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.
Advocacy & Tax Relief
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.
How to claim the employee retention credit for the first half of 2021
The IRS issued guidance on how to claim the employee retention credit for the first and second quarters of 2021. It will issue guidance on the employee retention credit from July 1 to Dec. 31, 2021, provided in new Sec. 3134, at a later date.
Members of Congress request estimated tax deadline postponement
A bipartisan group of 60 members of Congress wrote the IRS, urging that the deadline for first quarter 2021 federal estimated tax payments be postponed until May 17.
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.
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.
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.
Tax filing postponement doesn’t go far enough, AICPA says
The IRS has postponed individual returns’ due date to May 17, but June 15 remains a more appropriate date for many reasons, the AICPA says.
IRS postpones April 15 deadline
The IRS announced that it is postponing the April 15 deadline for individual tax returns and payments. The postponement applies only to individual taxpayers. Formal guidance is expected in the near future.
Federal aid could hobble new state tax cuts and credits
The American Rescue Plan Act’s $350 billion in “fiscal recovery” aid to states comes with a big string attached — the states may not use the money to offset new tax credits or other revenue reductions.
AICPA asks for guidance on S corp. and partnership PPP loan forgiveness
In a letter dated March 15, the AICPA asked for IRS guidance on how S corporations and partnerships should treat tax-exempt income from PPP loan forgiveness, especially when it occurs during a different tax period.
American Rescue Plan Act passes with many tax components
The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill contains many tax provisions, including changes to the child tax credit and many other credits, making certain unemployment benefits tax-free in 2020, and a $1,400 recovery rebate credit for many individuals.
AICPA requests tax deadline postponements until June 15
In a letter, the AICPA asked the IRS to postpone until June 15, 2021, all 2020 federal income tax and information returns and payments (e.g., extension and estimated payments) originally due April 15, 2021.
IRS issues employee retention credit guidance
The IRS issued guidance on the employee retention credit in effect for qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020, including how it interacts with Paycheck Protection Program loans.
Developments in individual taxation
This semiannual update covers recent developments affecting individuals and discusses a number of pandemic-related developments.
Tax provisions in the year-end coronavirus relief act
Pandemic relief, tax extenders, and much more were included in year-end legislation.
Tax provisions in the American Rescue Plan Act
The stimulus bill passed by the House contains many tax provisions, including a new round of economic stimulus payments, tax credits for COBRA continuation coverage, and expansions of the child tax credit, the earned income credit, and the child and dependent care credit.
AICPA seeks certainty on filing deadline and relief for 2020 tax year
The AICPA has written to Treasury and the IRS, calling for certainty about the April 15 tax filing and payment deadline and for underpayment and late-payment penalty relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
IRS provides cafeteria plan relief for the pandemic
The IRS issued guidance on how employers can amend their health flexible spending arrangements and dependent care assistance programs to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
Eligible educators may deduct personal protective equipment expenses
The IRS issued guidance providing a safe harbor under which eligible educators who have unreimbursed expenses for personal protective equipment, disinfectant, and other supplies used to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the classroom can deduct those expenses as educator expenses.
