identity theft
Subscribe to identity theft's Posts

Weekly IRS Roundup April 8 – April 12, 2024

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of April 8, 2024 – April 12, 2024.

April 8, 2024: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2024-15, which includes the following:

  • Announcement 2024-15, which revokes the § 501(c)(3) determination for specified organizations and stipulates that contributions made to said organizations by individual donors are no longer deductible under § 170(b)(1)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code).
  • Notice 2024-31, which provides adjustments to the limitation on housing expenses for purposes of Code Section 911 for specific locations for 2024.
  • Revenue Procedure 2024-17, which provides a waiver under Code Section 911(d)(4) concerning time requirements for individuals who must leave a foreign country because of war, civil unrest or similar adverse conditions and are electing to exclude their foreign earned income. The revenue procedure also adds Ukraine, Belarus, Sudan, Haiti, Niger and Iraq to the list of waiver countries for tax year 2023 for which the minimum time requirements are waived.
  • Revenue Procedure 2024-18, which supplements Revenue Procedure 2023-32 by publishing amounts of unused housing credit carryovers allocated to qualified states under Code Section 42(h)(3)(D) for calendar year 2023 (in addition to those amounts published in Revenue Procedure 2023-32).
  • Final regulations, which describe rules for the elective payment of Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 tax credit amounts in a taxable year, including definitions and special rules applicable to partnerships and S corporations and regarding repayment of excessive payments. The regulations also describe rules related to a required IRS pre-filing registration process.
  • Final regulations, which describe rules for the elective payment of the advanced manufacturing investment credit under the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors Act of 2022, including special rules applicable to partnerships and S corporations, repayment of excessive payments, and basis reduction and recapture. The regulations also describe rules related to a required IRS pre-filing registration process.

April 8, 2024: The IRS warned taxpayers about bad tax information on social media that can potentially lead to identity theft and tax problems.

April 9, 2024: The IRS warned tax professionals and businesses to remain vigilant and protect themselves against a continuing barrage of email spearfishing attempts, especially one particular type known as “new client” scams where identity thieves pose as potential clients using fake emails in hopes of stealing valuable information.

April 9, 2024: The IRS reminded taxpayers that its Direct File pilot is open to eligible taxpayers in 12 pilot states and allows the filing of 2023 federal tax returns online for free and directly with the IRS.

April 9, 2024: The IRS released proposed regulations that would implement the statutory netting rule, which reduces the aggregate fair market value of stock repurchased by a taxpayer during a certain taxable year. Additionally, [...]

Continue Reading




read more

Weekly IRS Roundup April 1 – April 5, 2024

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of April 1, 2024 – April 5, 2024.

April 1, 2024: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2024-14, which includes the following:

  • Notice 2024-29, which provides updates on the corporate bond monthly yield curve, the corresponding spot segment rates for February 2024 used under § 417(e)(3)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), the 24-month average segment rates applicable for March 2024, and the 30-year Treasury rates as reflected by the application of § 430(h)(2)(C)(iv).
  • Revenue Ruling 2024-7, which provides the April 2024 applicable federal rates.
  • Proposed regulations, which provide guidance on the Section 45V production tax credit added by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) and on the election to treat qualified property that is part of a specified clean hydrogen production facility as energy property under Section 48.

April 1, 2024: The IRS warned taxpayers to beware of scammers attempting to sell or offer help setting up an online account on IRS.gov. Their goal is to get personal tax and financial information that can be used to commit identity theft.

April 2, 2024: The IRS reminded taxpayers there is still time to file federal income tax returns electronically and request direct deposit before the April 15 deadline.

April 2, 2024: The IRS warned taxpayers to beware of promotors who push improper Fuel Tax Credit claims by misleading taxpayers as it relates to fuel use and creating fictitious documents or receipts for fuel.

April 2, 2024: The IRS reminded taxpayers that the credit for other dependents is a $500 nonrefundable credit available to those with dependents who are not eligible for the Child Tax Credit. Taxpayers can claim this credit in addition to the child and dependent care credit and the Earned Income Credit.

April 3, 2024: The IRS reminded taxpayers affected by the terrorist attacks in Israel that they have until October 7, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns that were originally due March 15 or April 15, make tax payments and perform other time-sensitive tax-related actions.

