The IRS said scams involving the fuel tax credit, the sick and family leave credit, and household employment taxes led thousands of taxpayers to file inflated refund claims.
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IRS Practice & Procedure
Regulations finalize PTIN fees for tax return preparers
The IRS was required to reduce the charge for preparer tax identification numbers after a federal court found the previous amount excessive. The final regulations adopt the text of interim final and proposed regulations issued in 2023 without change.
HSA inflation-adjusted maximum contribution amounts for 2025 announced
After steep increases for 2024, the HSA maximum contribution amounts allowed by the IRS still increase for 2025, but not by as much, as the rate of inflation slowed.
Foreign trust transactions and large gifts addressed in proposed regs.
The proposed regulations implement Secs. 643(i), 679, 6039F, 6048, and 6677, which were added or modified to prevent efforts by U.S. taxpayers to use foreign trusts and offshore arrangements to avoid U.S. taxes.
Final regs. issued for new, previously owned clean vehicle credits
The final regulations, which the IRS issued Friday, also provide rules regarding the critical mineral and battery component requirements for the new clean vehicle credit, and they add a new test for mineral content.
Practitioner service improvements part of IRS strategic operating plan
The IRS aims to improve service on the tax practitioner phone line and build a better online account for tax professionals, Commissioner Danny Werfel said Thursday.
Amendment to Sec. 6501 not retroactive
Because his tax year preceded the effective date of a special limitation period that was not retroactive, a taxpayer could be assessed excise taxes on $25 million in excessive IRA contributions, the Tax Court held.
Workers’ compensation offset includible in Social Security benefits
Benefits not disbursed but treated under the Sec. 86(d)(3) offset as having been received were includible in a couple’s gross income, the Tax Court held.
Student-created podcasts deepen tax learning
Producing their own tax podcasts can foster students’ engagement with a broad range of topics.
Automatic accounting method changes list updated by IRS
The IRS on Tuesday provided a comprehensive list of changes in tax accounting methods to which the automatic change procedures in Rev. Proc. 2015-13 apply. The list includes 21 changes described as significant.
Final regs. issued for clean energy credit transfers
The IRS issued final regulations regarding the election to transfer certain clean energy tax credits. The regulations include specific rules for partnerships and S corporations as eligible taxpayers and transferee taxpayers.
Draft of Form 1099-DA for reporting digital asset transactions released
The draft form, which when finalized will be used by brokers to report digital asset transactions, reflects the language of the proposed regulations, including a broad definition of “broker.”
IRS has mixed results from ‘ghost employer’ enforcement efforts
The IRS had mixed success in its first efforts to find employers who evade taxes, doing better in its criminal pursuit than on the civil side, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said in a recent report.
Despite moratorium, IRS gets 20,000 ERC claims weekly, Werfel says
IRS commissioner Danny Werfel told the Senate Finance Committee that a tax bill passed by the House in January would help the IRS combat fraud in employee retention credit claims.
Dirty Dozen list ends with easements, digital assets, and more
The IRS winds up its annual list of 12 scams and schemes by covering two broad categories: bogus tax-avoidance strategies and schemes with an international element.
Proposed regs. issued for 1% excise tax on corporate stock repurchases
Two sets of proposed regulations issued by the IRS provide guidance on the implementation of the new excise tax and on rules for the procedure and administration applicable to the reporting and payment of the tax.
AICPA: BOI ruling confuses businesses; enforcement should be delayed
In a letter to the Treasury secretary and the FinCEN director, the AICPA called for enforcement of beneficial ownership information reporting regulations to be suspended until after lawsuits are settled.
Sale of clean-energy credits: Traps for the unwary
New credits under the Inflation Reduction Act may be transferred for cash, but both buyers and sellers need to observe certain rules and take precautions.
Pond muddies the waters of the mailbox rule
A Fourth Circuit decision seeks a middle ground between Sec. 7502 and common law rules to prove timely mailing of tax returns, refund claims, and other filings.
Tax Court allows hearsay evidence that was part of administrative record
In its review of the IRS’s denial of a request for innocent-spouse relief, the court determines it can consider hearsay evidence that was included in the Service’s administrative record.
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.
