Tax practice

Senate negotiators are nearing a deal to allow unfettered U.S. crude oil exports for the first time in 40 years, though differences remain on renewable-energy tax credits that Democrats are demanding in return, according to people close to the discussions.

A roundup of some of our favorite new tax fraud cases.

Plaxico Burress, a former NFL wide receiver who played for the New York Giants, New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, has pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges.

Michael Sonnenblick of Thomson Reuters discusses how tax loss harvesting can help investors save on taxes, along with some of the risks.

As the calendar year—and for many companies, the financial year—draws to a close, accountants are gearing up for or holding what can feel like a gauntlet of meetings with business owners to begin preparing financial statements and tax returns.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a notice that provides guidance on the Supreme Court’s decision in the Obergefell same-sex marriage case to retirement plans, along with health and welfare plans.

Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., has introduced a bill to block a proposed regulation from the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department that would give nonprofits the option of asking donors for their Social Security numbers to substantiate donations of more than $250.

Liberty Tax Inc., parent company of Liberty Tax Service, reported a net loss for the fiscal second quarter ended October 31 of $9.1 million.

Highlights of some of our favorite tax-related blogs from the past week.

The Internal Revenue Service has selected TaxSlayer as the new tax software provider for the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs, starting with the 2017 tax filing season.

In July my column for this space asked whether it was too early to start thinking about tax extenders. Now, the question might better be phrased whether it is too late.

Michael Sonnenblick of Thomson Reuters discusses some of the main issues for next tax season, such as the Premium Tax Credit and the deduction for state and local taxes.

ADP is participating in an Internal Revenue Service pilot program to test verification codes on W-2 forms in an effort to reduce tax refund fraud.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Wednesday urged Congress to take action against companies that avoid taxes by shifting their debt to American soil while moving profit overseas, a technique known as earnings stripping, and said that if they don’t, the Treasury Department should crack down with new rules.

Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc agreed to pay 23.8 million euros ($26 million) to settle allegations from German prosecutors that its Swiss Coutts & Co. Ltd. private bank helped some clients evade tax.

Congressional leaders are pushing to reach a deal on a must-pass U.S. government spending bill as a Friday deadline nears to avoid a federal shutdown, even as they concede that lawmakers may have to work into the weekend and beyond.

As 2015 comes to a close, businesses are once again facing uncertainty as Congress has yet to act on a host of important provisions that expired at the end of 2014.

The Internal Revenue Service has begun a new program, the Early Interaction Initiative, to more quickly identify employers who are falling behind on their payroll or employment taxes and help them get caught up on their payment and reporting responsibilities.

Nonprofits are expressing concern about proposed regulations from the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department that could give charities the option of providing Social Security numbers of donors who contribute more than $250 to their organizations.