent care credit and to the sick and family leave credits made by the American Rescue Plan Act.
COVID-19 tax news and resources
Draft employer’s payroll tax return incorporates ARPA changes
A proposed new version of Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, reflects relief provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act.
COBRA premium assistance credit under ARPA clarified
The IRS answered questions concerning COBRA continuation coverage premium assistance and the corresponding tax credit that employers, plan administrators, and insurers may claim under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Taxpayers deserve pandemic penalty relief, AICPA says
In a letter to the IRS and Treasury, the AICPA recommended, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, that the IRS implement fair, reasonable and practical penalty relief measures, including targeted relief from both the underpayment-of-estimated-tax penalty and the late-payment penalty for the 2020 tax year.
IRS clarifies pandemic relief for dependent care assistance programs
Dependent care assistance program benefits carried over or available during an extended claims period under special temporary COVID-19 relief provisions retain their status as excludable from employees’ gross income and wages, the IRS explains in a notice.
2021 child tax credit, EITC, and premium tax credit limits updated
The IRS issued guidance on the amount of and limitations on the child tax credit, earned income tax credit, and premium tax credit available for taxpayers for the 2021 tax year as a result of changes to those provisions enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2.
Expenses paid with 2020 PPP loans can be deducted on 2021 tax returns
The IRS issued guidance on a safe harbor permitting qualifying taxpayers who have PPP loans, who did not deduct expenses related to those loans paid or incurred in 2020 on their 2020 returns, to deduct the expenses on their returns for the immediately subsequent tax year, instead of on an amended return or administrative adjustment request for the 2020 tax year.
IRS extends e-signature authorization for 6 months
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the IRS issued guidance extending the temporary authorization to issue a number of IRS forms using electronic signatures from June 30, 2021, through Dec. 31, 2021.
IRS extends penalty relief for pandemic payroll credits
The IRS provided for penalty relief under Sec. 6656 for an employer’s failure to timely deposit certain employment taxes with the IRS to allow employers to immediately take advantage of various credits enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
AICPA recommendations on Q1 estimates and 2020 Form 709 extensions
The AICPA has released some recommendations for practitioners concerning various issues that have arisen due to the postponement of the April 15 tax deadline for individuals.
