The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill that passed Congress contained many tax provisions, including changes to the child tax credit, making certain unemployment benefits tax-free in 2020, and a $1,400 recovery rebate credit for many individuals.
Individuals
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.
IRS explains new treatment of excess premium tax credits
The IRS said it would not require taxpayers who received excess advance premium tax credits for 2020 to file Form 8962, Premium Tax Credit, after the American Rescue Plan Act retroactively exempted those amounts from being taxed.
IRS explains which meals qualify for temporary 100% expense deduction
The IRS issued guidance on Thursday on the temporary rule that allows a 100% deduction for eligible restaurant meals in 2021 and 2022.
Bill to postpone estimated tax due date to be introduced in Congress
Rep. Lloyd Smucker, R.-Pa., announced he will introduce a bill that pushes back the due date for first-quarter 2021 estimated tax payments from April 15, 2021, to May 17, 2021. The AICPA expressed its support for the bill.
IRS to automatically issue refunds on tax-free unemployment benefits
To help taxpayers who might otherwise have been required to file amended income tax returns, the IRS announced that, beginning in May and continuing into the summer, it will automatically issue to eligible taxpayers refunds of income tax paid on 2020 unemployment benefits.
Unemployment benefit identity theft scam targets unemployed taxpayers
The IRS warned taxpayers that identity thieves are fraudulently claiming state unemployment benefits using stolen taxpayer identities. Here is what taxpayers should do if they receive a Form 1099-G reporting state unemployment benefits they did not receive.
Debt workouts involving commercial real estate
As short-term agreements that borrowers and creditors reached at the beginning of the pandemic start to expire, real estate companies and others
will need to find long-term solutions to their insolvency problem.
Payment of deferred payroll taxes extended
The IRS issued updated procedures for the deferred employee portion of employment tax payments, which were further extended from April 30, 2021, to Dec. 31, 2021, by year-end legislation.
Practical highlights of recent tax research
This article looks at recent academic research of interest to tax practitioners.
Final rules determine when fines and penalties are deductible
The IRS issued final regulations on when fines and penalties paid to a government are not deductible by a taxpayer, including defining when a payment counts as restitution, which may be deductible.
Like-kind exchanges of real property: New final regs.
This article provides background on like-kind exchanges and examines how final regulations define real property for purposes of like-kind exchanges.
Lenders required to send corrected Forms 1099-MISC
The IRS issued guidance requiring lenders who mistakenly sent Forms 1099-MISC reporting loan payments that are permitted to be excluded from the taxpayer’s gross income under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to send corrected forms.
Underpayment penalty relief for individuals affected by excess business loss repeal
The IRS grants underpayment penalty relief for
taxpayers affected by excess business loss repeal.
IRS issues additional rules on the business interest expense limitation
The IRS issued final regulations containing rules on the Sec. 163(j) interest expense limitation, including rules for specific passthrough entities and regulated investment companies.
Determining qualified rehabilitation expenditures
Certified historic buildings continue to qualify for a credit equal to 20% of QREs, but now the credit must be claimed ratably over a five-year period.
Revisiting withholding on equity compensation
In the time of COVID-19, where employers may
increasingly turn to equity compensation to save on cash compensation expenses and employees are increasingly mobile, there is increased risk for employers.
IRS provides details on April 15 postponement
The IRS issued a notice providing more details and clarification of its previously announced postponement of the April 15 tax deadline for individuals. The notice extends the date for making 2020 IRA contributions; however, it does not extend the date for estimated tax payments.
Amounts paid for personal protective equipment qualify for medical deduction
The IRS announced that purchases of personal protective equipment used to combat the COVID-19 pandemic qualify for the Sec. 213 medical expenses deduction to the extent they exceed 7.5% of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income and have not been compensated for by insurance or otherwise.
Revocable trusts and the grantor’s death: Planning and pitfalls
This article focuses on the key tax and reporting areas applicable to revocable trusts and the associated planning and pitfalls that arise at the grantor’s death.
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.