April 3, 2024: The IRS warned taxpayers to avoid offer in compromise (OIC) “mills” that aggressively mislead by raising false expectations and exploiting vulnerable individuals with promises that tax debt can magically disappear. OIC mills are on the IRS’s “Dirty Dozen” list.

April 3, 2024: The IRS reminded taxpayers who adopted or started the adoption process in 2023 that they may qualify for the adoption credit.

April 4, 2024: The IRS warned taxpayers about groups masquerading as charitable organizations to attract donations from unsuspecting contributors and gather sensitive personal and financial information that can be exploited for tax-related identity fraud.

April 4, 2024: The IRS
Continue Reading




read more

Weekly IRS Roundup November 27 – December 1, 2023

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of November 27, 2023 – December 1, 2023.

November 27, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-48, which includes Revenue Procedure 2023-34 and sets forth the annual inflation adjustments for various Internal Revenue Code provisions for tax year 2024. Also included are the tax rate schedules and other tax changes.

November 27, 2023: The IRS and Security Summit partners launched the eighth National Tax Security Awareness Week along with tips for taxpayers and tax professionals to avoid scams and protect sensitive personal information ahead of the upcoming 2024 filing season and throughout the year.

November 27, 2023: The IRS published Tax Tip 2023-124, which reminds taxpayers that the IRS has newsletters for a variety of tax topics and audiences.

November 27, 2023: The IRS published proposed regulations that would amend the rules applicable to plans that include cash or deferred arrangements under § 401(k) to provide guidance for long-term, part-time employees. Comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by January 26, 2024.

November 27, 2023: The IRS published proposed regulations that would update current regulations regarding whether certain persons are treated as related persons who are subject to certain special rules pertaining to transactions with partnerships. The proposed regulations would affect partnerships that enter into transactions with related persons that result in a gain or loss on a sale or exchange of property or result in a difference in the timing recognition of income and deductions on account of the persons’ different methods of accounting. Comments and requests for a public hearing must be received by February 26, 2024.

November 28, 2023: The IRS reminded tax professionals to protect themselves and their clients’ sensitive information, including by putting written security plans in place and by following new requirements to use multifactor authentication.

November 28, 2023: The IRS highlighted its continued support of international efforts to fight fraud and charity scams in light of Charity Fraud Awareness Week.

November 28, 2023: The IRS published Tax Tip 2023-125, which reminds paid tax return preparers to renew their Preparer Tax Identification Number via the online renewal process before it expires on December 31, 2023.

November 29, 2023: The IRS reminded taxpayers that they can get extra protection against identity theft during the 2024 tax season by joining the Identity Protection Personal Identification Number program.

November 30, 2023: The IRS urged businesses to remain vigilant against cyberattacks aimed at stealing their customers’ personal information and other business data.

December 1, 2023: The US Department of the Treasury and the IRS issued two guidances on the § 30D clean vehicle credit excluded entity restriction, as amended by the Inflation Reduction Act [...]

Continue Reading




read more

Weekly IRS Roundup September 18 – September 22, 2023

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of September 18, 2023 – September 22, 2023.

September 18, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-38, which includes the following:

September 18, 2023: The IRS published Tax Tip 2023-111, describing different types of third-party representatives.

September 19, 2023: The IRS published Tax Tip 2023-112, describing how taxpayers can be certain they are communicating with the IRS as opposed to scammers purporting to represent the IRS.

September 19, 2023: The IRS reminded individuals and businesses in parts of Alabama, California and Georgia that their 2022 federal income tax returns and tax payments are due October 16, 2023. The original due date for these returns was postponed because of natural disasters.

September 19, 2023: The IRS has selected eight new members for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC), which is a public forum for the discussion of electronic tax administration issues. ETAAC members work closely with the Security Summit, a joint effort of the IRS, state tax administrators and the nation’s tax industry to fight identity theft and refund fraud.

September 20, 2023: The IRS published Tax Tip 2023-113, discussing the expanded tax credit for contractors who build energy-efficient homes.

September 20, 2023: The IRS announced plans to establish a special area that will focus on large or complex pass-through entities. The new work unit will be housed in the IRS Large Business and International (LB&I) division.

