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Weekly IRS Roundup June 20 – June 23, 2023

by | Jun 26, 2023 |

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the shortened week of June 20, 2023 – June 23, 2023. (June 19 is a federal holiday.)

June 20, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-25, which highlights:

  • Notice 2023-44: This notice provides more details for applicants seeking Section 48C credit allocations in the qualifying advanced energy project credit allocation program under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. See Appendix C of the notice.

June 20, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-83, highlighting a series of special events at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forum. The events include sessions on practice management, the taxpayer experience, cybersecurity and a town hall meeting with the National Taxpayer Advocate. Find more information about registration at the end of this post.

June 21, 2023: The IRS announced that National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins released her midyear report to Congress. The report noted that this year’s tax-return filing season ran smoothly, and she urged the IRS to prioritize technology upgrades for the upcoming fiscal year.

June 22, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-84, announcing that IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel will give the keynote address at the Atlanta session of the 2023 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum on July 25–27, providing tax professionals with multiple opportunities to learn more about changes to tax law and IRS transformation efforts. This will be Commissioner Werfel’s first appearance at the Nationwide Tax Forum.

June 23, 2023: The IRS released Notice 2023-37, which clarifies whether certain items and services are treated as preventive care under Section 223(c)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code. The guidance is in response to the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency and national emergency.

June 23, 2023: The IRS issued proposed regulations on how to construct the corporate bond yield curve (to derive the interest rates used in calculating present value and making other calculations under a defined benefit plan, as well as for discounting unpaid losses and estimated salvage recoverable of insurance companies). Written comments must be received by August 22, 2023.

June 23, 2023: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

Upcoming Events: Registration for the Nationwide Tax Forum is now open, and events are returning to an in-person format for the first time since 2019. The Nationwide Tax Forum is designed specifically for tax professionals (e.g., enrolled agents, certified public accountants, certified financial planners and Annual Filing Season Program participants), as well as uncredentialed tax professionals. The dates and locations are:

  • July 11–13: New Orleans, Louisiana
  • July 25–27: Atlanta, Georgia
  • August 8–10: National Harbor, Maryland (Washington, DC, area)
  • August 22–24: San Diego, California
  • August 29–31: Orlando, Florida


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Weekly IRS Roundup June 20 – June 24, 2022

by | Jun 29, 2022 | , ,

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of June 20, 2022 – June 24, 2022. Additionally, for continuing updates on the tax impact of COVID-19, please visit our resource page here.

June 20, 2022: The IRS announced that it’s on track to complete the processing of originally filed Form 1040s that were received in 2021 this week and that business paper returns also filed in 2021 will follow shortly thereafter. According to the announcement:

“IRS employees have been working tirelessly to process these tax returns as quickly as possible and help people who are waiting on refunds or resolution of an account issue,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “Completing the individual returns filed last year with no errors is a major milestone, but there is still work to do. We remain focused on doing everything possible to expedite processing of these tax returns, and we continue to add more people to this effort as our hiring efforts continue this summer.”

 

Rettig emphasized that adding sustained funding increases for the IRS will help the agency add more employees to process tax returns and answer phones as well as help improve technology and ensure fair enforcement of the tax laws.

 

“Taxpayers and tax professionals deserve the absolute highest-quality service from the nation’s tax system,” Rettig said. “Long-term and consistent funding for the agency is critical to ensuring the IRS is prepared for future tax seasons. It’s also critical for the IRS to be ready to answer the call for the nation during the next crisis, just as the agency did delivering three rounds of historic stimulus payments and advance Child Tax Credit payments during the pandemic.”

June 22, 2022: National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins released her statutorily mandated midyear report to US Congress. A highlight of the report is that concerns over continuing delays in the processing of paper-filed tax returns and the impact on taxpayer refunds are brought to light. The IRS issued a subsequent news release discussing the report.

June 23, 2022: The IRS advised taxpayers that more tax forms can now be amended electronically (with more enhancements planned for the future).

