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 prep software

Warren asks agencies to probe tax companies’ free-file services

Senator Elizabeth Warren and other lawmakers asked the Internal Revenue Service and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether tax preparation companies are hiding their free services by manipulating search engines.

May 3
Tax Strategy 2019 federal tax legislation starting to take shape

Three bills that would make major change have already emerged from the Ways & Means Committee.

May 3

Mark A. Luscombe

Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting
Tax-related court cases

Tax Fraud Blotter: Bait and Swiss

Broker busted; bad habits; home of the braid; and other highlights of recent tax cases.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

May 2
Tax preparers

IRS seeks nominations for Advisory Council

14 spots for three-year terms are open through June 10.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

May 2
Tax reform

The TCJA: In the eye of the beholder

Congressional hearings show how political priorities color views of tax reform.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

May 2
Tax audits

An IRS revamp?

Congress is considering new changes to the tax service.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

May 2
Tax returns

Pete Buttigieg releases tax returns

The Indiana mayor earned nearly $153,000 last year.

May 1

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.