Practice management

A roundup of recent tax news.

Federal and state tax amnesty programs bring in revenue, but at a price

Columnists Jones and Luscombe on 2012 tax planning

A California man appeared in a federal court Monday morning to answer charges that he promoted a fraudulent tax return filing scheme that also involved fraudulent vehicle registration titles.

The Internal Revenue Service, along with the Labor Department and the Department of Health and Human Services, are looking into the use of stop-loss insurance, particularly by companies that self-insure their health insurance plans.

The Internal Revenue Service said Monday it is accepting applications for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance grant programs, which will allow some organizations to apply for annual funding for up to three years.

BNA Software, a Bloomberg BNA business, has launched BNA Income Tax Planner Web, an online version of the company’s income tax software that provides several new features and lower maintenance costs.

Deloitte finalized its acquisition of CRG Partners on Monday, to enhance the firm’s financial restructuring, turnaround management and bankruptcy reorganization services.

Julie and Brett Redden are in a hurry for the paperwork to go through for the six-year-old girl they are planning to adopt from China.

Maybe the post office isn’t the best place for it, but don’t underestimate the importance of having a picture associated with your professional presence. Your Web site and your social media profiles absolutely need one.

The House voted Friday to extend the current 3.4 percent interest rate on subsidized student loans for one more year.

A group of 63 Republican members in the House have written a letter to Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Doug Shulman urging him to stop the agency from requesting extensive information from Tea Party groups and other conservative organizations applying for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)4 of the Tax Code.

The number of indirect tax increases fell from 154 in the first quarter of 2011 to 107 in the first quarter of this year.

The Internal Revenue Service has increased the tax-deductible annual contribution limitation for health savings accounts.

Lattimore Black Morgan & Cain has launched a new service line to safeguard information exchanged over mobile devices.

The Internal Revenue Service issued a trio of notices Thursday related to the health care reform law, including how one might determine whether a health insurance plan provides “minimum value.”

On a unanimous voice vote, the House has approved the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act, with the goal of establishing strong reporting standards for federal spending information.

Florida-based Top 100 Firm Berkowitz Pollack Dick & Brant has rebranded itself Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors and Consultants.

In a decision that could have far-reaching impact, an Illinois state court judge has ruled that the state’s Amazon law, passed to tax online sales of instate affiliates, is unconstitutional.

Taxpayers who have been victimized by identity thieves who stole their tax refunds have become a major concern for local taxpayer advocates.