In its annual report, IRSAC said the IRS has been through “an extraordinarily difficult year” with budget and staff cuts while preparing for numerous tax law changes. The report also noted tax practitioners’ prolonged wait times when contacting the IRS.
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Tax
AICPA tax policy and advocacy successes: 2025 highlights
The AICPA’s Tax Division volunteer committees and technical resource panels can point to many positive results last year from its advocacy to Treasury, the IRS, and Congress for law changes and administrative guidance.
Prop. regs. amend Sec. 3406 backup withholding regulations
The IRS issued the proposed regulations to reflect changes made by H.R. 1 to the threshold for backup withholding for third-party settlement organizations such as PayPal, Venmo, and others.
IRS IT overhaul set to finish by 2028, former official says
After years of delays, the IRS expects to complete modernization of its fragmented IT systems by 2028, a former acting IRS commissioner said at an AICPA webcast.
IRS to start accepting and processing tax returns on Jan. 26
The IRS acknowledged that new tax provisions could affect federal taxes, credits, and deductions. The start of filing season is in line with previous years.
Electronic filing for business tax returns starts next week
The IRS said it will begin accepting business tax returns electronically next week. No date has been announced yet for individual tax returns.
AICPA calls on IRS to automate Sec. 1033 extension requests
The recommendation aims to cut delays that leave taxpayers uncertain about disaster related replacement deadlines for property.
Proposed regulations provide guidance on car loan interest deduction
In proposed regulations for the car loan interest deduction, the IRS addresses issues for taxpayers and lenders, including eligibility criteria for the deduction and information-reporting requirements.
Business standard mileage rate increases for 2026
The IRS increased the optional standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a vehicle for business to 72.5 cents per mile driven, up 2.5 cents from 2025.
IRS updates FAQs on business interest limitation, premium tax credit
The updates reflect changes made in H.R. 1, P.L. 119–21, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Corporate Transparency Act, source of BOI reporting mandate, held constitutional
Despite the Eleventh Circuit holding that the Corporate Transparency Act is constitutional, an interim rule from Treasury means that domestic companies are not subject to beneficial ownership information reporting requirements.
Even an expert says: Digital asset reporting creates headaches
At the AICPA National Tax Conference, digital assets expert Nik Fahrer, CPA, sympathized with tax pros who dread the upcoming tax season because of digital asset reporting requirements.
IRS clarifies health savings account changes in H.R. 1 in new notice
Among other changes, the guidance explains that bronze and catastrophic plans are considered HSA-compatible under Sec. 223.
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.
New regs. reshape 1% stock buyback tax, drop funding rule
The IRS published final regulations that scrap the proposed funding rule and ease compliance for M&A deals, preferred stock, and netting provisions.
AICPA asks Treasury, IRS to change approach to dual consolidated losses
A letter urges an exception to the current “all or nothing” approach that prevents U.S. companies from deducting any part of a dual consolidated loss if even a portion of the DCL was used in a foreign country.
About 1 million taxpayers to get automatic penalty relief next year
During a session at the AICPA National Tax Conference, the national taxpayer advocate said the IRS will start applying first-time abatements automatically next year.
IRS clarifies how employees can claim 2025 tip and overtime deductions
The IRS also is updating some income tax forms and instructions to help taxpayers claim the deductions.
AICPA warns that merger of IRS offices would ‘confuse’ taxpayers
The proposed merger of the Office of Professional Responsibility and the Return Preparer Office would blur “the public’s ability to perceive the distinction between credentialed, uncredentialed, and unenrolled preparers,” the AICPA said in a letter.
Is the IRS just between shutdowns? Former IRS commissioners are worried
Three former IRS leaders, speaking at the 2025 AICPA National Tax Conference, discussed the agency’s future and what happens if a shutdown occurs during filing season.
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.
