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

Walmart Offers Free Federal 1040EZ Filing

Retail giant Walmart will be providing free federal 1040EZ tax return filing through its partners H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt at more than 3,000 of its stores this tax season.

January 9
Tax practice

IRS to Release New Transcript Delivery System Monday

The Internal Revenue Service plans to finally release its re-engineered Transcript Delivery System on Monday, just in time for tax season.

January 6
Tax practice

IRS Expands Innocent Spouse Relief

The Internal Revenue Service has extended innocent spouse relief to a greater number of taxpayers under newly proposed guidelines.

January 6
Tax practice

Congress Could Pass Online Sales Tax Legislation This Year

With individual filing season underway, it’s questionable how many taxpayers are aware of their use tax obligations, and actually track their Internet purchases during the year in order to accurately report and pay them.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

January 5
Tax practice

Taxpayers Warned of Changes for Tax Season

While 2011 ended without many last-minute tax law changes aside from the payroll tax cut extension, taxpayers should still be aware of a number of changes.

January 4
Tax practice

IRS Extends Tax-Filing Deadline to April 17

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

January 4
Tax practice

IRS Will Accept PTIN Renewals after Year-End Expiration

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

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.