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

Hungary offers tax breaks to raise fertility rate

Women with at least four children will be exempt from paying personal-income tax.

February 11
Tax relief

Tax relief for earthquake victims in Alaska

The IRS has help for those who suffered in the November quake.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

February 8
Tax season

Dear Congress: What preparers would like to tell Capitol Hill

Tax pros have some requests -- and some strong words -- for legislators.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

February 8
Tax season

IRS reports decline in refunds and filings during first week of tax season

For the week ending Feb. 1, 2019, the service received 16,035,000 returns, compared to 18,302,000 returns last year, a 12.4 percent decrease.

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

February 8
Philanthropy

Firms giving back: Ryan CEO gifts $30 million to alma mater

NJCPA CEO Ralph Thomas will also discuss property taxes and field questions on a live PBS session.

February 8
Tax breaks

How booming Amazon NYC neighborhood got tax perks meant for poor

City Council members thrashed the retailer for its resistance to unions, working conditions at warehouses and its founder’s wealth.

February 8
Tax returns

A Trump tax return standoff would be ‘uncharted territory’

A congressional committee heard testimony about forcing the release of the president's tax filings.

February 8

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.