Tax Reform Archives - Page 26 of 58

Tax Reform

Weekly IRS Roundup July 6 – July 10, 2020

by McDermott Will & Emery | Jul 14, 2020 | IRS Guidance, Tax Reform

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of July 6, 2020 – July 10, 2020. Additionally, for continuing updates on the tax impact of COVID-19, please visit our resource page here.

July 6, 2020: The IRS added new frequently asked questions on the treatment of grants or loans to businesses through the Coronavirus Relief Fund established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The IRS stated that a government grant is taxable because the grant generally is not excluded from the business’s gross income except in narrow circumstances. A government loan, however, generally is not included in gross income except to the extent it is forgiven. If a government forgives all or a portion of the loan, then the amount forgiven is included in gross income and taxable unless an exclusion applies. If an exclusion applies, the IRS indicated the taxpayer may lose an equivalent amount of tax attributes.

July 6, 2020: The IRS added frequently asked questions on the treatment of grants or loans to health care providers through the Provider Relief Fund established by the CARES Act. The IRS stated that payments from this fund do not qualify as a qualified disaster relief payment under section 139 of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and, in turn, are includible in gross income. The IRS also stated that a tax-exempt recipient generally is not subject to tax on a fund payment unless the amount is a reimbursement to an unrelated trade or business under section 511.

July 6, 2020: The IRS added content to its Large Business & International (LB&I) Active Campaign covering section 965 for individuals. In connection with the transition to a participation exemption system, certain individuals had an obligation to include in gross income (and report) their pro rata share of the untaxed earnings and profits of certain directly and indirectly owned foreign corporations. The IRS indicated it will address noncompliance through soft letters and examinations.

July 7, 2020: The IRS issued a news release reminding tax-exempt organizations that certain forms they file with the IRS are due on July 15, 2020, including Form 990. Tax-exempt organizations that need additional time to file beyond the July 15 deadline can request an automatic extension by filing Form 8868. The IRS also indicated that extending the time for filing a return does not extend the time for paying tax.

July 8, 2020: The IRS issued a news release reminding certain taxpayers to restart their tax payments by July 15. Some taxpayers took advantage of tax relief measures under the People First Initiative and did not make previously owed tax payments between March 25 and July 15. The IRS also set forth what taxpayers should do to resume their payment agreements to the IRS, including Installment Agreements, Offers in Compromise and [...]

Continue Reading

Weekly IRS Roundup June 29 – July 3, 2020

by McDermott Will & Emery | Jul 8, 2020 | IRS Guidance, Tax Reform

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of June 29, 2020 – July 3, 2020. Additionally, for continuing updates on the tax impact of COVID-19, please visit our resource page here.

June 29, 2020: The IRS issued a news release announcing that the tax filing and payment deadline of July 15 will not be postponed. However, individual taxpayers may request an automatic extension of time to file until October 15. Individual taxpayers that file Form 1040 series returns must file Form 4868 by July 15 to obtain the automatic extension.

June 29, 2020: The IRS issued corrections to proposed regulations regarding the credit for carbon oxide sequestration under section 45Q. Among other changes, the IRS clarified that the applicable recapture period ends upon five years, and not three years, after the last taxable year in which the taxpayer claimed a tax code section 45Q credit.

June 29, 2020: The IRS published the 2019 IRS Data Book, which summarizes tax filings, revenue collections, taxpayer services, enforcement activities and agency operations. The IRS added new key information to the annual publication and addressed the agency’s response to COVID-19.

June 29, 2020: The IRS added new frequently asked questions regarding filing extension relief for Forms 1139 and 1045. The IRS clarified that Notice 2020-26, which grants a six-month extension to file Forms 1139 and 1045 for certain net operating losses (NOLs), applies to consolidated groups. The IRS also clarified that if Notice 2020-26 extended a taxpayer’s filing date to file Forms 1139 and 1045, and if the extended due date is a date on or after April 1, 2020, and before July 15, 2020, then the taxpayer will also receive relief under Notice 2020-23, which allows taxpayers to file Forms 1139 and 1045 until July 15, 2020.

July 1, 2020: The IRS issued a news release announcing that it added new retail partners that will accept cash payments for federal taxes owed by both individual and business taxpayers.

July 2, 2020: The IRS released proposed regulations and temporary regulations providing guidance regarding NOLs for consolidated groups. The temporary regulations permit consolidated groups that have acquired certain new members to elect to waive all or part of the pre-acquisition portion of certain losses where there is a retroactive statutory extension of the NOL carryback period. Public comments regarding the contemplated rules must be received by August 31, 2020.

