COVID-19 tax news and information

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July 28, 2023

To combat fraud, IRS steps up ERC claim enforcement

Having made significant progress in the ongoing effort against fraudulent employee retention credit claims, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said the agency has entered a new phase of increasing scrutiny on dubious submissions while renewing consumer warnings against aggressive marketing.

July 26, 2023

Final regs. allow assessment of COVID-19 related tax credit refunds

The IRS issues final regulations that allow for the assessment of erroneous refunds of COVID-19 related paid sick leave, family leave, and employee retention credits.

July 1, 2023

Considerations for IRS examinations of ERC claims

With an extended examination period for the employee retention credit and repeated IRS warnings of promoted schemes, practitioners and their clients should take care to document and support credit claims.

June 23, 2023

COVID-19 coverage without a deductible ends next year

A high-deductible health plan will no longer be permitted to provide coverage without a deductible for testing for and treatment of COVID-19 after Dec. 31, 2024.

June 1, 2023

A pandemic-era tax break that remains rife with abuse — the ERC

The IRS issues at least its seventh warning about the employee retention credit since October 2022.

May 1, 2023

IRS returns to in-person public hearings; telephone still an option

With COVID-19 no longer considered a national emergency, the IRS will return to public hearings for proposed regulations published in the Federal Register beginning in May while keeping telephone access as an option.

March 13, 2023

ERC claims on returns prepared by others raise questions for tax pros

The IRS Office of Professional Responsibility issued a bulletin that reviews the Circular 230 professional responsibilities that apply to claims for the employee retention credit.

March 3, 2023

In-person IRS tax forums scheduled for first time since pandemic start

The three-day forums, last held in person in 2019, are designed specifically for CPAs and other tax professionals.

March 1, 2023

Lookback period extended for refunds related to pandemic postponements

In determining the beginning of the lookback period for refund claims for returns with due dates postponed by Notice 2021-21 or Notice 2020-23, the IRS will disregard the periods from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, and from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. This change will align the lookback periods with the postponed return filing due dates.

December 1, 2022