From childhood tax surprise to CPA: A profession leader’s journey
Oscar Vives, who will speak at the AICPA’s National Tax Conference on retirement strategies, says the experience of growing up with a single mother who worked multiple blue-collar jobs strengthened his resolve to use his math skills and help his family.
Social Security wage base and COLA announced for 2026
Individual taxable earnings of up to $184,500 annually will be subject to Social Security tax in 2026, the Social Security Administration said. The SSA also announced a cost-of-living adjustment of 2.8% for both Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for next year.
Congress passes bill requiring IRS to clarify math error notices
The AICPA praised the Senate passage of the bill, saying it will enhance IRS operations and improve the taxpayer experience.
AICPA seeks IRS guidance on tip, overtime tax deductions for 2025
The AICPA said taxpayers and tax professionals need certainty about how to claim the deductions for 2025. The IRS has said it will not update its forms until 2026.
IRS offers relief on car loan interest reporting under H.R. 1
The agency said it is providing the relief because both lenders and the IRS need more time to comply with the new car loan interest reporting requirements added by H.R. 1.
IRS furloughs nearly half its workers, closes most operations
Under an updated contingency plan, nearly 40,000 of the approximately 74,000 IRS workers will stay on the job, including more than 24,000 in Taxpayer Services. In response to the plan, the AICPA recommended “fair, reasonable, and practical relief measures to mitigate the negative impact of the shutdown” on taxpayers and practitioners.
Annual inflation adjustments announced for tax year 2026
The IRS published annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions for tax year 2026, in addition to changes to the standard deduction for tax year 2025.
Social Security Administration head to also serve in new IRS role
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Monday that Frank Bisignano, the commissioner of the Social Security Administration, will serve in the newly created role of CEO of the IRS.
AICPA calls for fully staffed IRS regardless of shutdown length
With an Oct. 15 tax deadline looming for many and guidance needed on H.R. 1, the AICPA says it’s imperative that the IRS keep all employees on the job.
Job cuts mean strong 2025 tax season may be hard to repeat, IRS watchdog warns
Critical staff stayed on the job for this year’s tax season, but that won’t be the case in 2026, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said in a new report.
IRS removes associated property rule in final interest capitalization regulations
The final regulations make minor clarifying changes to proposed regulations issued last year.
IRS withdraws prop. regs. affecting corporate spinoff transactions
The proposed regulations were withdrawn in response to comments that criticized the proposed guidance, according to the IRS.
IRS shutdown plan: Employees stay on the job for first 5 workdays
The IRS would use money from the Inflation Reduction Act to keep the agency’s over 74,000 employees working for the first five days of a potential government shutdown.
IRS trims PTIN fee as renewal season nears
The fee reduction comes as a result of a biennial review of PTIN fees.
Paper tax refund checks on the way out as IRS shifts to electronic payments
The IRS will phase out the use of paper checks for refunds beginning Sept. 30 and will publish detailed guidance later.
IRS keeps per diem rates unchanged for business travel year starting Oct. 1
In its list of high-cost and low-cost localities, the IRS kept per diem rates for travel, meals, and incidental expenses unchanged for the new annual period starting Oct. 1.
Details on IRS prop. regs. on tip income deduction
The proposed regulations define “qualified tips” for purposes of the deduction and contain details on allowable forms of payment.
AICPA urges IRS to modernize estate and trust tax forms
In a letter to the IRS, the AICPA said the changes align with an executive order mandating that all federal tax payments and refunds be processed electronically.
IRS finalizes regulations for Roth catch-up contributions under SECURE 2.0
The final regulations are similar to the proposed regulations issued in January, with some changes that the IRS said were made in response to comments.
IRS releases draft form for tip, overtime, car loan, and senior deductions
The IRS on Friday released a draft of Schedule 1-A (Form 1040), a single form that consolidates the calculations of the four temporary deductions for tips, overtime, car loan interest, and seniors that are allowed under H.R. 1.