September 22, 2023: The IRS is requesting comments on Revenue Procedure 2004-47, which permits taxpayers who failed to make a reverse qualified terminable interest property (QTIP) election on an estate tax return to file certain documents with the Cincinnati Service Center directly to request relief in lieu of requesting a private letter ruling. Comments are invited on:

  • Whether the collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the agency’s functions, including whether the information has practical utility
  • The accuracy of the agency’s estimate for the burden of the information collection
  • Ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected
  • Ways to minimize the burden of the information collection on other forms of information technology
  • Estimates for capital or startup costs and costs of operation, maintenance and purchase of services to provide information.

September 22, 2023: The IRS released its weekly list of written [...]

Continue Reading




read more

Weekly IRS Roundup August 7 – August 11, 2023

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of August 7, 2023 – August 11, 2023.

August 7, 2023: The IRS published Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-32, which includes:

  • Notice 2023-53, setting forth updates on the corporate bond monthly yield curve and the corresponding spot segment rates for July 2023 used under Code Section 417(e)(3)(D); the 24-month average segment rates applicable for July 2023; and the 30-year Treasury rates, as reflected by the application of Code Section 430(h)(2)(C)(iv).
  • Proposed regulations that would rescind the moral objection exemption to providing contraceptive services in health plans subject to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and establish a new individual contraceptive arrangement that individuals enrolled in plans or coverage sponsored, arranged, or provided by objecting entities may use to obtain contraceptive services at no cost directly from a provider or facility that furnishes contraceptive services.
  • Final regulations that authorize the assessment and collection of erroneous refunds of various credits in the normal course of processing employment tax returns.
  • Announcement 2023-22, revoking tax-exempt status for certain organizations.
  • Notice 2023-55, providing temporary relief in defining a “foreign income tax” for purposes of Code Sections 901 and 903 for 2022 and 2023 tax years.
  • Revenue Ruling 2023-13, listing the applicable federal rates for August 2023.

August 7, 2023: The IRS reminded eligible contractors who build or substantially reconstruct qualified new energy-efficient homes that they might qualify for a tax credit of up to $5,000 per home under Code Section 45L. The credit amount depends on the type of home, the home’s energy efficiency and the date when someone buys or leases the home.

August 8, 2023: The IRS released part four of a five-part “Protect Your Client; Protect Yourself” summer series from the Security Summit, a public-private partnership that works to protect the tax system against tax-related identity theft and fraud. This publication provides information to help protect sensitive taxpayer data.

August 8, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-99, explaining the various ways in which scammers may impersonate the IRS, including by mail, electronically and even in person.

August 8, 2023: The IRS’s Large Business and International Division announced a compliance campaign focused on taxpayers who may have inflated their reported cost of goods sold to reduce their taxable income.

August 9, 2023: The IRS warned businesses and tax professionals to be aware of a range of compliance issues associated with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). The IRS indicated that it is aware of promoted arrangements using ESOPs that are potentially abusive. Such arrangements may include schemes where a business creates a “management” S corporation whose stock is wholly owned by an ESOP for the sole purpose of diverting taxable business income to the ESOP. The S [...]

Continue Reading




read more

Weekly IRS Roundup May 22 – May 26, 2023

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of May 22, 2023 – May 26, 2023.

May 22, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-21, which highlights the following:

  • Notice 2023-36: This notice from the US Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the IRS invites recommendations for the 2023-2024 Priority Guidance Plan. The Priority Guidance Plan is used to identify and prioritize tax issues that should be addressed through regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures, notices and other published administrative guidance.
  • Announcement 2023-15: This announcement provides the revocation of IRC 501(c)(3) organizations for failure to meet the code section requirements. Contributions made to the organization by individual donors are no longer deductible under Section 170(c).
  • REG-124064-19: These proposed regulations related to Section 367(d), Rules for Certain Repatriations of Intangible Property, would (in certain instances) terminate the continued application of certain tax provisions after the previous transfer of intangible property to a foreign corporation when the intangible property is repatriated to certain US persons.

May 22, 2023: The IRS announced that interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2023. Revenue Ruling 2023-11 establishes the interest rates as follows:

  • Overpayments: 7%
  • Overpayments for corporations: 6%
  • Corporate overpayments for portions exceeding $10,000: 4.5%
  • Underpayments: 7%
  • Large corporate underpayments: 9%

May 23, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-70, reminding taxpayers that requesting an Identity Protection PIN can help stop identity thieves from filing fraudulent tax returns. An Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit number used to prove taxpayers’ identities when filing their federal tax returns.

