In the blogs: In plain sight

Tax traps; women in the profession; checking out; and other highlights from our favorite tax bloggers.

In plain sight

• Tax Vox (https://www.taxpolicycenter.org/taxvox): As Congress fights its latest battle over federal spending and observers wonder whether Washington will shutter, keep your eye on policy changes buried in the House Appropriations Committee's spending bill. One is a provision that effectively would allow corporations to continue to hide important details about how much they pay in taxes to federal, state and local authorities in the U.S. and to foreign governments. 
• Current Federal Tax Developments (https://www.currentfederaltaxdevelopments.com/): As tax pros at long last get to see what tips qualify for a tax-free extravaganza, the nuances of these proposed regs are essential for advising clients. Technical breakdown of the proposed rules, including the legislative mandate for their issuance, key definitional provisions, the methodology for identifying eligible occupations and applicability dates.
• Tax Foundation (https://taxfoundation.org/blog): "U.S. Effective Tax Rates Remain Highly Progressive, Despite Some Economists' Claims."
• Taxpayer Advocate Service (https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/taxnews-information/blogs-nta/): Why is getting an EIN so hard?
• Boyum & Barenscheer (https://www.myboyum.com/blog/): The Minnesota Department of Revenue is texting you — except they're not.
• Withum (https://www.withum.com/resources/): Cybersecurity insurance basics — and before you simply skip ahead, take a moment to ask any recent European air traveler if they think the subject is important. 
• Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (https://itep.org/category/blog/): The bills come due: From public transit in Oregon to property taxes in Florida and Nebraska, "Lawmakers Confront Revenue Loss from Federal Policy Changes."
• Meyers Brothers Kalicka (https://www.mbkcpa.com/insights): A brief history of women in the profession.

Hold on there!

• TaxConnex (https://www.taxconnex.com/blog-): The Streamlined Sales Tax project started years ago with the sensible goal of bringing some order to the chaotic U.S. patchwork system of states' sales tax. But is SST for everyone?
• Wiss (https://wiss.com/insights/read/): When and how to remind real estate clients about the benefits of outsourced accounting.
• Yeo and Yeo (https://www.yeoandyeo.com/resources): The OBBBA reinstated immediate deductions for R&E expenditures under IRC Sec. 174, beginning in 2025. The IRS has recently issued transitional guidance (Rev. Proc. 2025-28) on how this change will be implemented. The guidance addresses several critical issues. Here's what businesses of all sizes need to know. 
• The Tax Times: (https://www.thetaxtimes.com/): A federal judge has ruled that the IRS cannot assess more than $1 million in FBAR penalties against a taxpayer without first providing the taxpayer an opportunity for a jury trial.

Bring out your dead

• Don't Mess with Taxes (http://dontmesswithtaxes.typepad.com/): Giving taxpayers a choice to operate electronically has long been a goal of many in Uncle Sam's tax agency. Danny Werfel frequently touted plans to move the IRS into the 21st century. But while Werfel always characterized expanded electronic IRS options as a taxpayer's personal choice, the White House wants e-transactions for the tax and other federal agencies to be mandatory.
• Global Taxes (https://www.globaltaxes.com/blog.php): For many Americans, Europe represents more than just a lifestyle choice and more a worldwide wealth strategy. Yet when managing those ambitions, U.S. citizens face a web of restrictions others don't.
• Berkowitz Pollack Brant (https://www.bpbcpa.com/articles-press-releases/): You Can't Tell Them Enough Department: "Why It Pays to Separate Corporate Finance Teams From Your Personal Family Office."
• CLA (https://www.claconnect.com/en/resources?pageNum=0): Property tax appeals can save real estate owners money by addressing outdated assessments. The process, valuation methods and preparation tips.
• Massey and Company (https://masseyandcompanycpa.com/blog/): What to remind them about the IRS being able to levy business accounts for personal tax matters — and about the agency's ability to audit a dead person.