June 24, 2022: The IRS announced that it has issued frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding the reinstated Superfund chemical excise tax. The FAQs detail what the tax is, how it is computed and who may be liable for the tax.

June 24, 2022: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).



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National Taxpayer Advocate’s Report Highlights Tough Times for Tax Administration

by and | Jan 18, 2022 | , , , ,

On January 12, 2022, the National Taxpayer Advocate released a report to US Congress concerning the state of tax administration in 2021. The report highlights the struggles the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has been having in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, including how the IRS is substantially behind in processing returns, the breakdown of the IRS call center, delays in processing responses to IRS notices sent to taxpayers and a myriad of other issues. (There is indeed a backlog for processing millions of tax returns!)

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) can be a helpful and powerful tool for taxpayers looking to resolve their tax issues with the IRS. We have provided information on this resource in earlier submissions. (See Taxpayer Advocate Service: Not Just for Low-Income Taxpayers.)

Practice Point: For those who are having difficulties interacting with the IRS and unable to achieve reasonable or satisfactory responses or explanations, seeking assistance from TAS can go a long way in resolving tax issues. The process is free to taxpayers and starts with the filing of Form 911 with the appropriate TAS office. If you seek assistance in the near future, be mindful that TAS is currently flooded with requests for help but will work your case—if it meets the relevant criteria—as soon as possible. A dose of patience will be needed to work through this resource to obtain a successful resolution of your tax issue.



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Weekly IRS Roundup November 15 – November 19, 2021

by | Nov 24, 2021 | , ,

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of November 15, 2021 – November 19, 2021. Additionally, for continuing updates on the tax impact of COVID-19, please visit our resource page here.

November 15, 2021: The IRS published a news release announcing the launch of a new online tool designed to help US withholding agents comply with their reporting and withholding responsibilities with respect to IRS Form 1042-S, Foreign Person’s U.S. Source Income Subject to Withholding. The tool performs a quality review of data before submitting to the IRS. Use of the tool does not change a withholding agent’s obligations to file Form 1042-S with the IRS and furnish a copy to the payee.

November 15, 2021: The IRS published a news release announcing that victims of wildfires that began July 14, 2021, now have until January 3, 2022, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

November 16, 2021: The IRS published a news release announcing that, effective November 15, 2021, tax professionals are able to order up to 30 Transcript Delivery System transcripts per client through the Practitioner Priority Service line. This is an increase from the previous 10 transcripts per client limit.

November 16, 2021: The IRS published a news release regarding Notice 2021-63, which details how the temporary 100% business deduction for food or beverages from restaurants applies to taxpayers properly applying the rules of Revenue Procedure 2019-48 when using per diem rates.

November 17, 2021: The IRS published a news release announcing that victims of Hurricane Ida throughout Mississippi now have additional time—until January 3, 2022—to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

November 17, 2021: The Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) published a news release announcing its annual report for 2021, which includes recommendations to the IRS regarding new and continuing issues in tax administration. The 2021 report includes recommendations on 24 issues, covering a broad range of topics. The IRSAC is a federal advisory committee that provides an organized public forum for the discussion of relevant tax administration issues between IRS officials and representatives of the public. IRSAC members offer constructive observations regarding current or proposed IRS policies, programs and procedures.

November 17, 2021: The IRS published a news release announcing it unveiled a new how-to video series enabling taxpayers to avoid potential scams by considering and applying for an Offer in Compromise themselves and to avoid paying excessive fees to companies advertising outlandish claims.

November 17, 2021: The IRS published a news release announcing the launch of an improved identity verification and sign-in process that enables more people to securely access IRS online tools and applications.

November 17, 2021: The IRS’s National Taxpayer Advocate published a blog post indicating that US Congress [...]

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New Tax Appointments

by and | Feb 28, 2020 | ,

This has been a busy week in the tax appointments world, with the appointment of the new National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA), the reappointment of Chief Judge Foley as Chief Judge of the United States Tax Court (Tax Court), and the confirmation of Travis Greaves to the Tax Court.