May 24, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-71, providing guidance on how taxpayers can best prepare to request an appeal after the IRS rejects an offer in compromise. After the IRS rejects an offer in compromise, taxpayers have 30 days to request an appeal of the decision.

May 25, 2023: The IRS renewed an alert for businesses to watch out for the telltale signs of misleading claims by aggressive promoters that misrepresent who can qualify for the Employee Retention Credit. The alert reminds taxpayers that businesses improperly claiming the credit must pay it back, possibly with penalties and interest.

May 25, 2023: The IRS released Notice 2023-43, which provides guidance with respect to Section 305 of the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022. Section 305 provides for the expansion of the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System, currently set forth in Revenue Procedure 2021-30. This notice provides interim guidance in advance of any updates to Revenue Procedure 2021-31 and is not intended to be comprehensive.

May 25, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-72, announcing that improvements to IRS phone service and online options are coming as a result of the Inflation [...]

Continue Reading




read more

Weekly IRS Roundup March 20 – March 24, 2023

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of March 20, 2023 – March 24, 2023.

March 20, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-12, which highlights the following:

  • Notice 2023-22: This notice advises state and local housing credit agencies that allocate low-income housing tax credits under Section 42, as well as states and other issuers of tax-exempt private activity bonds under Section 141, of the population figures to use in calculating the (1) state housing credit ceiling under Section 42(h), (2) private activity bond volume cap under Section 146 and (3) private activity bond volume limit under Section 142(k).

March 20, 2023: The IRS announced tips to avoid processing delays and refund adjustments as the April 18, filing deadline approaches. The tips include gathering all tax documents, filing electronically, using the correct filing status, double-checking names and social security numbers, answering the digital assets question and reporting all taxable income.

March 20, 2023: The IRS announced a new entry into the annual Dirty Dozen list of tax scams: promoter claims involving the Employee Retention Credit (ERC). Some third parties continue to widely advertise services that target taxpayers who may not be eligible for the ERC. The advertisements, along with the increased prevalence of websites touting how easy it is to qualify for the ERC, suggest that the abusive claims may be legitimate. The annual list of schemes is aimed at raising awareness of aggressive promoters and con artists. These schemes put people at financial risk and increase the chances of identity theft.

March 20, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-35, providing options for taxpayers who cannot pay their tax bill by April 18. The IRS also reminded taxpayers to still file their tax returns even if they cannot pay to avoid a failure-to-file penalty.

March 21, 2023: The IRS announced that it is requesting feedback regarding the tax treatment of a non-fungible token (NFT) as a collectible under the tax law in Notice 2023-27. An NFT is a unique digital identifier that is recorded using distributed ledger technology and may be used to certify the authenticity and ownership of an associated right or asset. The guidance also requests comments on the treatment of NFTs as collectibles and describes how the IRS intends to determine whether an NFT is a collectible until further guidance is issued.

March 21, 2023: The IRS issued proposed regulations that provide guidance on the implementation of the Advanced Manufacturing Investment Credit, established by the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors Act of 2022 (CHIPS Act). The credit incentivizes the manufacture of semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment within the United States.

March 21, 2023: The IRS cautioned taxpayers to watch out for scammers using email and text messages to [...]

Continue Reading




read more

Weekly IRS Roundup December 5 – December 9, 2022

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of December 5, 2022 – December 9, 2022.

December 5, 2022: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2022-49, which highlights the following:

  • Revenue Procedure 2022-39: This revenue procedure obsoletes Revenue Procedure 94-69, 1994-2 C.B. 804, and sets out the procedures for eligible taxpayers to file an amended return under Section 1.6664-2(c)(4)(ii) of the regulations. This revenue procedure also sets out the procedures for eligible taxpayers to avoid Sections 6662(b)(1) and 6662(b)(2) accuracy-related penalties to the extent that the taxpayers report errors resulting in additional tax or adequately discloses the tax treatment of an item that has a reasonable basis.
  • Notice 2022-60: This notice sets forth the corporate bond monthly yield curve, the corresponding spot segment rates and the 24-month average segment rates for November 2022. The notice also provides guidance as to interest rates on 30-year Treasury securities and 30-year Treasury weighted average rates.
  • Notice 2022-62: This notice contains the 2022 Required Retirement Plan Amendments List. The list establishes the end of the remedial amendment period and the plan amendment deadline for changes in qualification requirements and Section 403(b) requirements for qualified individually designed plans and Section 403(b) individually designed plans, respectively.
  • Proposed Regulations 112096-22: This document contains proposed regulations related to the foreign tax credit, which provide guidance with respect to the reattribution asset rule for purposes of allocating and apportioning foreign taxes, the cost recovery requirement and the attribution rule for withholding tax on royalty payments. Written comments should be received by January 23, 2023, for consideration.
  • Revenue Rule 2022-22: This revenue ruling provides the applicable federal rates for federal income tax purposes for December 2022. The short-term federal interest rate will increase to 4.55%, the mid-term rate will rise to 4.27% and the long-term rate will rise to 4.34%.

