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.

Voices In the blogs: Sense of security?

Pluses of filing early; shutdown fallout; CAF problems; and other highlights from our favorite tax bloggers.

January 15

Jeff Stimpson
Tax reform

Opportunity zone fever spreads as debate over tax break deepens

There’s no lack of optimism among officials who hope to jump-start local economies, thanks to a provision in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

January 15
Government shutdown

Closed minds: What clients say about the government shutdown

One common question: ‘Do I still have to pay?’ (Yes.)

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

January 15
Tax reform

Big tax break for business owners at risk as shutdown drags on

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history could cause tens of thousands of businesses to make a tough choice.

January 15
Tax planning

10 planning tips for starting 2019 right

CPA financial planners share their favorite moves for kicking off the year right.

By Daniel Hood
Editor-in-chief

January 14
Premium tax credits

Government shutdown threatens health care tax credits, Democrats warn

Obamacare coverage could fall prey to the shutdown, lawmakers caution.

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

January 14
Tax returns

IRS reopens income verification service despite shutdown

The IVES program employed by mortgage lenders is back up and running, with user fees helping pay the salaries of IRS employees working in the unit.

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

January 14

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.