On February 27, 2020, the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced the appointment of Erin M. Collins as the new NTA. Ms. Collins fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Nina Olson last summer. Ms. Collins spent 20 years as a Managing Director for KPMG’s Tax Controversy Practices for the Western Area and was an IRS Chief Counsel attorney for 15 years.

On February 24, 2020, the Tax Court announced the re-election of Chief Judge Foley to a 2-year term starting June 1, 2020. Chief Judge Foley was originally elected as Chief Judge effective June 1, 2018.

Finally, the Senate confirmed Travis Greaves to be a Judge of the Tax Court for a 15-year term. For our prior post on Mr. Greaves’ nomination by the White House, see here. Two other nominees, Alina Ionescu and Christian Weiler, are currently awaiting action by the Senate Finance Committee.



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NTA Announces Date and Location for 4th International Conference on Taxpayer Rights

by | Oct 26, 2018 |

The National Taxpayer Advocate recently announced that the 4th International Conference on Taxpayer Rights will be held May 23 – 24, 2019, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The purpose of conference is to connect government officials, scholars and practitioners from around the world to explore how taxpayer rights globally serve as the foundation for effective tax administration. The theme for the 2019 conference will be the role of taxpayer rights in the digital age and the implications of the expanding digital environment for transparency, certainty and privacy in tax administration. Presentations and paper proposals on range of topics are being sought, and the deadline to submit a proposal is December 1, 2018.

Prior conferences have been held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Vienna, Austria and Washington, DC Conference. Archived materials for the prior conferences can be found here.

We previously attended and participated in the Amsterdam and Vienna conferences. For our posts on these conferences, see below:



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Taxpayer Bill of Rights | Another Tool for Taxpayers?

by | Mar 13, 2018 | , ,

In 2015, after repeated efforts by Nina E. Olson, the National Taxpayer Advocate, Congress enacted the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TBOR) in Internal Revenue Code (Code) Section 7803(a)(3). We have previously written about TBOR here, here and here.

Since TBOR was enacted, the IRS has issued information on its website regarding the 10 rights contained in Code Section 7803(a)(3). The IRS provides a summary of these rights. Additionally, the IRS has provided specific information on these rights. To summarize, the 10 rights are:

  1. The right to be informed.
  2. The right to quality services.
  3. The right to pay no more than the correct amount of tax.
  4. The right to challenge the position of the Internal Revenue Service and be heard.
  5. The right to appeal a decision of the Internal Revenue Service in an independent forum.
  6. The right to finality.
  7. The right to privacy.
  8. The right to confidentiality.
  9. The right to retain representation.
  10. The right to a fair and just tax system.

(more…)



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National Taxpayer Advocate Releases 2017 Annual Report to Congress

by | Jan 12, 2018 | ,

On January 10, 2018, the National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina E. Olson released her 2017 Annual Report to Congress. (For our coverage of the 2016 Annual Report, see here). The NTA also released the inaugural “Purple Book,” which “is a compendium of 50 legislative recommendations for strengthening taxpayer rights and improving tax administration that we and others have made over the years.” We will be reviewing the 2017 Annual Report and the Purple Book in the coming days for items of interest.

Practice Point: The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), an independent organization within the IRS, is an excellent (and often underutilized) resource for individual and corporate taxpayers who may be at a standstill with the Internal Revenue Service—especially on a technical, administrative or “red-tape” issue. Taxpayers of all shapes and sizes should consider, where appropriate, utilizing the TAS in appropriate circumstances where they are encountering delays in the administration of their tax disputes



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Taxpayer Rights Around the World (Follow-Up)

by | May 4, 2017 | , , ,

We previously wrote two blog posts about the 2nd International Conference on Taxpayer Rights held in Vienna, Austria in March 2017 here and here. Videos of each panel discussion are now available for viewing here. Planning is currently underway for the 3rd International Conference on Taxpayer Rights, which will be held in The Netherlands on May 3-4.



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