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Weekly IRS Roundup October 31 – November 4, 2022

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of October 31, 2022 – November 4, 2022.

October 31, 2022: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2022-44, which highlights the following:

  • Treasury Decision 9966: These final regulations increase the renewal user fee for enrolled retirement plan agents from $67 to $140 and also increase both the enrollment and renewal of enrollment user fees for enrolled agents from $67 to $140.
  • Proposed Regulations 113068-22: These proposed regulations relate to recordkeeping and reporting requirements for the average income test for purposes of the low-income housing credit.
  • Revenue Ruling 2022-19: This revenue ruling provides a rule for valuing noncommercial flights on employer-provided aircraft, including the three Standard Industry Fare Level (SIFL) rates: the Unadjusted SIFL Rate, the SIFL Rate Adjusted for PSP Grants, and the SIFL Rate Adjusted for PSP Grants and Promissory Notes.
  • Treasury Decision 9967: This document contains final and temporary regulations, which set forth guidance on the average income test for purposes of the low-income housing credit.

October 31, 2022: The IRS released COVID Tax Tip 2022-166, announcing that more than nine million people may qualify for tax benefits they did not claim by filing a 2021 federal income tax return. Many of these people may be eligible to claim some or all of the 2021 Recovery Rebate Credit, the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit, among others, which were expanded last year under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and other legislation.

November 1, 2022: The IRS released COVID Tax Tip 2022-167, alerting taxpayers in areas covered by certain Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster declarations that they may have more time to file their returns and may qualify for penalty relief under Notice 2022-36.

November 2, 2022: The IRS released COVID Tax Tip 2022-168, reminding people to review their tax withholdings to avoid tax surprises, such as a balance due or a larger-than-expected refund.

November 3, 2022: The IRS requested comments on three notices related to different aspects of extensions and enhancements of energy tax benefits in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The IRS hopes that comments will aid the agency in drafting the related guidance items. Feedback should be submitted by December 3, 2022. The notices include:

  • Notice 2022-56, which requests comments related to the qualified commercial clean vehicles provisions and the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property
  • Notice 2022-57, which requests comments related to the carbon capture tax credit
  • Notice 2022-58, which requests comments related to the tax credit for the production of clean hydrogen and the clean fuel production tax credit.

November 3, 2022: The IRS
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Weekly IRS Roundup October 24 – October 28, 2022

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of October 24, 2022 – October 28, 2022.

October 24, 2022: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2022-43, which highlights the following:

  • Revenue Procedure 2022-31: This procedure provides guidance on the development, printing and approval of 2022 substitute tax forms.
  • Revenue Procedure 2022-37: This procedure provides the amounts of unused housing credit carryovers allocated to qualified states under Section 42(h)(3)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code for calendar year 2022.
  • Notice 2022-41: This notice expands the application of permitted change-in-status rules for health coverage under a Section 125 cafeteria plan. Specifically, this notice addresses when a plan participant may want to revoke an employee’s election under the cafeteria plan for family coverage under a group health plan (other than a flexible spending arrangement) in order to allow one or more family members to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan through a Health Insurance Exchange in the individual market.
  • Notice 2022-46: This notice requests comments on tax credits for clean vehicles.
  • Notice 2022-47: This notice requests comments on energy security tax credits for manufacturing.
  • Notice 2022-48: This notice requests comments on incentive provisions for improving the energy efficiency of residential and commercial buildings.
  • Notice 2022-49: This notice requests comments on certain energy generation incentives.
  • Notice 2022-50: This notice requests comments on the elective payment of applicable credits and the transfer of certain credits.
  • Notice 2022-51: This notice requests comments on prevailing wage, apprenticeship, domestic content and energy community requirements under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.
  • Notice 2022-52: This notice provides additional temporary relief from certain requirements under Section 42 by extending the placed-in-service deadlines for qualified low-income housing projects. The notice is a result of numerous inquiries received related to labor and supply chain disruptions delaying the construction, rehabilitation and restoration of properties.

