An IRS technical advice memorandum examines a taxpayer’s fines and penalties paid to a state agency.
IRS Practice & Procedure
Basket contracts would be listed transactions under proposed regs.
The regulations target improper income deferral and capital gain treatment using certain options, notional principal contracts, and other derivatives.
Strategies for information return penalties and Form 945 assessments
Penalties for failure to file correct information returns and backup withholding can be waived, but timely and correct responses to IRS notices are essential.
No Collection Due Process hearing for FBAR penalties
A hearing is available only for taxes imposed by Title 26, the Internal Revenue Code, as opposed to the taxpayers’ foreign bank account reporting penalties under U.S. Code Title 31, the Tax Court held.
Appeals court reinstates injunction that halts BOI enforcement
Three days after a panel of judges granted a government motion to lift the injunction, another panel said it was reinstating a lower court’s ruling. An AICPA statement urged CPAs to be prepared to file BOI reports. A statement by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said that, in light of the court ruling, companies could continue to file BOI reports voluntarily and that they are “not subject to liability if they fail to do so while the order remains in force.”
IRS proposes new rules for tax professionals
The proposed regulations would update the Circular 230 rules governing practice before the IRS.
Injunction lifted; FinCEN extends most BOI deadlines to Jan. 13
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday granted a Justice Department motion to lift an injunction imposed by a district court ruling. Hours later, FinCEN announced, in light of the court decision, that the Jan. 1, 2025, reporting deadline was extended to Jan. 13 for most reporting companies.
Extension to BOI reporting deadline removed from budget bill
Congress did not include a delay to the beneficial ownership information reporting requirement in its government funding bill. The AICPA has been advocating for a delay.
Business standard mileage rate increases for 2025
The IRS increased the optional standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a vehicle for business to 70 cents per mile driven, up 3 cents from 2024.
Applicability date set for required minimum distribution regulations
Treasury and the IRS announced that certain portions of future regulations finalizing the proposed regulations for required minimum distributions will apply beginning in the 2026 distribution calendar year.
IRS amends rules for computing the premium tax credit
The IRS released final regulations that amend the definition of “coverage month” and amend other rules in existing income tax regulations for computing the premium tax credit.
IRS expands online accounts, provides enforcement update
The IRS announces expansion of online accounts, including the tax pro account, as part of the quarterly update to its strategic operating plan.
IRS grants partnerships additional time to furnish complete Forms 8308
The IRS is providing relief from penalties imposed solely for failure to furnish Part IV of Form 8308 for partnerships by Jan. 31, 2025, if a partnership meets certain requirements.
FinCEN: Companies can voluntarily file BOI reports during injunction
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said in an alert, however, that reporting companies do not have to file beneficial ownership information reports while a preliminary injunction is in effect.
Court halts BOI reporting; AICPA urges preparedness
Finding the Corporate Transparency Act “likely unconstitutional,” a federal district court prohibited its enforcement and the enforcement of its accompanying regulations.
BOI: Businesses cite procrastination, lack of clarity for not filing
Nearly three in eight businesses in a poll said they were waiting until the end of the year to file beneficial ownership information reports.
No automatic stay in whistleblower case
No automatic bankruptcy stay in Tax Court whistleblower review proceedings.
IRS again delays effective date of $600 threshold for Form 1099-K reporting
The delay, the third by the IRS for Form 1099-K reporting for third-party settlement organizations, will treat 2024 and 2025 as transition years.
ERC claims withdrawal process extended for third-party payers
The IRS said the new deadline to file under the consolidated employee retention credit claims process is Dec. 31. The previous deadline was Friday.
IRS will accept duplicate dependent returns submitted with an IP PIN
Beginning with the 2025 filing season, the IRS will accept Forms 1040, 1040-NR and 1040-SS even if a dependent has already been claimed on a previously filed return if the primary taxpayer on the second return includes a valid identity protection personal identification number.
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.
