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 preparers

The questions tax preparers just can’t ask clients

‘What were you thinking?’ tops the list.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

August 3
Tax preparation

Tax Fraud Blotter: ‘Daddy needs your ID’

Scamming from a cell; Speedy decision; a gamble pays off with four years; and other highlights of recent tax cases.

By Jeff Stimpson
Freelance writer

August 3
Tax crimes

IRS Criminal Investigation chief plans new enforcement programs

The Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation unit is readying two new programs focusing on data investigations and international tax evasion.

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

August 2
Tax preparers

Filling the time between April 18 and January

Changes to the rhythms of tax season have more and more practitioners looking for new kinds of work to stay busy.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

August 2
Tax prep software

Re-evaluating your tax software

Accounting Today's 2017 comparison guide lays out the prep packages side by side.

By Ted Needleman
Contributing editor

August 2
Employee classifications

Properly classifying workers remains a major problem

Misclassification is a perennial issue for the IRS and state taxing authorities.

By Roger Russell
Senior Editor

August 2
Employment data

ADP finds private sector added 178,000 jobs in July

Private sector employers created 178,000 jobs last month, according to payroll giant ADP, with gains seen in all sizes of businesses and most industries, except manufacturing.

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

August 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.