Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of August 2, 2021 – August 6, 2021. Additionally, for continuing updates on the tax impact of COVID-19, please visit our resource page here.

August 3, 2021: The IRS issued a news release as part of a Security Summit series in partnership with state tax agencies and the tax industry, advising tax professionals on how to guard against—and mitigate—the effects of unemployment compensation fraud.

August 4, 2021: The IRS issued Notice 2021-49 and an accompanying news release, providing guidance on the employee retention credit under Section 3134 of the Code (as enacted by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021) and supplementing previously-issued guidance under earlier COVID-related legislation.

August 4, 2021: The IRS issued a news release reminding taxpayers with registered large trucks and buses of the August 31, 2021, deadline to file Form 2290: Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return.

August 5, 2021: The IRS released corrections and correcting amendments to final regulations regarding the election, which were published on January 13, 2020, under Section 1400Z-2 of the Code. The corrections specifically address federal tax benefits with respect to certain equity interests in qualified opportunity funds.

August 5, 2021: The IRS issued Notice 2021-47, announcing the inflation adjustment factor and associated phase-out amount for purposes of determining the enhanced oil recovery credit under Section 43 of the Code.

August 6, 2021: The IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2021-31, providing tables used in determining depreciation deduction limitations and income inclusions with respect to passenger automobiles for Calendar Year 2021 under Section 280F of the Code.

August 6, 2021: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

Special thanks to Le Chen in our Washington, DC, office for this week’s roundup.