Tax

Tax News & IRS Insights for Accounting Professionals

Accounting Today delivers news and analysis for accounting and tax professionals on federal and state tax developments, IRS guidance,information reporting, and operational implications for practices and clients. Our coverage focuses on legislative and procedural shifts that tax practitioners must monitor in planning, compliance, and advisory contexts.

Tax practice

Property v. Service

A recent case in Michigan has created an unexpected twist in the brave new world of taxing software and services online.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

December 29
Tax practice

Dealing with IRS Tax Notices

Receiving a tax notice from the IRS or a state department of revenue may not be what you were hoping for in the days mail. But in many cases the notice can be resolved both quickly and painlessly.

December 29
Tax practice

In the Blogs: Ho Ho No

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

December 27
Financial planning

’Tis the Season to Shine

Elevating your clients experience during tax season

December 23
Tax practice

Traps in Tax Harvesting for Short Sellers

Its the time of year when investors examine their portfolio and seek to harvest built-in tax losses. But short sellers who wish to harvest their losses should keep a close eye on the calendar.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

December 23
Tax practice

IRS Announces Start Date for Tax Season

The Internal Revenue Service will begin accepting individual tax returns on Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016, it announced today.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

December 21
Tax practice

PTIN System Down for Parts of Holiday Season

The PTIN system will be down for approximately two to three hours for necessary maintenance beginning at 8 a.m. EST on Monday, Dec. 21, as well as a few days over New Year's.

December 20

Resources

The latest Accounting Today research and discussion:

Web Seminar The most important supply for tax firms isn't found on shelves

In this webinar, we'll show you how tax and accounting professionals are leveraging new technologies to make their firms more efficient and to stay ahead of competitors.

Partner Insights from Thomson Reuters
Web Seminar The psychology of a modern tax workflow: Reducing anxiety, decision fatigue & compliance risk

In this session you'll learn practical, firm-tested principles to reduce confusion, improve predictability, and strengthen both client and staff confidence.

Partner Insights from SmartVault
On-Demand Web Seminar Tax Planning for 2027

This webinar will look at key opportunities and stumbling blocks for practitioners

Sponsored by 8am CPACharge

Tax: Key Questions & Analysis:

What IRS guidance on forms and information reporting should practitioners prioritize?

The IRS continues to update thresholds and instructions for critical tax forms. This includes changes to information reporting requirements and guidance on evolving reporting standards, affecting 1099, W-2 and similar reporting obligations.

What procedural developments affect IRS automatic change consent for method changes?

Tax professionals must understand which accounting method changes qualify for automatic consent versus advance consent. This determines whether a Form 3115 must be filed with IRS National Office or via automatic procedures.

How are tip-related tax provisions evolving under current policy?

New tax provisions related to tip income will impact how service industry clients and payroll units handle tax reporting and compliance. This includes draft schedules and withholding considerations.

What IRS guidance will shape compliance for the 2026 filing season?

Practitioners will need to understand procedural updates, forms changes, and reporting shifts that will affect compliance workflows and client expectations for the 2026 filing season. This includes the implementation timeline for new schedules and reporting requirements as well as for emerging areas such as crypto broker reporting.