Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of May 18 – May 22, 2020. Additionally, for continuing updates on the tax impact of COVID-19, please visit our resource page here.

May 18, 2020:  The U.S. Tax Court announced that comments to the proposed amendments to the Rules of its Practice and Procedure should be emailed to Stephanie A. Servoss, Clerk of the Court, at Rules@ustaxcourt.gov. The Tax Court has not received mail since March 19, 2020.

May 18, 2020:  The IRS added approximately 3,500 phone operators to answer Economic Impact Payment (EIP) questions.

May 19, 2020:  The Large Business & International (LB&I) released information regarding the Swiss Bank Program Campaign. The program allows Swiss financial institutions to provide information on the U.S. persons with beneficial ownership of foreign financial accounts. The campaign will address noncompliance of such taxpayers.

May 20, 2020:  The IRS announced that Andy Keyso has been selected to serve as the Chief of the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, the IRS announced. For more information on Mr. Keyso and IRS Appeals, see our write-up here.

May 21, 2020:  The IRS announced that the 2020 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums will be held virtually in 2020 with a series of live-streamed webinars beginning this July. The 2020 Nationwide Tax Forums will begin on July 21 and continue through August 20.

May 22, 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.