July 3, 2020: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

Special thanks to Robbie Alipour in our Chicago office for this week’s roundup.

Weekly IRS Roundup June 22 – June 26, 2020

by McDermott Will & Emery | Jun 29, 2020 | Court Procedure Matters, IRS Guidance, Settlements, Tax Reform

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of June 22 – June 26, 2020. Additionally, for continuing updates on the tax impact of COVID-19, please visit our resource page here.

June 24, 2020: The IRS issued final regulations permitting a regulated investment company (RIC) that receives qualified real estate investment trust (REIT) dividends to report dividends the RIC pays to its shareholders as section 199A dividends.

June 25, 2020: The IRS Office of Chief Counsel announced a limited settlement offer to certain taxpayers with pending docketed US Tax Court cases involving syndicated conservation easement transactions. The settlement offer requires a concession of the income tax benefits claimed by the taxpayer and imposes penalties.

June 26, 2020: The IRS will begin to reopen Taxpayer Assistance Centers starting on June 29, 2020. In-person appointments will be available for certain items.

June 26, 2020: The IRS issued a reminder to taxpayers and businesses that income tax liabilities as well as postponed April 15 and June 15, 2020, estimated tax payments are due July 15, 2020. Taxpayers who owe a 2019 income tax liability, as well as estimated tax for 2020, must make two separate payments on or by July 15, 2020. One payment should be for their 2019 income tax liability and one payment for their 2020 estimated tax payments.

June 26, 2020: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

Special thanks to Emily Mussio in our Chicago office for this week’s roundup.

Section 965 Statutes of Limitations for Partnerships

by Kevin Spencer and McDermott Will & Emery | Jun 29, 2020 | IRS Audits, IRS Guidance, Tax Reform

On May 26, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued PMTA 2020-08 to provide guidance on the period of limitations for Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 965, transition tax-related adjustments of partnerships. Typically, pursuant to IRC section 6501, the IRS has three years to assess a tax liability for a tax year. However, IRC section 6501(e)(1)(C) states that if the taxpayer omits from gross income an amount properly includible in income under IRC section 951(a), the tax may be assessed at any time within six years after the return was filed. Moreover, this special six-year limitation on assessment applies to the entire tax liability reportable on that return. Because special assessment and adjustment rules apply to partnerships, the IRS issued guidance on how the rules are applicable to certain partnerships and partners with section 965-related items.

For a deferred foreign income corporation’s (DFIC) last taxable year beginning before January 1, 2018, IRC section 965 imposes a one-time tax on a US shareholder’s pro rata share of the DFIC’s earnings and profits (E&P) otherwise deferred from US taxation. The IRS describes three steps for the calculation under IRC section 965: (1) IRC section 965(a) deems the DFIC to repatriate its untaxed E&P through a subpart F inclusion in the US shareholder’s gross income equal to the greater of its E&P as of two measurement dates in 2017; (2) IRC section 965(b) reduces the IRC section 965(a) inclusion by the E&P deficits of the US shareholder’s other foreign corporations; and (3) IRC section 965(c) provides for a deduction (based on the aggregate IRC section 965(a) inclusion amount and on cash positions) that has the effect of reducing the effective rate of US tax on the US shareholder’s IRC section 965(a) inclusion.

With respect to partnerships, in the guidance the IRS indicated that it can make three broad categories of adjustments that affect the computation of IRC section 965 amounts. Revisions could be made to the tax attributes and financial data underlying the computation of the IRC section 965(a) inclusion, the IRC section 965(c) deduction and foreign tax amounts. Such adjustments could affect the IRC section 965(a) inclusion amount and IRC section 965(c) deduction amount reportable by the partnership and affect the IRC section 965(a) inclusion and the IRC section 965(c) deduction reported by the partners. Accordingly, the IRS outlined how to apply the assessment and adjustment period rules apply when there are partners with IRC section 965-related items arising from partnerships subject to different procedures and audit regimes.

Under the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 1982 (TEFRA), the IRS indicated it can make adjustments at any time provided the period for assessing tax attributable to the adjustments is open. The IRC section 965(a) inclusion amount and the IRC section 965(c) deduction amount reported by the partnership may be adjusted for the required reporting year if either: (1) the partner’s IRC section 6501 period of limitations on assessing tax attributable to adjustments to partnership items has not [...]

