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

Obama Promotes Buffett Rule for Tax Reform

President Obama told a crowd of students and supporters that Congress should vote to approve his plan to ensure that millionaires dont pay lower tax rates than the middle class.

April 11
Tax practice

Paul Ryan Pushes Growth Strategy for Tax Policy

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, R-Wis., talked about how tax policies need to emphasize economic growth during a speech Tuesday, in which he also took aim at President Obamas budget.

April 11
Tax practice

H&R Block Offers Free Tax Extension Filing

Some H&R Block offices are offering free filing of tax extensions now through the April 17 tax filing deadline, the company said Monday.

April 9
Tax practice

IRS Commissioner Shulman Warns Congressional Inaction Risks 2013 Tax Disaster

The commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service warned on Thursday of "a real disaster" for taxpayers next year should Congress miss a December 31 deadline to decide on billions in major tax provisions.

April 9
Tax practice

IRS Analyzes Tax Preparer Data Looking for Fraud

Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Doug Shulman described in a speech Thursday how the agency is using information from its tax preparer regulation initiative to identify practitioners who are showing patterns of tax fraud.

April 5
Technology

Intuit Upgrades Mobile Tax App for Accountants

Intuit has added new features to its iPhone app, Intuit Tax Online Mobile, including the ability for accountants to filter their client list and email PDF versions of tax returns to their clients securely.

April 5
Tax practice

NSA Offers Webinars for Tax Preparer Exam

The National Society of Accountants has begun providing an online webinar program to help tax preparers get ready for the Internal Revenue Service’s new tax preparer exam.

April 5

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
On-Demand 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.