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Weekly IRS Roundup December 11 – December 15, 2023

by Evan Walters | Dec 20, 2023 | IRS Guidance, Tax Reform, Tax Refunds

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of December 11, 2023 – December 15, 2023.

December 11, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-50, which includes the following:

Proposed regulations that would update regulations under Internal Revenue Code (Code) §§ 267 and 707 to apply an entity approach to partnerships for purposes of applying loss limitation rules to related persons. The proposed regulations are intended to conform the existing regulations to current law. Comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by February 26, 2024.
Proposed regulations that relate to the calculation of foreign currency gains and losses under Code § 987. The proposed regulations include a current rate election, which would treat all balance sheet items as marked items and would require that income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to a qualified business unit be translated at a yearly average exchange rate. The proposed regulations also include an annual recognition election, which would trigger all items of income, gain, loss and deduction on an annual basis. Comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by February 12, 2024.

December 11, 2023: The IRS issued Notice 2023-80, which announces the intention to issue proposed regulations that address the application of the foreign tax credit (FTC) and dual consolidated losses in relation to the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) Model Rules. The notice also (i) extends the temporary relief period described in Notice 2023-55 for determining whether a foreign tax is eligible for an FTC pursuant to §§ 901 and 903 and (ii) addresses application of the temporary relief with respect to partnerships and their partners.

December 11, 2023: The IRS urged taxpayers to take certain important actions to help them file their 2023 federal income tax return for the upcoming filing season, including (i) making quarterly payments by January 16, 2024, if required, (ii) gathering 2023 tax documents, (iii) considering whether to file electronically and choosing direct deposit to expedite tax refunds, and (iv) reviewing energy-related credits. The IRS also reminded taxpayers that they can now view their IRS account transcripts online and should not rely on receiving refunds by a certain date.

December 13, 2023: The IRS announced plans for a new leadership structure at the agency that will feature a single deputy IRS Commissioner and four new IRS chief executive positions to cover taxpayer service, compliance, information technology and operations.

December 13, 2023: The IRS published Tax Tip 2023-126, which states that business taxpayers can electronically file any Form 1099 series information returns for free with the IRS Information Returns Intake System.

December 14, 2023: The US Department of the Treasury and the IRS issued proposed regulations on the § 45X advanced manufacturing production credit. The proposed [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup January 23 – January 27, 2023

by Sarah M. Raben | Jan 30, 2023 | IRS Guidance, Tax Reform, Tax Refunds

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of January 23, 2023 – January 27, 2023.

January 23, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-4, which highlights the following:

Proposed Regulation 114666-22: This proposed regulation modifies the participant election rules in Section 1.401(a)-21(d), providing an alternative to in-person witnessing of spousal consents required to be witnessed by a notary public or plan representative. The proposed regulation also clarifies that certain rules for the use of an electronic medium for participant elections also apply to spousal consents.

January 23, 2023: The IRS is requesting comments concerning Form 5227, Split-Interest Trust Information Return, which is used to report the financial activities of a split-interest trust described in Section 4947(a)(2) and determine whether the trust is treated as a private foundation and thus subject to excise taxes. Written comments should be received by March 24, 2023.

January 23, 2023: The IRS announced the beginning of the 2023 tax filing season, with a focus on improving customer service. The IRS also urged taxpayers to file their returns electronically with direct deposit to expedite refunds and avoid delays. The deadline for most people to file tax returns this year is April 18, 2023, however, storm victims in Alabama, California and Georgia have until May 15, 2023.

January 23, 2023: The IRS is requesting comments related to proceeds of bonds used for reimbursement. This regulation clarifies when the allocation of bond proceeds to reimburse expenditures previously made by an issuer of the bond is treated as an expenditure of the bond proceeds. Written comments should be received by March 24, 2023.

January 23, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-06, which provides information about the adoption tax credit for families with adoption-related expenses. Taxpayers must complete Form 8839 to claim the credit and attach it to their tax return.

January 24, 2023: The IRS reminded taxpayers that they must answer a digital asset question and report all digital asset-related income when filing their 2022 federal income tax return. This is the same procedure as fiscal year 2021. The term “digital assets” has replaced “virtual currencies,” which was a term used in previous years. The question appears at the top of Forms 1040, Individual Income Tax Return; 1040-SR, U.S. Tax Return for Seniors; and 1040-NR, U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return.

January 24, 2023: The IRS reminded taxpayers to choose their tax preparer carefully. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for all the information on their income tax return, regardless of who prepares it. Anyone who is paid to prepare federal tax returns must have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number.

January 24, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-07, urging taxpayers to avoid common mistakes when filing their tax returns by carefully reviewing them. [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup September 19 – September 23, 2022

by McDermott Will & Emery | Sep 26, 2022 | IRS Guidance, Tax Reform, Tax Refunds

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of September 19, 2022 – September 23, 2022.

September 19, 2022: The IRS updated information on the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC), including information on the pre-screening and certification process. The WOTC is available to employers who hire designated categories of workers facing significant barriers to employment. Form 8850, Pre-Screening Notice and Certification Request for the Work Opportunity Credit, must be completed by the job applicant and the employer on or before the day of the job offer to satisfy the pre-screen requirement.

September 19, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-143, reminding people that every taxpayer has the right to retain representation when they work with the IRS, including the right to seek assistance from the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.

September 20, 2022: The IRS announced that it has selected eight new members for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee. The committee’s main goal is to promote paperless filing of tax and information returns. The following individuals have been appointed for three-year terms on the committee, starting in September:

Austin Emeagwai, CPA, Ph.D.; Collierville, Tennessee
Jerry Gaddis, EA, MBA; Winter Haven, Florida
Nikia Gainey; Orlando, Florida
Robert Gettemy;Marion, Iowa
Argi O’Leary; Voorheesville, New York
Hallie Parchman; Austin, Texas
RaeAnn Pilarski; Tucson, Arizona
Keith Richardson; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

September 20, 2022: The IRS announced that Hurricane Fiona victims in Puerto Rico now have until February 15, 2023, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments. The relief is available in all 78 Puerto Rican municipalities, which are designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

September 20, 2022: The IRS released Notice 2022-40, which provides updates on the corporate bond monthly yield curve and corresponding spot segment rates and the 24-month average segment rates for September 2022. The notice also provides guidance as to interest rates on 30-year Treasury securities and the 30-year Treasury weighted average rates.

September 20, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-144, recommending that people use caution when choosing a tax preparer since tax preparers have different levels of skill, education and expertise.

September 21, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-145, describing the different types of authorizations for third-party representatives. The options include:

Power of Attorney: This allows someone to represent a taxpayer in tax matters before the IRS. The representative must be an individual authorized to practice before the IRS.
Tax Information Authorization: This allows a taxpayer to appoint anyone to review or receive a taxpayer’s confidential tax information for a specified type of tax for a specified period.
Third-Party Designee: This designates a person on a taxpayer’s tax form to discuss that specific tax return and year with the IRS.
Oral Disclosure: This authorizes the [...]

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