Editor: Rochelle Hodes, J.D., LL.M. Employer–provided health coverage is one of the most widely relied–upon tax–favored benefits in the Internal Revenue Code. Under Sec. 106, employer contributions toward accident or health coverage are generally excluded from an employee’s gross income, and reimbursements for qualifying medical expenses are likewise excluded under
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Employee Benefits
IRS guidance addresses expanded paid family and medical leave credit
The guidance explains how employers can claim the expanded credit for paid family and medical leave beginning in 2026 using a premium-based method.
IRS proposes using NAICS to determine lines of business for certain fringe benefit exclusions
The North American Industry Classification System, already in use for other tax purposes, replaces a specified manual that has not been updated since 1974.
Supercharging retirement: Tax benefits and planning opportunities with cash balance plans
For the right client, these plans can build substantial retirement wealth quickly while offering tax advantages.
Practical tax advice for businesses as a result of the OBBBA
H.R. 1, P.L. 119-21, the law commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), contains provisions of special interest to business taxpayers. This article summarizes some of them and offers tax planning tips.
IRS outlines details for Trump accounts
The IRS released initial details on Trump accounts, a new type of IRA for some children. Also, a billionaire business executive pledged $6.25 billion to provide 25 million children with a $250 contribution to a Trump account.
Premium or paycheck? Tax treatment of secondary sales above FMV
Stock value premium over fair market value as either compensation or capital gain can be a facts-and-circumstances determination.
IRS finalizes regulations for Roth catch-up contributions under SECURE 2.0
The final regulations are similar to the proposed regulations issued in January, with some changes that the IRS said were made in response to comments.
Proposed regulations issued on retirement catch-up contributions
The rules implement the SECURE 2.0 Act’s changes increasing the contribution limit for individuals age 60 to 63 and requiring that certain highly compensated employees make their catch-up contributions on a Roth basis.
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.
Apportioning tax benefits among members of a controlled group
Maintaining an apportionment plan among component members can help ensure optimal tax results.
HSA inflation-adjusted maximum contribution amounts for 2026 announced
Rev. Proc. 2025-19 also includes the revised maximum amount that may be made newly available for excepted-benefit health reimbursement arrangements.
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.
Prop. regs. address 401(k), 403(b) automatic enrollment requirement
The proposed regulations provide guidance to plan administrators on implementing the automatic enrollment requirement established by the Secure 2.0 Act.
Profits interests: The most tax-efficient equity grant to employees
By granting them a profits interest, entities taxed as partnerships can reward employees with equity. Mistakes, however, could cause challenges from taxing authorities.
At ERISA’s 50th anniversary, a legacy of IRS-practitioner collaboration
The historic legislation’s enabling of growth and development of qualified retirement plans also launched a new era of public-private cooperation in tax and employee benefits.
Social Security wage base announced for 2025
The Social Security Administration announced an increased maximum amount of wages subject to Social Security tax in 2025. The cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security benefits for 2024 is slightly lower than last year’s COLA.
Sec. 1042 recapture gain determined under installment method
Installment method applies in determining Sec. 1042 gain recapture on an installment sale of stock to ESOP.
IRS seeks comments on SECURE 2.0 saver’s match contributions
Treasury and the IRS issued a notice on saver’s match contributions to be paid by Treasury under provisions of SECURE 2.0.
Employers now have interim guidance on student loans and retirement plans
The IRS provided guidance for sponsors of 401(k) and similar retirement plans that provide matching contributions based on eligible student loan payments made by participating employees.
PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
2026 tax software survey
CPAs rate their return preparation software’s performance during this year’s tax season.