October 24, 2022: The IRS reminded taxpayers who sell goods and provide services that they may receive a Form 1099-K, Payment Card and Third-Party Network Transactions, for transactions that amount to more than $600 for the year. Income from part-time work and side jobs is taxable, and taxpayers must report all their income unless it is excluded by law. Money received from friends and relatives as personal gifts or reimbursements for expenses is not taxable.

October 24, 2022: The IRS released COVID Tax Tip 2022-162, providing information related to early withdrawals from retirement funds.

October 25, 2022: The IRS reminded farmers, ranchers and farm workers that they can find ag-related tax information on IRS.gov.

October 26, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-164, advising [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup October 17 – October 21, 2022

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of October 17, 2022 – October 21, 2022.

October 17, 2022: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2022-42, which highlights the following:

  • Notice 2022-45: This notice extends the deadline for amending an eligible retirement plan to reflect the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020 (Relief Act). Both allow for special tax treatment with respect to a coronavirus-related distribution or a qualified disaster distribution.
  • Notice 2022-43: This notice provides guidance regarding the extension of the four-year replacement period for livestock sold because of the drought. The relief extends to 44 states, two US territories and two independent nations. It generally applies to capital gains realized on sales of livestock held for draft, dairy or breeding purposes.

October 17, 2022: The IRS announced its continued support to fight fraud targeting charities, businesses and individuals during Charity Fraud Awareness Week, which was October 17 to October 21. The IRS estimates that charities lose 5% of their revenue each year to fraud.

October 17, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-158, reminding taxpayers to review their withholdings and estimated tax payments.

October 17, 2022: The IRS released Revenue Ruling 2022-20, providing various prescribed rates for federal income tax purposes for November 2022.

October 17, 2022: The IRS released Notice 2022-54, which provides guidance on the corporate bond monthly yield curve and corresponding spot segment rates and the 24-month average segment rates for October 2022. The notice also provides guidance as to interest rates on 30-year Treasury securities and 30-year Treasury weighted average rates.

October 17, 2022: The IRS reminded families that they may be eligible for the Child Tax Credit if they claim at least one child as their dependent. The IRS specifically urges grandparents, foster parents or people caring for siblings or other relatives to check whether they are eligible to receive the 2021 Child Tax Credit.

October 18, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-159, suggesting that taxpayers with an outstanding tax bill consider making an Offer in Compromise. An Offer in Compromise is an option for taxpayers who cannot pay their full tax liabilities or in situations where paying the balance would create financial hardship.

October 18, 2022: The IRS announced the 2023 annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, including the tax rate schedules and other tax changes. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is extending certain tax breaks related to energy for the first time in 2023. The standard deduction for a married couple filing jointly and single and married taxpayers filing separately is also increasing. All of the 2023 adjustments can be found in
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Weekly IRS Roundup October 10 – October 14, 2022

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of October 10, 2022 – October 14, 2022. 

October 11, 2022: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2022-41, which highlights the following:

  • Notice 2022-42: This notice announces that the IRS and the US Department of the Treasury (Treasury) intend to amend the regulations under Section 901 with respect to the application of the noncompulsory payment regulations to certain amended Puerto Rico tax decrees.
  • Notice 2022-44: This notice provides annual awareness of the 2022-2023 special per diem rates for taxpayers to use when substantiating the amount of business expenses incurred while traveling away from home. The guidance addresses (1) the special transportation industry meal and incidental expenses rates, (2) the rate for the incidental expenses only deduction and (3) the rates and list of high-cost localities for purposes of the high-low substantiation method.
  • Revenue Procedure 2022-19: This revenue procedure provides guidance to allow S corporations and their shareholders to resolve frequently encountered issues with certainty and without requesting a private letter ruling issued by the IRS.

October 11, 2022: The IRS issued Notice 2022-41, which expands the application of permitted change-in-status rules for health coverage under a Section 125 cafeteria plan. This guidance addresses when a plan participant may want to revoke the employee’s election under the cafeteria plan for family coverage under a group health plan (other than a flexible spending arrangement) in order to allow one or more family members to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan through a Health Insurance Exchange in the individual market.

