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Weekly IRS Roundup October 16 – October 20, 2023

by | Oct 23, 2023 | , ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of October 16, 2023 – October 20, 2023.

October 16, 2023: The IRS published Revenue Ruling 2023-20, which provides the November 2023 applicable federal rates.

October 16, 2023: The IRS announced that the deadline for 2022 income tax returns and payments for most California taxpayers has been postponed again until November 16, 2023. Because of natural disasters last winter, spring due dates were previously postponed to October 16, 2023. The list of localities eligible for the extension are available here.

October 16, 2023: Tax professionals can now access 18 self-study seminars that satisfy continuing education requirements for the federal tax law and ethics categories. The seminars can be accessed at Nationwide Tax Forums Online for a fee of $29 per seminar.

October 16, 2023: The IRS announced that it recently awarded $51 million in Tax Counseling for the Elderly and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance grants to organizations that provide free federal tax return preparation services.

October 16, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-42, which includes the following:

  • Notice 2023-65 provides guidance on the energy efficient home credit under Internal Revenue Code (Code) § 45L. It addresses who is eligible for the credit, how to determine the applicable amount of the credit, energy saving requirements, certification requirements and substantiation requirements.
  • Notice 2023-67 gives farmers and ranchers who were impacted by drought an extra year to replace livestock from forced sales and defer gains under Code § 1033(e).
  • Notice 2023-69 provides that any cash donations employers make to charitable organizations that provide relief to victims of the wildfires in Hawaii in exchange for sick, vacation, or personal leave that their employees forgo will not be treated as compensation. The notice also provides that these employees will not be treated as receiving the value of the leave as income and cannot claim a deduction for the leave that they donated to their employer. Employers may deduct these cash payments as a business expense or a charitable contribution deduction if the employer otherwise meets the respective requirements of the applicable sections of the Code.
  • Revenue Procedure 2023-35 provides that the IRS will not treat a redemption of a share in any money market fund as part of a wash sale under Code 1091.
  • Proposed regulations that provide guidance on how manufacturers, producers and importers of designated drugs will report excise tax liability under § 5000D. The proposed regulations also would except such excise tax from semimonthly deposit requirements.

October 18, 2023: The IRS released Notice 2023-70, which provides the adjusted applicable dollar amount to be multiplied by the average number of covered lives for purposes of calculating the fee imposed by §§ 4375 and [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup August 21 – September 1, 2023

by | Sep 5, 2023 | , ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for August 21, 2023 – September 1, 2023.[1]

August 21, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-102, warning tax professionals to be prepared for a variety of schemes aimed at stealing sensitive information, including phishing and attacks on cloud-based applications.

August 23, 2023: The IRS published Revenue Procedure 2023-29, providing the applicable percentage table used to calculate the premium tax credit under Section 36B.

August 24, 2023: The IRS reminded employers and employees that employers who have educational assistance programs can use those programs to help pay student loan obligations for their employees.

August 24, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-103, outlining the Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax and reminding truckers that the tax payment due date is the last day of the month following the month the vehicle was first used on public highways. Truckers must also file Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return, by such date.

August 25, 2023: The IRS published Revenue Ruling 2023-17, which provides guidance on the overpayment and underpayment rate of tax under Section 6621. The ruling includes a table of interest rates spanning from 1975 through the present.

August 25, 2023: The IRS published Notice 2023-62, which provides guidance on particular issues involving catch-up contributions to retirement plans that are eligible to be designated as Roth contributions.

August 25, 2023: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

August 28, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-104, explaining that eligible teachers and administrators can claim a tax deduction for part of the cost of technology, supplies and training to the extent those expenses are not reimbursed.

August 29, 2023: The IRS issued proposed regulations that would require brokers to report sales and exchanges of digital assets by customers. The proposed regulations contemplate the creation of new Form 1099-DA.

August 29, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-105, listing miscellaneous resources for military spouses who run businesses or do gig work.

August 30, 2023: The IRS issued proposed regulations, frequently asked questions and Publication 5855, which all relate to the increased tax credit or deduction amounts for clean energy facilities and projects if taxpayers satisfy certain prevailing wage and registered apprenticeship requirements.

August 30, 2023: The IRS announced that starting January 1, 2024, Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000, must be filed electronically. (See also FS-2023-19 (August 19, 2023).)

August 30, 2023: The IRS announced tax relief for individuals and businesses in parts of Florida affected by Hurricane Idalia. Currently, [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup August 14 – August 18, 2023

by | Aug 22, 2023 | , ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of August 14, 2023 – August 18, 2023.