Continue Reading

IRS Targets Private Foundations That May Be Used by Wealthy Taxpayers in Tax Planning

by Kevin Spencer, Brian Moore and McDermott Will & Emery | Jun 26, 2020 | IRS Audits, IRS Guidance, Tax Reform, Tax Refunds

In remarks at the NYU Tax Controversy Forum on June 18, 2020, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officials indicated that the agency is analyzing the use of private foundations for tax planning. Ms. Tamera Ripperda, who is the commissioner of the Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TEGE) Division and previously served as the industry director for the Global High Wealth in the Large Business and International (LB&I) Division, said the agency is focusing on cross-division collaborations to target high-income, high-wealth taxpayers.

The TEGE Division has trained more than 400 LB&I agents this year on the use of private foundations in tax planning for high-net-worth individuals. Additionally, the divisions are using data analytics to identify linkages between LB&I and TEGE cases. Commissioner Ripparda stated that TEGE has identified more than 1,000 private foundations “that have linkages or that are interwoven into these global high-wealth enterprises,” and the IRS will likely examine many of these entities.

Practice Point: Several years ago, the IRS launched its “Wealth Squad,” a team of agents trained in looking through entities and tax structures to focus on the overall strategy of ultra-wealthy taxpayer to reduce their tax incidence. (See this link for more information on that program.) The IRS’s examination of private foundations as a tool to reduce taxes for wealthy is the next chapter for the IRS to crack down on perceived abuse. It is clear that lawmakers and US Treasury officials are increasingly focused on perceived lax enforcement and low audit rates of high-income, high-wealth taxpayers. Taxpayers who use private foundations in their planning should begin working with their tax advisers now to review potential exposure and make sure they are prepared for an expected IRS audit.

Weekly IRS Roundup June 1 – June 5, 2020

by McDermott Will & Emery | Jun 8, 2020 | IRS Guidance, Tax Reform

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of June 1 – June 5, 2020. Additionally, for continuing updates on the tax impact of COVID-19, please visit our resource page here.

June 2, 2020: The IRS reminded taxpayers who live and work abroad that they have until July 15, 2020, to file their 2019 federal income tax return and pay any tax due. Typically, the deadline for such returns is June 15.

June 3, 2020: The IRS issued Notice 2020-42 to provide temporary relief from the physical presence requirement in Treasury Regulations § 1.401(a)-21(d)(6) for participant elections required to be witnessed by a plan representative or a notary public, including a spousal consent required under IRC § 417.

June 4, 2020: The IRS issued Notice 2020-39 and updated the Qualified Opportunity Zones frequently asked questions (FAQs). Notice 2020-39 answers questions regarding relief from certain requirements under IRC § 1400Z-2, particularly providing that if a taxpayer’s 180th day to invest in a qualified opportunity zone would have fallen on or after April 1, 2020, and before December 31, 2020, the taxpayer now has until December 31, 2020, to invest that gain into a qualified opportunity fund (QOF). In addition, Notice 2020-39 provides that the period between April 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, is suspended for purposes of the 30-month period during which property may be substantially improved.

June 4, 2020: The IRS announced that the Office of Chief Counsel will be expanding its Virtual Settlement Days program. Settlement Days events are organized in effort to resolve US Tax Court cases by providing taxpayers not represented by counsel the opportunity to receive free tax advice from certain pro bono groups such as the Low Income Taxpayer Clinics (LITCs) and American Bar Association (ABA).Through this program, taxpayers can also discuss their Tax Court cases and resolve related tax issues with members of the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, the Independent Office of Appeals and Collection.Due to COVID-19, Settlement Days events are now virtual and allow for taxpayers and volunteers to join from any location.

June 5, 2020: The IRS issued Notice 2020-43 to seek public comment on a proposed requirement for partnerships to use only one of two alternative methods described in Notice 2020-43 to satisfy the Tax Capital Reporting Requirement with respect to partnership taxable years that end on or after December 31, 2020. The two methods that a partnership may use to report, for each partner, are either (i) the partner’s basis in its partnership interest, reduced by the partner’s allocable share of partnership liabilities, as determined under IRC § 752 (Modified Outside Basis Method); or (ii) the partner’s share of previously taxed capital, as calculated under a modified version of Treas. Reg. § 1.743-1(d) (Modified Previously Taxed Capital Method).

June 5, 2020: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, [...]

