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.

International taxes

The biggest revelations from the Pandora Papers

An unprecedented leak has revealed the offshore financial assets of dozens of current and former world leaders and hundreds of politicians.

By Iain Marlow
Reporter

October 4
Tax planning

Biden seeks path out of gridlock after resetting clock

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is giving lawmakers until Halloween to strike a deal.

By Josh Wingrove

October 4
Tax fraud

U.S. says not so fast in tax-fraud trial of U.S. exec from Russian gas co.

Prosecutors want more time to gather more evidence from overseas against Novatek exec Mark Gyetvay.

By David Voreacos

October 1
Tax planning

Manchin wants Biden social spending plan cut to $1.5T

Manchin said any new programs should be means-tested and that the tax offsets should include elimination of the carried-interest provision that especially benefits private equity firms.

By Laura Litvan and Mike Dorning

September 30
AT Think Build the perfect spousal lifetime access trust

The use of a SLAT to eliminate the risk of changes in the estate and gift tax system can help separate legacy assets from lifetime assets.

September 30

Joe Maier

Johnson Financial Group
Tax-related court cases

Tax Fraud Blotter: Next year, same victims

Grossly underreported; unreal estate; auction closed; and other highlights of recent tax cases.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

September 30
IRS

Banks enlist customers to kill Biden’s account data reporting plan

Financial institutions aim to stop a measure that would require banks to hand over some account information to the IRS.

By Laura Davison and Allyson Versprille

September 30

Resources

The latest Accounting Today research and discussion:

Web Seminar Tax Planning for 2027

This webinar will look at key opportunities and stumbling blocks for practitioners

Sponsored by 8am CPACharge
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

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.