August 14, 2023: The IRS published Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-33, which includes:

  • Revenue Procedure 2023-26, describing a program that provides an opportunity for fast-track processing of certain requests for letter rulings under the jurisdiction of the Associate Chief Counsel (Corporate), replacing the pilot program described in Revenue Procedure 2022-10, 2022-6 I.R.B. 473.
  • Proposed regulations that would amend the definition of short-term, limited-duration insurance, which is excluded from the definition of individual health insurance coverage under the Public Health Service Act, and provide guidance as to the requirements for hospital indemnity or other fixed indemnity insurance to be considered an excepted benefit in the group and individual health insurance markets. The proposed regulations would also clarify the tax treatment of certain benefit payments in fixed amounts received under employer-provided accident and health plans.
  • Revenue Ruling 2023-14, providing that, if a cash-method taxpayer receives cryptocurrency tokens as rewards for staking cryptocurrency native to a proof-of-stake blockchain, the fair market value of the rewards received should be included in the taxpayer’s gross income in the taxable year in which the taxpayer gains dominion and control over the rewards.

August 14, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-100, providing information to organizations applying for tax-exempt status, including that Form 1023 must now be submitted electronically, every tax-exempt organization needs an employer identification number, certain churches and ancillary organizations do not need to apply to be tax-exempt, different rules may apply depending on whether the organization is a private foundation or a public charity and charitable organizations must make certain information available to the public.

August 15, 2023: The IRS published Revenue Ruling 2023-16, which sets forth the applicable federal rates for September 2023.

August 15, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-101, informing taxpayers that, as part of their right to the finality of tax matters, they are entitled to know the maximum amount of time they have to challenge the IRS’s position on a matter, the maximum amount of time the IRS has to audit a particular tax year or collect a tax debt, when the IRS has finished an audit, that the IRS generally has three years from the date taxpayers file their returns (with exceptions) to assess any additional tax for that tax year and that the IRS generally has 10 years from the assessment date to collect unpaid taxes.

August 15, 2023: The IRS reminded eligible contractors who build or substantially reconstruct qualified new energy-efficient homes that they might qualify for a tax credit of up to $5,000 per home under Code Section 45L. The credit amount depends on the type of home, the home’s energy efficiency and the date when someone buys or leases [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup August 7 – August 11, 2023

by | Aug 14, 2023 | ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of August 7, 2023 – August 11, 2023.

August 7, 2023: The IRS published Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-32, which includes:

  • Notice 2023-53, setting forth updates on the corporate bond monthly yield curve and the corresponding spot segment rates for July 2023 used under Code Section 417(e)(3)(D); the 24-month average segment rates applicable for July 2023; and the 30-year Treasury rates, as reflected by the application of Code Section 430(h)(2)(C)(iv).
  • Proposed regulations that would rescind the moral objection exemption to providing contraceptive services in health plans subject to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and establish a new individual contraceptive arrangement that individuals enrolled in plans or coverage sponsored, arranged, or provided by objecting entities may use to obtain contraceptive services at no cost directly from a provider or facility that furnishes contraceptive services.
  • Final regulations that authorize the assessment and collection of erroneous refunds of various credits in the normal course of processing employment tax returns.
  • Announcement 2023-22, revoking tax-exempt status for certain organizations.
  • Notice 2023-55, providing temporary relief in defining a “foreign income tax” for purposes of Code Sections 901 and 903 for 2022 and 2023 tax years.
  • Revenue Ruling 2023-13, listing the applicable federal rates for August 2023.

August 7, 2023: The IRS reminded eligible contractors who build or substantially reconstruct qualified new energy-efficient homes that they might qualify for a tax credit of up to $5,000 per home under Code Section 45L. The credit amount depends on the type of home, the home’s energy efficiency and the date when someone buys or leases the home.

August 8, 2023: The IRS released part four of a five-part “Protect Your Client; Protect Yourself” summer series from the Security Summit, a public-private partnership that works to protect the tax system against tax-related identity theft and fraud. This publication provides information to help protect sensitive taxpayer data.

August 8, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-99, explaining the various ways in which scammers may impersonate the IRS, including by mail, electronically and even in person.

August 8, 2023: The IRS’s Large Business and International Division announced a compliance campaign focused on taxpayers who may have inflated their reported cost of goods sold to reduce their taxable income.

August 9, 2023: The IRS warned businesses and tax professionals to be aware of a range of compliance issues associated with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). The IRS indicated that it is aware of promoted arrangements using ESOPs that are potentially abusive. Such arrangements may include schemes where a business creates a “management” S corporation whose stock is wholly owned by an ESOP for the sole purpose of diverting taxable business income to the ESOP. The S [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup July 31 – August 4, 2023

by | Aug 9, 2023 | ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of July 31, 2023 – August 4, 2023.