Continue Reading

Weekly IRS Roundup May 25 – May 29, 2020

by McDermott Will & Emery | Jun 1, 2020 | IRS Guidance, Tax Reform

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of May 25 – May 29, 2020. Additionally, for continuing updates on the tax impact of COVID-19, please visit our resource page here.

May 26, 2020: The IRS and United States Department of the Treasury issued proposed regulations to provide guidance on federal income tax withholding on certain periodic retirement and annuity payments under IRC § 3405(a).

May 26, 2020: The IRS and Treasury issued final regulations clarifying the reporting requirements under IRC § 6033, generally applicable to tax-exempt organizations.

May 26, 2020: The IRS Practice Unit titled Taxation on the Disposition of USRPI by Foreign Persons was updated to clarify that publicly traded stock of a corporation continues to not be US real property interests (USRPI) if held by a 5% or less shareholder. The 5% threshold was increased to 10% only for real estate investment trusts (REITs) under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (PATH Act).

May 27, 2020: The IRS and Treasury issued Notice 2020-41 to modify prior IRS notices addressing the beginning of construction requirement for both the production tax credit for renewable energy facilities under IRC § 45 and the investment tax credit for energy property under IRC § 48.

May 27, 2020: The IRS announced that some Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) will be sent to taxpayers in the form of a prepaid debit card that will arrive in a plain envelope from “Money Network Cardholder Services.”

May 28, 2020: The IRS announced that taxpayers will be able to file Form 1040-X, Amended US Individual Income Tax Return, electronically this summer. Previously, Form 1040-X was only accepted through the mail.

May 28, 2020: The IRS and Treasury issued proposed regulations regarding the credit for carbon oxide sequestration under IRC § 45Q.

May 29, 2020: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

Special thanks to Emily Mussio in our Chicago office for this week’s roundup.

Weekly IRS Roundup February 10 – 14, 2020

by McDermott Will & Emery | Feb 18, 2020 | IRS Audits, IRS Guidance, Tax Reform, Uncategorized

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of February 10 – 14, 2020.

February 10, 2020: The IRS issued a revenue ruling providing guidance regarding how to determine the adjusted basis life of insurance contracts under IRC section 1011 and 1012 given the recent amendments to IRC section 1016(a), which the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act amended to provide that in determining the basis of a life insurance contract or an annuity contract, no adjustment is made for mortality, expense, or other reasonable charges incurred under the contract. The IRS updated Revenue Ruling 2009-13 and 2009-14 to reflect these changes.

February 10, 2020: The Joint Committee on Taxation released a report addressing domestic corporations’ federal tax receipts and tax liabilities. The report summarized the present law and accounting rules regarding corporate taxation, specifically addressing behavioral responses relating to recent tax changes, including the acceleration of deductions, deferral of income, and treatment of NOLs and NOL carryovers. The House Committee on Ways and Means discussed the report in a public hearing on February 11, 2020.

February 10, 2020: The Treasury published a notice of a current list of countries that require or may require participation in, or cooperation with, an international boycott within the meaning of IRC section 999(b)(3). The countries include Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

February 11, 2020: The Joint Committee on Taxation released a report addressing an amendment that would provide for additional reporting by certain investors with respect to certain specified medical care providers. Under the proposal, reporting persons are required to file annual information returns with respect to certain specified medical care providers in which the reporting person holds an interest. The House Committee on Ways and Means discussed the report in a public hearing on February 12, 2020.

February 13, 2020: The IRS published proposed regulations that provide guidance for employers concerning the amount of federal income tax to withhold from employee’s wages, implementing recent changes due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the redesigned 2020 Form W-4 and related IRS publications. In a related news release, the IRS stated that employees who have a Form W-4 on file with their employer from years prior to 2020 generally will continue to have their withholding determined based on that form.

February 14, 2020: The IRS released final regulations to correct final regulations contained in T.D. 9891, which was published on January 23, 2020, and provided guidance applicable to transfers of appreciated property by US persons to partnerships with foreign partners related to the transferor. The regulations are scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on February 18, 2020.

February 14, 2020: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

Special thanks to Jenni Saperstein in our Chicago office for this week’s roundup.

Weekly IRS Roundup February 3 – 7, 2020

by McDermott Will & Emery | Feb 11, 2020 | IRS Audits, IRS Guidance, Tax Reform, Uncategorized

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of February 3 – 7, 2020.