October 11, 2022: The IRS announced that seminars from the 2022 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum are now available online. The platform offers 18 self-study seminars, including ones on the following topics:

  • IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig’s Keynote Address
  • Tax Law Changes for Tax Year 2022 – in English and Spanish
  • Professional Responsibility Obligations (Ethics) – in English and Spanish
  • Tax Treatment of Digital Assets
  • Tax-Exempt Organizations Update
  • Emerging Cyber Crimes – in English and Spanish

October 11, 2022: The IRS announced that it is expanding dyed diesel penalty relief in response to Hurricane Ian. The IRS will not impose a penalty when dyed diesel fuel with a sulfur content that does not exceed 15 parts-per-million is sold for use or used on highways in the state of Florida. The relief began on September 28, 2022, and lasts through October 19, 2022. The penalty relief previously only applied to emergency vehicles.

October 11, 2022: The IRS issued a statement related to uncertain tax positions (UTP) reporting. Draft changes to the Schedule UTP and the UTP instructions are available at Draft Task Forms. The draft changes are intended to improve the form’s usefulness by incorporating additional relevant examples and [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup September 12 – September 16, 2022

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of September 12, 2022 – September 16, 2022.

September 12, 2022: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2022-37, which highlights the following:

  • Treasury Decision 9965: These regulations establish certain requirements regarding the implementation of protections against balance billing provided under the No Surprise Act.
  • Notice 2022-37: This guidance assists taxpayers in complying with the final regulations under Section 871(m). The US Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the IRS intend to amend Section 871(m) regulations, which will delay the effective date of certain rules in the final regulations and extend the phase-in period provided in Notice 2020-2 for two years.

September 12, 2022: The IRS released COVID Tax Tip 2022-139, reminding taxpayers of recently issued Notice 2022-36, which provides penalty relief from certain failure to file penalties in taxable years 2019 and 2020. The relevant penalties will be waived, abated, refunded or credited. The relief is designed to help struggling taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and to allow the IRS to focus resources on processing backlogged tax returns and taxpayer correspondence.

September 12, 2022: The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) released the Fiscal Year 2022 Statutory Review of Compliance With Notice of Federal Tax Lien Filing Due Process Procedures. TIGTA is required to determine annually whether lien notices issued by the IRS comply with the legal requirements set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. TIGTA recommended that the Director of Collection Policy for the Small Business/Self-Employed Division (1) reinforce Internal Revenue Manual (IRM) guidance to ensure that taxpayers’ representatives are notified of Notice of Federal Tax Lien filings and (2) correct an IRM reference on Written Communication to a Taxpayer’s Authorized Representative. The IRS agreed.

September 12, 2022: TIGTA released its report entitled, Reliance on Self-Certifications Resulted in Federal Agencies Awarding Contracts and Grants to Entities With Delinquent Federal Taxes; However, the IRS Is Making Progress on Establishing the Federal Contractor Tax Check System. TIGTA performed this audit because in Calendar Years 2015 and 2016, federal contracts were awarded to thousands of contractors with unpaid taxes that were most likely delinquent. Between October 2018 and December 2019, the federal government awarded 2.1 million federal contracts to more than 83,000 awardees. More than 3,000 contractors that received contracts owned $621.8 million in delinquent federal taxes, and 938 grantees received $22.7 billion in federal grants while owning $269.2 million in delinquent federal taxes.

September 12, 2022: The IRS issued minor corrections to Treasury Decision 9964, originally published August 16, 2022. The regulations define guidance for states regarding the process by which they may obtain or inspect certain returns and return information for the purpose of administering state laws governing certain tax-exempt organizations and their activities.

September [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup September 6 – September 9, 2022

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of September 6, 2022 – September 9, 2022.

