IRS Still Working on Its Backlog of Returns and Correspondence

2023-01-13 The IRS website notes that as of December 9, 2022, it had 2.5 million individual returns received during the 2022 calendar year that are still unprocessed, including returns from 2021 tand late returns filed from previous years. An estimated one million of these returns are paper returns that are awaiting review and processing. The IRS backlog reported there were about 7.6 million unprocessed individual returns along with nearly 6.7…

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IRS introduces broader ‘Digital Assets’ category on Draft 2022 tax form

2022-10-26 An early draft of the 2022 IRS tax form grouped cryptocurrencies, stablecoins and nonfungible tokens under a new “Digital Asset” category. For more information go to IRS.gov/virtualcurrencyfaqs Digital assets are any digital representations of value that are recorded on a cryptographically secured distributed ledger or any similar technology. E.g., digital assets include non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and virtual currencies, such as cryptocurrencies and stablecoins. If a particular asset has the…

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FinCEN Issues Final Rule on Beneficial Ownership Reporting Under Corporate Transparency Act

2022-10-05 The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued a final rule implementing the beneficial ownership information reporting provisions under the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) enacted as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (P.L. 116-283). The final rule sets an effective date of January 1, 2024. Few jurisdictions in the United States require legal entities to disclose information about the individuals who actually own or control…

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IRS Appeals revises initial contact letters as part of effort to enhance the taxpayer experience

2022-10-05 IR-2022-170, Oct. 4, 2022 The revised initial contact letter sent for most cases received in Appeals will clarify that taxpayers and representatives can generally choose how they meet with Appeals through conferences that can be held by telephone, video or in-person. Appeals can also work with taxpayers and representatives through the mail or secure electronic messaging. Appeals employees can successfully resolve disputes in every type of conference and the…

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IRS revises OIC procedure for Filed but Unprocessed 2020 or 2021 Returns

2022-10-02 The current guidance provides that offers submitted where IRS does not indicate a required return has been received will be deemed not processable. The IRS issued temporary guidance for Specialty Collection Offer in Compromise (SCOIC), when a 2020 or 2021 IMF tax return has not been processed due to a revised processing schedule as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the new guidance, the IRS will not return…

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The IRS Alternative Media Center: Working to ensure tax info is accessible to everyone

2022-09-22 The IRS's Alternative Media Center offers a variety of resources and accessibility services for visually impaired taxpayers. Tax-related content is available in several formats for use with assistive technology. This includes screen reading software, refreshable Braille displays and screen magnifying software. People can view and download hundreds of tax forms and publications in alternative formats, many of which are available in Spanish, including: Text-onlyBraille ready filesBrowser-friendly HTMLAccessible PDFLarge print…

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IRS Notice 2022-36 provides penalty relief to most people & businesses who file certain 2019 or 2020 returns late

2022-08-26 Notice 2022-36, Penalty Relief for Certain Taxpayers Filing Returns for Taxable Years 2019 and 2020 The IRS will not impose the penalties listed in the notice for specified taxable years 2019 and 2020 tax returns filed on or before September 30, 2022. The penalties listed in the notice will be automatically abated, refunded, or credited, as appropriate without any need for taxpayers to request this relief. The following penalties…

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IRS announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rate for the final 6 months of 2022

2022-08-25 IR-2022-124, June 9, 2022 The optional business standard mileage rate is used to compute the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business use in lieu of tracking actual costs. This rate is also used as a benchmark by the federal government and many businesses to reimburse their employees for mileage. Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the…

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Withdrawals from a Thrift Savings Plan may be Retirement Benefits from other than Privately Funded Sources

2022-08-24 Missouri Department of Revenue, MO—LR 8197,Missouri,(Jun. 17, 2022) Taxpayer was a retired Federal government employee who worked for the USPS. Under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), they receive a pension from the Office of Personnel Management. In addition, taxpayer has a component of their retirement under FERS as a defined-contribution plan, known as the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). This plan is overseen by the United States Congress and…

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Missouri Property Tax Exemption for Solar Energy Systems Not Held for Resale Was Unconstitutional

2022-08-24 The Missouri statute exempting solar energy systems not held for resale from property taxation was unconstitutional. According to the Missouri Supreme Court, the Missouri Constitution did not grant the General Assembly the power to exempt such systems from taxation. Thus, a lower court ruling that a taxpayer's solar energy system was tax-exempt was vacated, and the case was remanded. ohnson v. Springfield Solar 1, LLC, Supreme Court of Missouri,…

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