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 season

Tax season opens with shutdown over

The Internal Revenue Service began accepting returns Monday, with employees returning to work after a 35-day partial government shutdown.

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

January 28
Tax debts

Gucci owner owes $1.6B in taxes, Italy audit finds

Kering SA, the French owner of the luxury brand, owes about 1.4 billion euros to Italy in back taxes.

January 28
Brexit

EU tax bill for U.K. firms faces no-deal Brexit conundrum

A no-deal Brexit could create yet another headache for the European Union as it prepares to hand dozens of U.K.-based companies a tax bill that is expected to top $1.5 billion.

January 28
Government shutdown

AICPA concerned about shutdown impact on taxpayers and practitioners

The American Institute of CPAs sent a letter to officials at the IRS and the Treasury, a day before President Trump announced a temporary deal.

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

January 25
Accounting software

Product News: LeaseQuery, Avalara and Invoiced hit 2018 milestones

2018 saw these tech company increase revenue, integrations and customer bases.

By Ranica Arrowsmith
Technology Editor

January 25
Compliance systems

Avalara acquires alcohol compliance services provider

The tax automation company’s goal is to be a part of “every transaction in the world.”

By Ranica Arrowsmith
Technology Editor

January 25
Brexit

Restructuring advice, unpaid taxes show Brexit business impact

How are businesses in the U.K. faring as Brexit looms? Not well.

January 25

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.