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 tools

Vertex expands integration with Salesforce

Users of the tax automation software can now access four more sales management features.

By Ranica Arrowsmith
Technology Editor

January 3
Tax reform

How much can buybacks rise on tax cuts? This estimate says 70%

Donald Trump’s Christmas present to U.S. equity investors will be a big one, if history is any guide.

January 3
AT Think In the blogs: Animal instincts

Reform’s effect on tax-exempts; hitting the marketing balance; Bozo of the year; and other highlights from our favorite tax bloggers.

January 2

Jeff Stimpson
Tax preparation

H&R Block opens offices early

For a limited time, participating locations will file 1040EZs for free.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

January 2
Tax-related court cases

The top tax cases of 2017

A roundup of influential and important legal decisions from the past year.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

January 2
Tax avoidance

Google’s ‘Dutch sandwich’ shielded 16B euros from tax

Alphabet Inc.’s Google moved 15.9 billion euros ($19.2 billion) to a Bermuda shell company in 2016, saving at least $3.7 billion in taxes that year, regulatory filings in the Netherlands show.

January 2
Tax reform

‘Orwellian’ offshore tax will hit some firms harder than others

The name that Republican tax writers gave to a new, multibillion-dollar business levy implies that it targets foreign earnings from “intangible” intellectual property—hitting tech firms and drugmakers like Apple Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

January 2

Resources

The latest Accounting Today research and discussion:

Web Seminar The most important supply for tax firms isn't found on shelves

In this webinar, we'll show you how tax and accounting professionals are leveraging new technologies to make their firms more efficient and to stay ahead of competitors.

Partner Insights from Thomson Reuters
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

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.