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Weekly IRS Roundup November 18 – November 22, 2024

by , and | Dec 2, 2024 | ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of November 18, 2024 – November 22, 2024.

November 18, 2024: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2024-47, which includes the following:

  • Revenue Procedure 2024-41, which provides the unused housing credit carryover amounts allocated to qualified states under § 42(h)(3)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) for calendar year 2024.
  • Announcement 2024-37, which revokes the determination for specified organizations under Code § 501(c)(3) and stipulates that contributions made to said organizations by individual donors are no longer deductible under Code § 170(b)(1)(A).
  • Proposed regulations, which ensure that non-grandfathered group health plans and insurance issuers provide an accessible exceptions process for preventive services, allowing coverage without cost sharing if deemed medically necessary by an individual’s provider. The rules also require coverage of certain over-the-counter contraceptive items without a prescription and without cost sharing.

November 18, 2024: The IRS released Revenue Ruling 2024-25, which establishes the interest rates for tax overpayments and underpayments for the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2025, for corporations and individuals.

November 18, 2024: The IRS emphasized the importance of reporting tax-related fraud and protecting personal and financial information from scams and schemes and encouraged taxpayers to recognize red flags and utilize available IRS resources to report suspicious activities.

November 19, 2024: The IRS released proposed regulations and final regulations, which allow certain unincorporated organizations co-owning clean energy projects to opt out of partnerships and access refundable tax credits through elective pay under Code § 6417. This benefits unincorporated organizations and their members, including state and local governments and certain tax-exempt organizations, which previously could not utilize these credits because of little or no federal tax liability. The proposed regulations also provide the administrative requirements for unincorporated organizations opting out of partnership treatment.

November 22, 2024: 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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Weekly IRS Roundup July 8 – July 12, 2024

by , and | Jul 17, 2024 | ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of July 8, 2024 – July 12, 2024.

July 8, 2024: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2024-28, which includes, among other things:

  • Announcement 2024-28, which revokes the Internal Revenue Code (Code) 501(c)(3) determination for specified organizations and stipulates that contributions made to said organizations by individual donors are no longer deductible under Code § 170(b)(1)(A).

July 9, 2024: The IRS warned tax professionals about new and evolving scams targeting business and taxpayer information where identity thieves pose as new clients, use phishing emails and employ elaborate schemes involving calls and texts.

July 10, 2024: The IRS issued general guidelines for the registration process for the Code § 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit, as outlined in Notice 2024-29. These guidelines cover the application process and how claim procedures will operate when the clean fuel producer is a disregarded entity.

July 11, 2024: The IRS announced it has collected more than $1 billion in past-due taxes from high-net-worth individuals and will continue to monitor activities involving large corporations and partnerships and aircraft use.

July 11, 2024: The IRS warned car dealers and sellers about evolving phishing and smishing scams involving fraudulent attempts to trick recipients into clicking suspicious links, providing personal information or downloading malware. Dealerships are advised to remain vigilant and avoid unsolicited messages or links in emails and texts.

July 12, 2024: 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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Weekly IRS Roundup May 13 – May 17, 2024

by , and | May 24, 2024 | , ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of May 13, 2024 – May 17, 2024.

May 13, 2024: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2024-20, which includes proposed regulations concerning the excise tax on stock buybacks under § 4501 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code). The proposed regulations are generally consistent with the guidance previously provided in Notice 2023-2. The proposed regulations also include guidance on reporting and payment of the Code § 4501 excise tax.

May 14, 2024: The IRS announced that, contrary to recent reports, there will be no changes to Native American tribes’ access to federal tax payment offsets through state arrangements.

May 14, 2024: The IRS reminded US citizens and resident aliens living abroad to file and pay their taxes.

May 14, 2024: The IRS warned taxpayers not to fall for inaccurate social media advice and tax scams centered around the Fuel Tax Credit, the Sick and Family Leave Credit and household employment taxes that led taxpayers to file inflated refund claims during the 2023 tax season.

May 14, 2024: The IRS released census tract geographic identifiers that are eligible for Code § 30C using 2015 and 2020 delineations of census tract boundaries, which can be accessed at Appendix A and Appendix B, respectively.

May 15, 2024: The IRS reminded businesses to check their tax returns for signs of incorrect Employee Retention Credit (ERC) claims and listed signs that an ERC claim could be incorrect.