September 6, 2022: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2022-36, which highlights the following:

  • Notice 2022-36: This guidance provides relief from certain failure to file penalties with respect to the 2019 and 2020 tax years. The IRS is refunding $1.2 billion in penalties for 1.6 million taxpayers, which will be waived, abated, refunded or credited. The relief is designed to help struggling taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and to allow the IRS to focus resources on processing backlogged tax returns and taxpayer correspondence.
  • Notice 2022-35: This notice provides updates on the corporate bond monthly yield curve, the corresponding segment rates, the 24-month average corporate bond segment rates, the 25-year average segment rates and the 30-year Treasury securities interest rates.
  • Revenue Ruling 2022-17: This ruling provides the federal rates, adjusted federal rates, adjusted federal long-term rate and the long-term tax-exempt rate for September 2022.

September 6, 2022: The IRS reminded taxpayers who pay estimated taxes that the deadline to submit their third quarter payments is September 15, 2022. Taxpayers not subject to withholding may need to make quarterly estimated payments, including those who are self-employed, investors, or retirees or those with other income not subject to withholding, such as interest, dividends, capital gains, alimony, cryptocurrency and rental income.

September 6, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-136, explaining common tricks and scams that lead to identity theft. The IRS also suggested a few steps to help protect data, which include:

  • Using multifactor authentication to protect client accounts
  • Allowing anti-virus software to update automatically
  • Using drive encryption and regularly backing up files to help stop theft and ransomware attacks.

September 7, 2022: The IRS is seeking comments on regulations that provide guidance on proving delivery for documents with a filing deadline, specifically in cases where there is no direct proof. The IRS is inviting comments on (1) whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the burden of the collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information collected; (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents; and (5) estimates of capital or start-up costs and costs of operation, maintenance and purchase of services to provide information. The comment window closes on November 7, 2022.

September 7, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-137, highlighting the work opportunity tax credit for businesses looking to hire help. The credit encourages employers to hire workers certified as members of any of the 10 groups identified as facing barriers [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup March 8 – March 12, 2021

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of March 8, 2021 – March 12, 2021. Additionally, for continuing updates on the tax impact of COVID-19, please visit our resource page here.

March 11, 2021: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2021-11, dated March 15, 2021, containing the following highlights: Notice 2021-20 (Employment Tax); Notice 2021-18 (Income Tax) and Notice 2021-19 (Income Tax).

March 12, 2021: The IRS updated its campaign list to add a new campaign for compliance with section 179D and to retire the campaign for the proper treatment of economic development incentives.

March 12, 2021: The IRS issued a Practice Unit on selling a partnership interest, covering areas such as: (1) ownership changes on sale of interest to a new or existing partner; (2) proper reporting of gain; (3) section 751 assets; (4) section 1250 assets and (5) section 754 elections.

March 12, 2021: The IRS requested comments on Form 1099-C (Cancellation of Debt) regarding cancellation of debt and removal of the 36-month non-payment testing period rule.

March 12, 2021: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

Special thanks to Samuel DiPietro in our Chicago office for this week’s roundup.




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GAO Reports on IRS Guidance Procedures

The United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report regarding how the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) communicates tax guidance to the public.This report was prepared following bipartisan requests from members of both houses of Congress.

The GAO report: (1) analyzed documents that defined IRS guidance types; (2) reviewed the IRS’s policies and procedures for issuing guidance; (3) reviewed literature on the IRS’s issuance of guidance; (4) interviewed individuals at relevant government and tax practitioner organizations; and (5) reviewed IRS guidance issued during 2013 through 2015. Below is a chart included in the GAO report that illustrates various forms of guidance, and the weight that the IRS says attaches to each.

GAO blog post

The GAO found that the IRS uses many different forms of guidance to communicate its interpretation of tax laws to the public, but considers only the Internal Revenue Bulletin (IRB) guidance to be authoritative. The IRS’s statement that only IRB guidance is authoritative could be considered an oversimplification. We previously wrote (here, here, and here) about how deference principles may apply to various forms of guidance.

The GAO found further that while the IRS has detailed procedures for identifying, prioritizing, and issuing new guidance, the IRS lacks procedures for documenting the decision about what form of guidance to issue.

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