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.

H&R Block

H&R Block puts virtual prep in Walmart

Customers can upload their documents and get matched with a tax pro.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

December 31
Tax prep software

IRS updates Free File agreement to make free tax-filing software easier to access

The Internal Revenue Service has signed a new agreement with Free File, Inc., formerly known as the Free File Alliance, after controversy erupted during tax season this year over the difficulty of finding free versions of consumer tax filing software like TurboTax.

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

December 30
Tax planning

Richly deserved? Preparers discuss the wealth tax

Tax pros share what they and their clients think about the proposed tax on the rich.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

December 30
Tax preparation

Tune up your tax season workflow

Software vendors share how to make filing easier with technology.

By Ted Needleman
Contributing editor

December 30
AT Think Avoiding penalties related to new tax capital basis requirements for partnerships

For tax year 2018 filings, the IRS made a drastic change to the Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income, that went unnoticed by most practitioners.

December 27

Nick Preusch

Kaplan Financial Education
State taxes

The top 10 developments in state tax in 2019

The TCJA and Wayfair continue to dominate the landscape.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

December 27
International taxes

Can the world agree on taxes?

New OECD proposals want to harmonize tax regimes around the globe.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

December 27

Resources

The latest Accounting Today research and discussion:

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
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

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.