May 15, 2024: The IRS released Notice 2024-42, which specifies updated static mortality tables for defined benefit pension plans under Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) provisions for valuation dates occurring during the 2025 calendar year. The notice also includes a modified unisex version of the mortality tables for determining minimum present values under ERISA for distributions with annuity starting dates that occur during stability periods beginning in the 2025 calendar year.

May 15, 2024: The IRS released Revenue Ruling 2024-12, which provides the June 2024 applicable federal rates.

May 15, 2024: The IRS released Notice 2024-40, which provides the 24-month average corporate bond segment rates for May 2024, the yield curve and segment rates for single-employer plans and the 30-year Treasury securities interest rates.

May 16, 2024: The IRS released Notice 2024-41, which modifies Section 3.04 of Notice 2023-38 by revising the contents of the “Applicable Projects” list. The notice also provides a safe harbor under which taxpayers may elect to qualify for the domestic content bonus credit. Learn more here.

May 16, 2024: The IRS extended the deadline to file federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments for certain individuals and businesses in Ohio that [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup April 29 – May 3, 2024

by , and | May 7, 2024 | ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of April 29, 2024 – May 3, 2024.

April 29, 2024: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2024-18, which includes the following:

  • Notice 2024-33, which provides a limited waiver of the addition to tax under Section 6655 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) to the extent the addition to tax would be attributable to an underpayment of estimated corporate alternative minimum tax under Section 55 due April 15, 2024.
  • Notice 2024-34, which provides guidance on the corporate bond monthly yield curve, the corresponding spot segment rates used under Section 417(e)(3) of the Code, the 24-month average segment rates under Section 430(h)(2), the interest rate on 30-year Treasury securities under Section 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(II) as in effect for plan years beginning before 2008, and the 30-year Treasury weighted average rate under Section 431(c)(6)(E)(ii)(I).

April 29, 2024: The IRS issued Notice 2024-36, which provides guidance on the procedures for allocating credits under Section 48C and announces a second round of credits under Section 48C(e) for participation in the Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Credit program.

April 29, 2024: The IRS reminded small businesses to take advantage of the many tax resources available to them through the Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center on IRS.gov.

April 30, 2024: The IRS announced that it is accepting applications for Tax Counseling for the Elderly and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance grants, which allows eligible organizations to apply for annual funding to provide free federal tax return preparation assistance for up to three years.

April 30, 2024: The IRS issued Notice 2024-37, which provides additional guidance and safe harbors regarding sustainable aviation fuel credits under Sections 40B and 6426(k) of the Code.

May 1, 2024: The IRS warned taxpayers and tax professionals about common scams and schemes, including online account help from third-party scammers, phishing, unscrupulous tax return preparers, offer in compromise mills and employee retention credit scams.

May 1, 2024: The IRS encouraged entrepreneurs to put data security safeguards in place to protect their financial, personal and employee information from scams and cybercriminals.

May 1, 2024: The IRS reminded taxpayers that it provides relief when an emergency measures declaration is issued, supplementing governmental efforts to provide emergency services. The IRS also provides relief when a major disaster declaration offering “individual assistance” is issued, which allows individuals and households to apply to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for financial and direct services.

May 1, 2024: The IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2024-24, which outlines procedures for requesting private letter rulings involving “spin-off” transactions subject to Section 355. Notice 2024-38, issued in conjunction with Revenue Procedure 2024-24, requests feedback on these procedures.

May 1, 2024: The IRS reminded taxpayers to [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup November 27 – December 1, 2023

by | Dec 7, 2023 | ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of November 27, 2023 – December 1, 2023.

November 27, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-48, which includes Revenue Procedure 2023-34 and sets forth the annual inflation adjustments for various Internal Revenue Code provisions for tax year 2024. Also included are the tax rate schedules and other tax changes.

November 27, 2023: The IRS and Security Summit partners launched the eighth National Tax Security Awareness Week along with tips for taxpayers and tax professionals to avoid scams and protect sensitive personal information ahead of the upcoming 2024 filing season and throughout the year.

November 27, 2023: The IRS published Tax Tip 2023-124, which reminds taxpayers that the IRS has newsletters for a variety of tax topics and audiences.

