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.

  • The Internal Revenue Service opened the 2012 tax season on Wednesday by extending the tax-filing deadline until April 17.

    January 4
  • While all Preparer Tax Identification Numbers from last tax season expired on December 31, the Internal Revenue Service said its PTIN system would continue to accept renewals after the deadline.

    January 3
  • H&R Block kicked off tax season Tuesday with a new service that allows its tax preparers and clients to meet in real-time via videoconference.

    January 3
  • Year-end planning is now behind us. Many believe that the failure of the joint congressional committee to reach a deficit reduction agreement pushes fundamental tax reform off at least until after the 2012 elections. Some tax changes are still possible with respect to jobs promotion and extending expiring provisions, but those efforts will be primarily focused on 2012. So, what do we know now about what is new for the 2011 tax return filing season?

    January 1
  • Tighter IRS scrutiny of preparers and returns, staffing issues and a stagnant economy are facing tax professionals as they ready their practices for a new filing season.

    January 1
  • The Internal Revenue Service is encouraging more taxpayers to take advantage of the "saver's credit."

    December 26
  • Both the House and Senate passed a two-month extension of the payroll tax cut, unemployment benefits, and the “doc fix” for preserving the current Medicare reimbursement for physicians by unanimous consent on Friday morning, sending the measure to President Obama’s desk.

    December 23
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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.