Significant Decline in IRS Staff Leads to Fewer Audits
News:
The IRS plans to expend 18% fewer staff hours auditing large businesses with assets of more than $10 million in fiscal year 2013.
Published on April 12, 2013
Accounting Software
Overview:
Small businesses frequently use accounting software to maintain proper records as required by the IRS. If they are audited, they may have to turn over electronic files to the IRS that are not relevant to the request and may...
Published on April 23, 2013
AICPA Second Visitation Letter
Legislative Letters:
...Employed Division, expressing the AICPA's concern over the rollout of the IRS's program to send letters to tax return preparers and visit their offices to inspect client records. The AICPA
Published on December 22, 2010
AICPA Tells IRS Preparers Deserve More Info, Clarity on 2011 Office Visits
Comment Letter:
In a December 22 letter to the IRS Small Business Commissioner, Patricia A. Thompson, chair of AICPA’s Tax Committee, reiterated AICPA’s many concerns about the broad scope of the Preparer Letters and Visitation program.
Published on January 28, 2011
IRS Issues Accounting Software Examination Guidance, Meets with AICPA
News:
...examiners on when to request backup files of taxpayers’ accounting software during an examination, what the limits are on reviewing those electronic files, and how examiners must safeguard those records
Published on September 12, 2011
Final Regs on EITC Due Diligence Issued
News:
The IRS issued final regulations governing the due-diligence requirements imposed on tax return preparers who prepare tax returns on which taxpayers claim the earned income tax credit.
Published on December 20, 2011
AICPA Expresses Concerns and Requests Review of Procedure Regarding Release of PTIN Holder Information
Article:
The AICPA’s Tax team has had, and continues to have, numerous conversations with IRS regarding its recent release of PTIN holder information.
Published on October 28, 2011
IRS Holds First Hearing on Real-Time Tax System
News:
The IRS held a public hearing to gather feedback on how to implement a system in which the IRS would match information on tax returns with data from third-party information returns during the processing of the return.
Published on December 09, 2011
IRS Raises Standard Mileage Rate for Second Half of 2011
News:
In response to rising gasoline prices, the IRS has raised the standard mileage rate for business use of an automobile from 51 cents per mile to 55½ per mile, effective July 1.
Published on June 24, 2011
IRS Postponements Related to Hurricane Irene
Article:
The IRS announced relief for taxpayers whose return preparers were affected by Hurricane Irene. The September 15 tax return due date is extended to September 22 for taxpayers whose return preparer is located in an area that was under an evacuation order or a severe weather warning because of Hurricane
Published on September 15, 2011
IRS Provides More Tax Relief to Victims of Hurricane Sandy
Guidance:
On Friday, November 2, 2012, the IRS issued IR-2012-83, providing more tax relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy. Various return filings and tax payment deadlines have been extended until February 2, 2013. Includes certain tax-exempt organizations filing Form 990 series returns. Also can include those organizations outside the disaster areas
Published on November 05, 2012
IRS Responds to AICPA Accounting Software Examination Letter
News:
The AICPA and IRS have corresponded regarding the AICPA’s concerns about the Service’s program to request the accounting software files of certain small business taxpayers under examination
Published on May 10, 2011
Basics of 2003 Offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative
Article:
On January 14, 2003, the IRS issued a revenue procedure (Rev. Proc. 2003-11) on an offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative (VCI) to give individuals using offshore credit cards or similar tax-avoidance schemes the chance to ""make things right"" in exchange for information on the promoters.
Published on May 11, 2012
The Basics of the Offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative (VCI) - 2003
Article:
On January 14, 2003, the IRS issued a revenue procedure (Rev. Proc. 2003-11) on an offshore Voluntary Compliance Initiative (VCI) to give individuals using offshore credit cards or similar tax-avoidance schemes the chance to ""make things right"" in exchange for information on the promoters.
Published on May 01, 2013
Trade Bills Pass Congress with Tax Provisions
News:
The EITC due diligence penalty will increase to $500 under a bill passed by Congress Oct. 12.
Published on October 14, 2011