November 27, 2023: The IRS published proposed regulations that would amend the rules applicable to plans that include cash or deferred arrangements under § 401(k) to provide guidance for long-term, part-time employees. Comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by January 26, 2024.

November 27, 2023: The IRS published proposed regulations that would update current regulations regarding whether certain persons are treated as related persons who are subject to certain special rules pertaining to transactions with partnerships. The proposed regulations would affect partnerships that enter into transactions with related persons that result in a gain or loss on a sale or exchange of property or result in a difference in the timing recognition of income and deductions on account of the persons’ different methods of accounting. Comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by February 26, 2024.

November 28, 2023: The IRS reminded tax professionals to protect themselves and their clients’ sensitive information, including by putting written security plans in place and by following new requirements to use multifactor authentication.

November 28, 2023: The IRS highlighted its continued support of international efforts to fight fraud and charity scams in light of Charity Fraud Awareness Week.

November 28, 2023: The IRS published Tax Tip 2023-125, which reminds paid tax return preparers to renew their Preparer Tax Identification Number via the online renewal process before it expires on December 31, 2023.

November 29, 2023: The IRS reminded taxpayers that they can get extra protection against identity theft during the 2024 tax season by joining the Identity Protection Personal Identification Number program.

November 30, 2023: The IRS urged businesses to remain vigilant against cyberattacks aimed at stealing their customers’ personal information and other business data.

December 1, 2023: The US Department of the Treasury and the IRS issued two guidances on the § 30D clean vehicle credit excluded entity restriction, as amended by the Inflation Reduction Act [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup April 24 – April 28, 2023

by | May 2, 2023 | , ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of April 24, 2023 – April 28, 2023.

April 24, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-17, which highlights the following:

  • REG 121709-19: This document provides proposed regulations regarding supervisory approval of penalties. The purpose is to address the uncertainty surrounding various aspects of supervisory approval of penalties due to recent judicial decisions.
  • Announcement 2023-12: This announcement informs taxpayers and practitioners that the IRS has revised Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method, and its instructions. This announcement also provides guidance to allow for a reasonable period for taxpayers to transition to the December 2022 Form 3115.
  • Announcement 2023-11: This announcement notifies the public that a proposed regulation identifies certain micro-captive transactions as “listed transactions” and certain other micro-captive transactions as “transactions of interest.”
  • Revenue Procedure 2023-12: This revenue procedure modifies specific language in Revenue Procedure 2023-5 to allow for the new electronic submission process of Form 8940, Request for Miscellaneous Determination. This revenue procedure also provides a 90-day transition relief period, during which paper Forms 8940 and letter applications will be accepted and processed by EO Determinations.
  • Notice 2023-30: This notice publishes the safe harbor deed language for extinguishment and boundary line adjustment clauses required by Section 605(d)(1). This notice also clarifies the process certain donors may use to amend an easement deed to substitute the safe harbor language for the corresponding language in the original deed.
  • Announcement 2023-07: This announcement informs federal civilian employees and other civilians who received certain reimbursement payments in 2022 and 2023 from the US Department of Defense for lodging, meals, and personal property damage expenses after the release of petroleum from the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on O‘ahu, Hawaii, that such payments are excludable from gross income for federal income tax purposes under Section 139.
  • REG 109309-22: These proposed regulations identify transactions that are the same as, or substantially similar to, certain micro-captive transactions as listed transactions and certain other micro-captive transactions as transactions of interest. The proposed regulations also provide guidance as to the reporting requirements for participants and material advisors to the transactions.

April 24, 2023: The IRS released Notice 2023-34, which provides that convertible virtual currency is treated as property for federal tax purposes and that general tax principles applicable to property transactions apply to transactions using convertible virtual currency. This notice modifies Notice 2014-21 by revising a sentence in the background section to remove the statement that virtual currency does not have legal tender status in any jurisdiction.

April 24, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-55, reminding taxpayers that they don’t need to panic when they get a letter [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup November 28 – December 2, 2022

by | Dec 5, 2022 | , ,

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of November 28, 2022 – December 2, 2022.

November 28, 2022: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2022-48, which highlights the following:

  • Notice 2022-59: This notice provides the adjusted applicable dollar amount to be multiplied by the average number of covered lives for purposes of calculating the fee imposed by Sections 4375 and 4376 for policy years and plan years that end on or after October 1, 2022, and before October 1, 2023. The amount is $3.00, up from $2.79.
  • Announcement 2022-23: This announcement notifies taxpayers of new credit amounts for calendar year 2022 for the renewable electricity production credit under Section 45, in the case of any qualified facility placed in service after December 31, 2021.