July 31, 2023: The IRS released Revenue Ruling 2023-14, holding that a cash-method taxpayer who receives cryptocurrency units as validation rewards for staking cryptocurrency native to a proof-of-stake blockchain must include the fair market value of the validation rewards in its gross income for the tax year in which the taxpayer gains dominion and control over the validation rewards.

July 31, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-97, identifying tax considerations for couples who are separating or divorcing. These considerations include updating tax withholdings by completing a new Form W-4, recognizing alimony payments as income (or deducting) and excluding child support payments from income (or not deducting).

August 1, 2023: The IRS warned tax professionals to be on the lookout for phishing texts and emails and cloud-based attacks intended to steal taxpayer information.

August 2, 2023: The IRS announced that taxpayers will be able to submit all correspondence to the IRS and respond to IRS notices electronically. Further, taxpayers will be able to e-file 20 additional tax forms starting in 2024. By the 2025 filing season, an additional 150 non-tax forms will be available in digital, mobile-friendly formats, and the IRS will digitally process all paper-filed tax and information returns.

August 3, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-98, explaining that in most cases, revenue officers will contact taxpayers through appointment letters (Letter 725-B) to schedule a meeting and generally will not make unannounced visits. IRS.gov will be updated to reflect the new policy. Unannounced visits may still be made to serve summonses and subpoenas and in cases involving the seizure of assets where such assets are at risk of being placed beyond the reach of the government.

August 3, 2023: The IRS released proposed regulations that would prevent employee benefit plans and issuers from using nonquantitative treatment limitations to place greater limits on access to mental health and substance use disorder benefits as compared to medical/surgical benefits. Written comments on the proposed regulations are due October 2, 2023.

August 3, 2023: The IRS released proposed regulations that would identify certain monetized installment sale transactions and substantially similar transactions as listed transactions that must be reported to the IRS.

August 3, 2023: The IRS issued Notice 2023-59, which provides the requirements for home energy audits for taxpayers who want to claim the Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. The credit amount is equal to 30% of the total amount that taxpayers pay throughout the year for qualified energy efficiency improvements, residential energy property expenditures and home energy audits. The notice provides specific requirements for claiming the Home Energy Improvement Credit and details the process for conducting the home energy audit.

August 4, 2023: The IRS issued
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Weekly IRS Roundup June 5 – June 9, 2023

by | Jun 12, 2023 | , ,

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of June 5, 2023 – June 9, 2023.

June 5, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-23, which highlights the following:

  • Revenue Ruling 2023-11: This revenue ruling establishes that the following interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2023:
    • Overpayments: 7%
    • Overpayments for corporations: 6%
    • Corporate overpayments for portions exceeding $10,000: 4.5%
    • Underpayments: 7%
    • Large corporate underpayments: 9%
  • Notice 2023-41: This notice provides the applicable reference price for qualified natural gas production from qualified marginal wells during taxable years beginning in calendar year 2022 for the purpose of determining the marginal well production credit under Section 45I.
  • REG-108054-21: These proposed regulations provide guidance on the application of the transfer for valuable consideration rules under Section 101 and associated information reporting requirements for reportable policy sales of interests in life insurance contracts under Section 6050Y. The proposed regulations would amend the rules for exchanges of life insurance contracts qualifying for nonrecognition of gain or loss, as well as for certain acquisitions of interests in life insurance contracts in transactions that qualify as corporate reorganizations.
  • Revenue Ruling 2023-10: This revenue ruling provides the applicable federal rates for federal income tax purposes for June 2023. The short-term federal interest rate is 4.43%, the mid-term rate will drop to 3.56% and the long-term rate is 3.79%.

June 6, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-76, providing business taxpayers with tips for income tax deductions before they travel on work trips.

June 7, 2023: The IRS issued a statement reassuring California taxpayers covered by disaster declarations that they’ll continue to have an automatic extension to file and pay taxes. The IRS is legally required to send a Notice CP14 to taxpayers with a balance due. While the notice says they need to pay in 21 days, California taxpayers under the disaster declaration have until later this year to pay.

June 7, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-77, reminding tax professionals to register for the 2023 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums. Early registration expires June 15. See additional information below under Upcoming Events.

June 7, 2023: The IRS announced it was granting penalty relief for corporations that did not pay estimated tax related to the new corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT). Notice 2023-42 provides that the IRS will waive the penalty for failure to pay estimated income tax for a taxable year that begins after December 31, 2022, and before January 1, 2024, because of the challenges associated with determining the amount of a corporation’s CAMT liability and whether a corporation is subject to the CAMT.

June 7, 2023: The IRS reminded taxpayers of the 2023 mid-June [...]

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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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