IRS explains employee retention credit rules for first half of 2021
The IRS issued guidance on how to claim the employee retention credit for the first and second quarters of 2021.
Advocacy & Tax Relief
IRS refunding taxes overpaid on unemployment benefits
To help taxpayers who might otherwise have been required to file amended income tax returns, the IRS announced that it will automatically issue to eligible taxpayers refunds of income tax paid on 2020 unemployment benefits.
Draft employer’s payroll tax return incorporates ARPA changes
A proposed new version of Form 941, Employer’s Quarterly Federal Tax Return, reflects relief provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act.
COBRA premium assistance credit under ARPA clarified
The IRS answered questions concerning COBRA continuation coverage premium assistance and the corresponding tax credit that employers, plan administrators, and insurers may claim under the American Rescue Plan Act.
Taxpayers deserve pandemic penalty relief, AICPA says
In a letter to the IRS and Treasury, the AICPA recommended, in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, that the IRS implement fair, reasonable and practical penalty relief measures, including targeted relief from both the underpayment-of-estimated-tax penalty and the late-payment penalty for the 2020 tax year.
IRS clarifies pandemic relief for dependent care assistance programs
Dependent care assistance program benefits carried over or available during an extended claims period under special temporary COVID-19 relief provisions retain their status as excludable from employees’ gross income and wages, the IRS explains in a notice.
IRS says educators may deduct cost of personal protective equipment
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.
Guidance for 2020 employee retention credit issued
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 PPP loans.
American Rescue Plan Act enacts many tax provisions
The $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill that passed Congress contained many tax provisions, including changes to the child tax credit, making certain unemployment benefits tax-free in 2020, and a $1,400 recovery rebate credit for many individuals.
Cafeteria plans may be amended during 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.
Casualty losses related to COVID-19 when there are no physical losses
The COVID-19 pandemic brings taxpayers into uncharted territory with regard to casualty losses without physical damage but where there is still an undeniable impact to the business, especially where property values are permanently reduced due to the pandemic.
Deductibility of business expenses funded by PPP loans
This item discusses whether expenses paid for with PPP loans can be deducted as business expenses.
2021 child tax credit, EITC, and premium tax credit limits updated
The IRS issued guidance on the amount of and limitations on the child tax credit, earned income tax credit, and premium tax credit available for taxpayers for the 2021 tax year as a result of changes to those provisions enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, P.L. 117-2.
Expenses paid with 2020 PPP loans can be deducted on 2021 tax returns
The IRS issued guidance on a safe harbor permitting qualifying taxpayers who have PPP loans, who did not deduct expenses related to those loans paid or incurred in 2020 on their 2020 returns, to deduct the expenses on their returns for the immediately subsequent tax year, instead of on an amended return or administrative adjustment request for the 2020 tax year.
IRS extends penalty relief for pandemic payroll credits
The IRS provided for penalty relief under Sec. 6656 for an employer’s failure to timely deposit certain employment taxes with the IRS to allow employers to immediately take advantage of various credits enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
AICPA recommendations on Q1 estimates and 2020 Form 709 extensions
The AICPA has released some recommendations for practitioners concerning various issues that have arisen due to the postponement of the April 15 tax deadline for individuals.
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.
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.