November 28, 2022: The IRS and Security Summit partners announced the kick-off date for the 7th National Tax Security Awareness Week. The group also urged people to be aware of holiday scams and to protect their personal information.

November 28, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-181, reminding taxpayers to be aware of gift card scammers during the holidays. One of the common scams used this time of year is con artists asking taxpayers to pay fake tax bills with gift cards. Scammers also sometimes use a compromised email account to request gift card purchases for family and friends.

November 29, 2022: The IRS warned taxpayers to be on alert for scammers using fake charities as a way to make money during the holiday season. The message came on Giving Tuesday as part of Nationwide Tax Security Awareness Week. Tips for avoiding fake charity scams include not giving into pressure, being wary of how donations are requested and not giving more than is needed.

November 29, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-182, reminding people that they may be eligible for more than one filing status. The IRS suggests that taxpayers review their options and pick the one that makes the most sense for them.

November 29, 2022: The IRS announced that interest rates will increase for the first quarter of 2023. The new interest rates, published in Revenue Ruling 2022-23, begin January 1, 2023, and are as follows:

  • Overpayments: 7%
  • Overpayments for corporations: 6%
  • Corporate overpayments for portion exceeding $10,000: 4.5%
  • Underpayments: 7%
  • Large corporate underpayments: 9%

November 29, 2022: The IRS announced that the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, along with the American Bar Association, held its first centralized National Virtual Settlement Event in October. Over the course of four days, 44 cases were settled and at least 59 meetings took place with taxpayers, pro bono attorneys and representatives from the IRS Office of Chief Counsel.

November 29, 2022: The IRS
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Weekly IRS Roundup November 21 – November 25, 2022

by | Nov 28, 2022 | , ,

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of November 21, 2022 – November 25, 2022.

November 21, 2022: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2022-47, which highlights the following:

  • Revenue Procedure 2022-40: This revenue procedure provides that a plan sponsor that maintains a Section 403(b) individually designed plan will be permitted to submit a determination letter application for an initial plan determination, for a determination upon plan termination and in certain other circumstances.
  • Announcement 2022-22: This announcement contains a correction to Notice 2022-41, which contained a typographical error in the first sentence of the “GUIDANCE” section. The sentence included a reference to a “non-calendar year” cafeteria plan but should instead refer to any cafeteria plan.
  • Revenue Ruling 2022-21: This revenue ruling provides that the base period T-bill rate for the period that ended September 30, 2022, is 1.71%.
  • Notice 2022-56: This notice requests comments related to the qualified commercial clean vehicles provisions and the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property.
  • Notice 2022-57: This notice requests comments related to the tax credit for carbon oxide sequestration.
  • Notice 2022-58: This notice requests comments related to the tax credit for the production of clean hydrogen and the clean fuel production credit.

November 21, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-178, reminding individuals that the amount they can contribute to their Section 401(k) plans in 2023 will increase to $22,500. All of the cost‑of‑living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2023 are included in Notice 2022-55.

November 21, 2022: The IRS released Notice 2022-62, which contains the 2022 Required Retirement Plan Amendments List. This list establishes the end of the remedial amendment period and the plan amendment deadline for changes in qualification requirements and Section 403(b) requirements set forth on the list for qualified individually designed plans and Section 403(b) individually designed plans, respectively.

November 22, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-179, providing guidelines to help keep online personal information safe. The tips include the following:

  • Always protect personal data
  • Only shop at reputable retailers
  • Use security software
  • Choose strong passwords and two-factor authentication
  • Know the risk of public Wi-Fi
  • Learn to recognize and avoid scams
  • Be aware of compromised accounts.

November 22, 2022: The IRS encouraged taxpayers to get ready to file their 2022 federal income tax returns by gathering records, renewing expired tax ID numbers and bookmarking online tools at IRS.gov.

November 22, 2022: The IRS issued proposed regulations related to the foreign tax credit, which provide guidance with respect to the reattribution asset rule for purposes of allocating and apportioning foreign taxes, the cost recovery requirement and the [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup October 10 – October 14, 2022

by | Oct 17, 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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