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UPDATED: DRS Grants All Three of CTCPA's Requested Filing Extensions

February 22, 2025

We asked the DRS to extend three deadlines from March 15, 2025 to April 15, 2025. Based on the DRS Commissioner’s authority to extend, due to statutory limitations, he was only able to extend two of the dates to April 15, 2025 as requested: Form CT-PET, Connecticut Pass-Through Entity Tax Return and Form CT-1065/CT-1120SI, Connecticut Composite Income Tax Return.

  • state tax
  • advocacy - state
  • federal tax

Thousands of workers in IRS small business division to lose jobs

February 21, 2025

More than 3,500 employees in the Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) division of the IRS will lose their jobs this week, according to an email sent to IRS managers on Wednesday. The affected employees are expected to be notified Thursday, according to the email signed by Lia Colbert, SB/SE commissioner, and four other SB/SE managers.

  • advocacy - federal
  • federal tax

IRS layoffs expected despite tax season assurances

February 18, 2025

The Internal Revenue Service is reportedly planning layoffs of thousands of first-year probationary employees in the midst of tax season, perhaps as soon as this week.

  • advocacy - federal
  • federal tax

AICPA urges IRS to meet needs of taxpayers, preparers during filing season

February 16, 2025

AICPA leaders said Sunday the IRS should consider the needs of taxpayers and preparers as officials make plans to carry out President Donald Trump's direction to cut the federal workforce.

  • advocacy - federal
  • federal tax

Don’t wait on hold; use IRS online tools for faster help

February 12, 2025

Presidents Day weekend is peak time for IRS phone traffic. Skip the wait by visiting IRS.gov.

  • federal tax

A bumpy start: Tax season kicks off amid uncertainty all around

February 11, 2025

Accountants are in the midst of a series of changes, ranging from the future of the Internal Revenue Service to the kick-off of tax season.

  • advocacy - federal
  • federal tax

IRS delays resignation offer for critical tax season workers

February 05, 2025

IRS employees who work in "critical filing season positions" are exempt from the voluntary resignation program offered to federal government employees until May 15, according to an email sent Wednesday.

  • advocacy - federal
  • federal tax

Don’t Let Cybercriminals Add to Your Busy Season Stress

February 03, 2025

As the busy season ramps up, the risk of cyberattacks increases. Cybercriminals know that heightened workloads, tight deadlines and the influx of client communications create opportunities for exploitation. Whether through phishing emails, intercepted networks or fraudulent disbursement requests, the stakes for CPAs and their clients are high.

  • state tax
  • technology and cybersecurity
  • federal tax

Over a million missed the tax return deadline

February 03, 2025

As the clock ticked down, accountants faced the usual last-minute chaos on 31 January. Despite many scrambling to submit tax returns at the very last second, 1.1m missed the deadline.

  • federal tax

Using AI for an R&D Study?

February 02, 2025

With the rising popularity of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and its potential for business transformation, there's a significant push for CPAs to leverage AI features to save time and boost profitability. While it's certainly feasible and beneficial to use AI for enhancing operational efficiency and automating routine tasks, claiming that AI can handle complex accounting and tax-related tasks, such as preparing a detailed study, is quite a stretch. Yet, I see numerous "pop-up" shops emerging, boldly asserting that AI can handle 80% or more of an R&D credit study.

  • technology and cybersecurity
  • federal tax

Gig workers unaware of lower 1099-K threshold

January 31, 2025

Millions more taxpayers will be receiving the Form 1099-K in the mail this year for the first time if they were paid $5,000 or more last year through a service such as Venmo, PayPal, Cash App, StubHub, Etsy and Airbnb, and most won't be expecting it.

  • personal financial planning
  • federal tax

AICPA supports Senate discussion draft to help taxpayers, preparers

January 30, 2025

The AICPA said it supports the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act discussion draft that two senators released Thursday and especially backs 13 of the 65 provisions designed to reduce burdens on taxpayers and tax preparers.

  • advocacy - federal
  • federal tax

2025 tax filing season starts as IRS begins accepting tax returns today; taxpayers have many options for help

January 27, 2025

The Internal Revenue Service opened the 2025 tax filing season today and is accepting and processing federal individual tax year 2024 returns.

  • federal tax

IRS starts tax season with hiring freeze and rescinded job offers

January 27, 2025

The Internal Revenue Service kicked off tax season Monday facing a hiring freeze imposed by President Donald Trump in an executive order on Inauguration Day and lingering uncertainty over how to make up for over $20 billion in budget cuts.

  • advocacy - federal
  • federal tax

AICPA wants bigger safe harbor for corporate AMT

January 23, 2025

The American Institute of CPAs is asking the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service to increase the safe harbor for companies to avoid determining whether the corporate alternative minimum tax would apply to them.

  • advocacy - federal
  • federal tax

AICPA: Executive order shouldn’t affect IRS tax season hiring

January 21, 2025

An executive order signed by President Donald Trump regarding IRS hiring should not affect the use of seasonal employees for the tax filing season, an AICPA vice president said Tuesday.

  • advocacy - federal
  • federal tax

Activities to ease busy season stress

January 21, 2025

Does your firm have fun during busy season? If not, consider scheduling activities that build community, bring levity to the office, and help keep staff stay motivated through the busiest time of the year.

  • career resources
  • practice management
  • state tax
  • federal tax

Werfel to resign Monday as IRS commissioner

January 17, 2025

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel announced Friday that he would resign.

  • advocacy - federal
  • federal tax

IRS issues guidance for the District of Columbia and States that have paid family and medical leave programs

January 15, 2025

The Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance on the income and employment tax treatment of contributions and benefits paid in certain situations under a state paid family and medical leave program, as well as the related reporting requirements. Rev. Rul. 2025-4 PDF provides guidance to the District of Columbia and states that have mandatory paid family and medical leave programs and for employees working in and employers operating in those states. Today’s guidance responds to requests to clarify the federal tax treatment of state paid leave programs that help pay employees who can’t work because of non-occupational injuries to themselves or family members, as well as sickness and disabilities.

  • state tax
  • federal tax

Proposed regulations address 401(k), 403(b) automatic enrollment requirement

January 13, 2025

Treasury and the IRS issued proposed regulations addressing certain SECURE 2.0 Act provisions, including a provision that would require most newly established 401(k) and 403(b) plans to automatically enroll eligible employees beginning with the 2025 plan year.

  • business and industry
  • personal financial planning
  • practice management
  • federal tax