Representations & Examinations

IRS audit rates decreased most for wealthy, GAO finds

In a study, the US Government Accountability Office finds that the Internal Revenue Service’s individual tax audit rates decreased by 72% during 2010–2019, and by a greater percentage for higher-income taxpayers than for lower-income ones.

Taxpayer First Act changes innocent spouse relief

Changes significantly affect how an innocent spouse case is prepared and places an increased burden on return preparers who interact with a taxpayer who potentially has an innocent spouse claim.

Your federal tax privilege checklist

Tax practitioners can rely on several doctrines to preserve the confidentiality of client communications, but they must follow appropriate procedures and provide clear documentation to protect the privilege in IRS exams or legal proceedings.

PTIN user fees reinstated

The IRS said it would once again begin charging fees to issue preparer tax identification numbers to return preparers for 2021.

D.C. Circuit reinstates IRS PTIN fee

The IRS has authority to charge a user fee for preparer tax identification numbers, a federal appeals court held, paving the way for the agency to reinstate the charges for obtaining and renewing a PTIN.

Court upholds IRS PTIN fees

The IRS has authority to charge a user fee for preparer tax identification numbers (PTINs) a federal appeals court held, paving the way for the agency to reinstate the charges for obtaining and renewing a PTIN.

IRS finalizes tax preparer due-diligence regs.

The IRS issued final regulations on the penalty that applies to tax return preparers who fail to exercise due diligence in preparing returns for taxpayers who are claiming head-of-household filing status, the earned income tax credit, the child tax credit, the additional child tax credit, or the American opportunity tax credit.

Tax Insider Articles

DEDUCTIONS

Business meal deductions after the TCJA

This article discusses the history of the deduction of business meal expenses and the new rules under the TCJA and the regulations and provides a framework for documenting and substantiating the deduction.

TAX RELIEF

Quirks spurred by COVID-19 tax relief

This article discusses some procedural and administrative quirks that have emerged with the new tax legislative, regulatory, and procedural guidance related to COVID-19.