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 breaks

Top Democrat targets accounting firm and others in opportunity zone probe

Sen. Ron Wyden is targeting Top 15 Firm Baker Tilly and others in an investigation into whether opportunity zone investments are benefitting low-income areas as intended.

By Laura Davison
Capitol Hill tax reporter

January 14
Tax-related court cases

Tax Fraud Blotter: There’s nothing like a good fraud

ITS over; bad chemistry; international intrigue; and other highlights of recent tax cases.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

January 13
Tax prep software

Jackson Hewitt charging $25 for DIY tax prep

The tax prep chain is looking to compete in the online tax prep space against H&R Block and Intuit.

By Michael Cohn
Editor-in-chief, AccountingToday.com

January 13
Tax season

Wiley releases J.K. Lasser tax guides for 2022

John Wiley & Sons has updated its annual J.K. Lasser series of tax guides with information for preparing tax returns this year.

By Michael Cohn
Editor-in-chief, AccountingToday.com

January 12
Tax prep software

Bloomberg improves tax-provision software

Bloomberg Tax has added new features to the Tax Provision product it acquired last year from Tax Prodigy.

By Michael Cohn
Editor-in-chief, AccountingToday.com

January 12
IRS

Taxpayer Advocate warns of tax refund delays this season

National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins expressed deep concerns Wednesday about the upcoming tax filing season in her annual report to Congress on the 2021 filing season.

By Michael Cohn
Editor-in-chief, AccountingToday.com

January 12
Tax credits

Progressives face diminished hopes for Biden agenda

Progressive Democrats are increasingly resigned to a far narrower version of the economic, tax and social spending agenda they had hoped to pass.

By Erik Wasson
Capitol Hill reporter

January 12

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.