IRS warns about more tax scams
The IRS said scams involving the fuel tax credit, the sick and family leave credit, and household employment taxes led thousands of taxpayers to file inflated refund claims.
Regulations finalize PTIN fees for tax return preparers
The IRS was required to reduce the charge for preparer tax identification numbers after a federal court found the previous amount excessive. The final regulations adopt the text of interim final and proposed regulations issued in 2023 without change.
HSA inflation-adjusted maximum contribution amounts for 2025 announced
After steep increases for 2024, the HSA maximum contribution amounts allowed by the IRS still increase for 2025, but not by as much, as the rate of inflation slowed.
Foreign trust transactions and large gifts addressed in proposed regs.
The proposed regulations implement Secs. 643(i), 679, 6039F, 6048, and 6677, which were added or modified to prevent efforts by U.S. taxpayers to use foreign trusts and offshore arrangements to avoid U.S. taxes.
Final regs. issued for new, previously owned clean vehicle credits
The final regulations, which the IRS issued Friday, also provide rules regarding the critical mineral and battery component requirements for the new clean vehicle credit, and they add a new test for mineral content.
Practitioner service improvements part of IRS strategic operating plan
The IRS aims to improve service on the tax practitioner phone line and build a better online account for tax professionals, Commissioner Danny Werfel said Thursday.
Automatic accounting method changes list updated by IRS
The IRS on Tuesday provided a comprehensive list of changes in tax accounting methods to which the automatic change procedures in Rev. Proc. 2015-13 apply. The list includes 21 changes described as significant.
Final regs. issued for clean energy credit transfers
The IRS issued final regulations regarding the election to transfer certain clean energy tax credits. The regulations include specific rules for partnerships and S corporations as eligible taxpayers and transferee taxpayers.
Draft of Form 1099-DA for reporting digital asset transactions released
The draft form, which when finalized will be used by brokers to report digital asset transactions, reflects the language of the proposed regulations, including a broad definition of “broker.”
IRS has mixed results from ‘ghost employer’ enforcement efforts
The IRS had mixed success in its first efforts to find employers who evade taxes, doing better in its criminal pursuit than on the civil side, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration said in a recent report.
Updated FAQs provide details on phase-in timing of BOI access
The FAQs from Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said access to beneficial ownership information will be phased in, beginning this spring with a pilot program for some federal agency users and concluding in spring 2025, when financial institutions with customer due-diligence requirements will be able to review BOI.
Despite moratorium, IRS gets 20,000 ERC claims weekly, Werfel says
IRS commissioner Danny Werfel told the Senate Finance Committee that a tax bill passed by the House in January would help the IRS combat fraud in employee retention credit claims.
IRS grants limited waiver for underpayment of estimated corporate AMT
In light of the continuing challenges taxpayers are facing with the corporate alternative minimum tax, the IRS granted a waiver of the addition to tax for failure to pay estimated corporate AMT “in the interest of sound tax administration.”
Dirty Dozen list ends with easements, digital assets, and more
The IRS winds up its annual list of 12 scams and schemes by covering two broad categories: bogus tax-avoidance strategies and schemes with an international element.
Proposed regs. issued for 1% excise tax on corporate stock repurchases
Two sets of proposed regulations issued by the IRS provide guidance on the implementation of the new excise tax and on rules for the procedure and administration applicable to the reporting and payment of the tax.