February 3, 2020: The IRS and the Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services jointly announced frequently asked questions about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. The agencies noted that they are tasked with developing standards for use by a group health plan and a health insurance issuer offering group or individual health insurance coverage in compiling a summary of benefits and coverage (SBC). The 2021 iterations of the SBC template, instructions, coverage example guide and narratives—all of which have been recently released—must be used beginning with the first day of the first open enrollment period for any plan year beginning on or after January 1, 2021.

February 4, 2020: The IRS issued an issue snapshot regarding self-dealing under IRC section 4941(d), focusing largely on the furnishing of goods, services or facilities between a private foundation and a disqualified person. The IRS provided resources and guidance that delineate exceptions to the excise tax that typically applies to any direct or indirect act of self-dealing under IRC section 4941. The IRS also provided issue indicators and audit tips on the subject.

February 5, 2020: The IRS published final regulations regarding special valuation rules for employers and employees to use in determining the amount to include in an employee’s gross income for personal use of an employer-provided vehicle. These regulations incorporate changes made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The regulations became effective upon publication.

February 6, 2020: The IRS published final regulations correcting Treasury Decision 9884, which addressed the effect of recent legislative changes to the basic exclusion amount allowable in computing federal gift and estate taxes. These regulations affect donors of gifts made after 2017 and the estates of decedents dying after 2017. The regulations became effective upon publication.

February 6, 2020: The IRS released draft Instructions to Form 1118, Foreign Tax Credit for Corporations, to reflect the recently published final regulations. The Instructions note a change in the manner in which foreign source exchange losses are reported on Schedule A. They also note that since most domestic partnerships and S corporations are no longer required to include amounts under IRC section 951A, most domestic corporations will only need to complete one line in Schedule D.

February 7, 2020: The IRS issued a notice releasing the 2018 and 2019 inflation adjustment factors used to determine the availability of the Indian coal production credit under IRC section 45. The 2020 Further Consolidated Appropriations Act extended the credit period for Indian coal production.

February 7, 2020: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

Special thanks to Jenni Saperstein in our Chicago office for this week’s roundup.

Weekly IRS Roundup January 20 – 24, 2020

by McDermott Will & Emery | Jan 27, 2020 | IRS Audits, IRS Guidance, Tax Reform, Uncategorized

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of January 20 – 24, 2020.

January 20, 2020: The IRS released new Instructions to IRS Form 1120-S, US Income Tax Return for an S Corporation. These changes conform to the new regulations, which changed the qualified business income deduction, addressed qualified opportunity fund investments, and removed the AMT refundable credit. In conjunction with these changes, the IRS also released updated Instructions to Form 1065, Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc., so that it complied with the new rules regarding the qualified business income deduction.

January 21, 2020: The IRS issued a notice updating both the corporate bond weighted average interest rates and the permissible range of interest rates used to calculate pension plan minimum funding for plan years beginning in January 2020. The IRS updated various projections, including the yield curve, 24-month segment rates, 30-year Treasury securities interest rates, and the minimum present value segment rates.

January 22, 2020: The IRS issued interim guidance to its appeals employees regarding employer shared responsibility payment (ESRP) cases under IRC section 4980H, which requires applicable large employers to provide minimum essential coverage to a certain percentage of their employees. The guidance affects IRM 8.7.21 and is effective immediately.

January 22, 2020: The IRS released a Large Business and International Concept Practice Unit addressing payments of Fixed Determinable Annual Periodic (FDAP) income. The Unit focuses on the statistical sampling and projection procedures that IRS agents utilize when auditing a US withholding agent, focusing especially one that has a large number of Forms 1042-S (regarding a foreign person’s US source income subject to withholding) or FDAP payments, whether or not those payments had been reported.

January 23, 2020: The IRS issued a news release announcing that various global tax chiefs undertook a multi-country day of action dedicated to investigating the facilitation of offshore tax evasion. The day of action involved evidence and intelligence collection activities such as search warrants, interviews and subpoenas. It is expected that further criminal, civil and regulatory action will arise from these actions.

January 23, 2020: The IRS released an issue snapshot about third-party payer arrangements, focusing specifically on professional employer organizations (PEOs) and their related employment tax responsibilities under IRC section 3511. The IRS provided tax resources to help taxpayers address issues that arise when a common law employer’s employment tax obligations are shared by or shifted to a PEO. The IRS also provided audit tips to these taxpayers.

January 24, 2020: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

Special thanks to Jenni Saperstein in our Chicago office for this week’s roundup.