December 5, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-185, promoting IRS social media accounts and e-News services. The IRS utilizes several social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

December 6, 2022: The IRS and the US Department of the Treasury (Treasury) issued proposed regulations that identify certain syndicated conservation easement (SCE) transactions as “listed transactions,” which means they must be reported to the IRS. The IRS previously identified certain SCE transactions in Notice 2017-10, however, courts have recently held that Notice 2017-10 is invalid because it did not follow notice and public comment procedures. The IRS also released Announcement 2022-28, which provides additional background information related to Notice 2017-10 and notes the IRS and the Treasury’s disagreement with the courts.

December 6, 2022: The IRS encouraged taxpayers to take important steps in December in preparation of filing their 2022 federal [...]

Continue Reading




read more

Weekly IRS Roundup November 14 – November 18, 2022

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of November 14, 2022 – November 18, 2022.

November 14, 2022: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2022-46, which highlights the following:

  • Announcement 2022-21: The Office of Professional Responsibility announced recent disciplinary sanctions involving lawyers, certified public accountants, enrolled agents, enrolled actuaries, enrolled retirement plan agents and appraisers.

November 14, 2022: The IRS released Notice 2022-59, which provides the adjusted applicable dollar amount to be multiplied by the average number of covered lives for purposes of calculating the fee imposed by Sections 4375 and 4376 for policy years and plan years that end on or after October 1, 2022, and before October 1, 2023. The amount is $3.00, up from $2.79.

November 14, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-174, which provides an overview of the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TBOR). We have previously posted about TBOR.

November 15, 2022: The IRS released Tax Tip 2022-175, reminding people that Giving Tuesday is coming up and is a good time to review whether their charitable donation is tax deductible. Giving Tuesday is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving.

November 15, 2022: The IRS reminded taxpayers that IRS Free File will be closed after November 17. IRS Free File allows people with incomes of $73,000 or less to file a return online for free using brand name software.

November 15, 2022: The IRS Advisory Council issued its 2022 Public Report, which includes recommendations for new and continuing issues in tax administration. The report emphasized the need for “consistent and multi-year funding for the IRS to achieve its goals of providing efficient, effective, modern service to the nation’s taxpayers.” The 146-page report details recommendations for 21 issues, including:

  • IRS business and information technology modernization
  • Reduction in electronic filing threshold for information return filers
  • Alignment of electronic signature requirements on withholding certificates
  • Accelerated issuance of IRS Form 6166, Certification of US Residency
  • Series 8038 Form Redesign and Updates
  • Business Master File Transcript Delivery Service

November 15, 2022: The IRS issued Revenue Rule 2022-22, which provides the applicable federal rates for federal income tax purposes for December 2022. The short-term federal interest rate will increase to 4.55%, the mid-term rate will rise to 4.27% and the long-term rate will rise to 4.34%.

November 16, 2022: The IRS released Revenue Procedure 2022-39, which obsoletes Revenue Procedure 94-69, 1994-2 C.B. 804, and sets out the procedures for eligible taxpayers to file an amended return in accordance with Section 1.6664-2(c)(4)(ii) of the regulations. This revenue procedure also sets out the procedures for eligible taxpayers to avoid the Sections 6662(b)(1) and 6662(b)(2) accuracy related penalties to the extent that the taxpayers report errors resulting in additional tax or adequately discloses the tax treatment of an [...]

Continue Reading




read more

STAY CONNECTED

TOPICS

ARCHIVES

jd supra readers choice top firm 2023 badge