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 credits

Chances for year-end tax package in Congress are slipping away

Chances are dimming that Congress will take up a multibillion-dollar package to renew a cluster of business tax breaks and provide a more generous child tax credit before lawmakers leave Washington for the year.

By Laura Litvan
Reporter

December 16
Tax-related court cases

Tax Fraud Blotter: Lights and sirens

E-file evasion; a.k.a. a CTR scam; fancy cars and a dead mom; and other highlights of recent tax cases.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

December 15
Technology

Third-party data leaks raise client privacy concerns

Recent news of tax solutions leaking data to third parties like Facebook have raised concerns about how accountants can protect client privacy in the age of big data.

By Chris Gaetano
Technology Editor

December 15
Tax season

Tax pros look to tech to boost tax season communication

And client portals are a central part of their strategy for making it easier to share information back and forth.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

December 15
Tax-related court cases

The top tax developments of 2022

40 critical regulations, court decisions, laws, IRS proposals and other major changes to the tax landscape from the past 12 months.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

December 15
AT Think Biden's student loan debt forgiveness program and its tax implications

If the program ultimately moves forward, tax professionals should know about the rules when advising their clients.

December 14

Mark Friedlich
Tax credits

EV tax-credit rules pit Joe Manchin against Hyundai

Senator Joe Manchin is pressing Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to stand firm on North American-based manufacturing requirements for lucrative electric-vehicle tax credits.

By Gabrielle Coppola
Reporter

December 14

Resources

The latest Accounting Today research and discussion:

Web Seminar From tax question to tax strategy: Turning everyday client conversations into advisory opportunities

This webinar demonstrates how firms can uncover planning opportunities hidden within everyday client conversations and transform routine compliance discussions into higher-value advisory engagements.

Partner Insights from Intuit
Web Seminar From returns to revenue: A tax planning framework for every firm

Most tax professionals are already sitting on planning opportunities, they just don't have a system to find them, package them, or get paid for them. This session walks through a simple, repeatable framework for turning completed returns into planning conversations, billable engagements, and stronger client relationships. Attendees leave with concrete next steps they can apply right away.

Partner Insights from Holistiplan
Report Progress under pressure: The 2026 post-tax season report

Leading firms share the tools, process changes, and strategies behind a better tax season experience.

Partner Insights from Rightworks

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.