Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of February 1, 2021 – February 5, 2021. Additionally, for continuing updates on the tax impact of COVID-19, please visit our resource page here.

February 4, 2021: The IRS published Rev. Proc. 2021-15 providing a safe harbor for eligible educators to treat unreimbursed expenses paid or incurred after March 12, 2020, for COVID-19 protective items to stop the spread of COVID-19 in the classroom.

February 5, 2021: The IRS announced that Heather C. Maloy would replace Lia Colbert as the director of the Taxpayer First Act Office.

February 5, 2021: The IRS issued a news release reminding taxpayers to avoid “ghost” tax return preparers who refuse to sign tax returns they prepare.

February 5, 2021: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

February 6, 2021: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2021-6, dated February 8, 2021, containing the following highlights: Notice 2021-6 (Administrative); Notice 2021-11(Administrative; Employment Tax); Notice 2021-12 (Income Tax); Rev. Proc. 2021-11 (Income Tax); Rev. Rul. 2021-4 (Income Tax); TD 9946 (Income Tax); TD 9947 (Income Tax); TD 9948 (Income Tax); Notice 2021-8 (Income Tax; Administrative); Notice 2021-13 (Income Tax; Administrative).

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