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Weekly IRS Roundup July 24 – July 28, 2023

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of July 24, 2023 – July 28, 2023.

July 24, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-30, which includes proposed regulations that specify the methodology for constructing the corporate bond yield curve used to calculate present value under a defined benefit plan. The Internal Revenue Bulletin also highlights the following:

  • Announcement 2023-18 relieves taxpayers from reporting the new stock repurchase excise tax under § 4501.
  • Announcements 2023-19 and 2023-20 revoke the tax-exempt status of certain organizations.
  • Notice 2023-37 modifies prior guidance regarding benefits related to testing and treating COVID-19.
  • Notice 2023-50 announces that the applicable percentage for purposes of determining percentage depletion on marginal properties for 2023 is 15%.
  • Notice 2023-51 publishes the inflation adjustment factor and the reference price for 2023 for the renewable electricity production credit under § 45.
  • T.D. 9976 provides final regulations that facilitate the transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) to other interbank offered rates (IBORs).

July 24, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-93, warning businesses and tax-exempt organizations about misleading employee retention credit claims. Scammers and unscrupulous promoters have been running aggressive broadcast advertising, direct mail solicitations and online promotions for the credit, many of which misrepresent and exaggerate who can qualify for the credit.

July 24, 2023: The IRS announced that revenue officers will no longer make unannounced visits to taxpayers’ residences in all but a few narrow circumstances. Instead, they will schedule visits via mailed letters.

July 25, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-94, advising that applicable entities, including tax-exempt and governmental entities that would otherwise be unable to claim certain credits because they do not owe federal income tax, can benefit from some clean energy tax credits. If an entity opts to receive an elective payment, the amount of such credits is treated as a payment of tax, and overpayments will result in a refund.

July 25, 2023: The IRS released Notice 2023-53, which provides guidance on the corporate bond monthly yield curve, spot segment rates used under § 417(e)(3) and the 12-month average segment rates under § 430(h)(2).

July 25, 2023: The IRS published a special summer series discussing the Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program, which can provide an extra layer of security for taxpayers filing their tax returns.

July 26, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-95, reminding taxpayers that IRS Free File remains available until October 16 for those who still need to file a 2022 tax return.

July 26, 2023: The IRS released Revenue Procedure 2023-26, which provides a program for the fast-track processing of private letter ruling requests, replacing the pilot program described in
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Weekly IRS Roundup July 17 – July 21, 2023

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of July 17, 2023 – July 21, 2023.

July 17, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-29, which includes Notices 2023-29, 2023-45 and 2023-47. These notices provide guidance to taxpayers seeking to qualify for the energy community bonus credit under §§ 45, 45Y, 48 and 48E.

July 17, 2023: The IRS released Revenue Ruling 2023-13, providing the applicable federal rates for federal income tax purposes for August 2023. The short-term federal interest rate is 5.07%, the mid-term rate is 4.09% and the long-term rate is 4.03%.

July 17, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-90, identifying summer activities that can affect individuals’ tax returns. For example, the cost of sending a child to summer camp may count toward the Child and Dependent Care Credit.

July 19, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-91, reminding newlywed couples to report any name or address changes to the Social Security Administration, the US Postal Service and the IRS to update their withholding allowances. The Tax Tip also clarifies that a couple married as of December 31 is treated as married for the whole year for tax purposes.

July 20, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-92, providing guidance to taxpayers filing returns on extension and reminding them that they may be eligible to use IRS Free File. Taxpayers getting a refund can expect to receive it faster by requesting that the refund be paid electronically via direct deposit.

July 21, 2023: The IRS released Notice 2023-55, which provides relief for taxpayers in determining which foreign taxes are creditable for tax years beginning on or after December 28, 2021, and ending on or before December 31, 2023.

July 21, 2023: The IRS released its weekly list of written determinations (e.g., Private Letter Rulings, Technical Advice Memorandums and Chief Counsel Advice).

Upcoming Events: Registration for the 2023 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums is now open, and the events are returning to an in-person format for the first time since 2019. The IRS Nationwide Tax Forums are designed specifically for tax professionals (e.g., enrolled agents, certified public accountants, certified financial planners and Annual Filing Season Program participants) as well as uncredentialed tax professionals. The dates and locations are as follows:

  • July 25-27: Atlanta, GA
  • August 8-10: National Harbor, MD (Washington, DC area)
  • August 22-24: San Diego, CA
  • August 29-31: Orlando, FL



Weekly IRS Roundup April 17 – April 21, 2023

Check out our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of April 17, 2023 – April 21, 2023.

April 17, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-16, which highlights the following:

  • Announcement 2023-10: This announcement was issued pursuant to the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, which requires the US Secretary of the Treasury to annually report advance pricing agreements and the Advance Pricing and Mutual Agreement Program (APMA Program). This year’s report describes the experience, structure and activities of the APMA Program during 2022.
  • REG-105954-22: This notice provides guidance related to Sections 4661, 4662, 4671 and 4672, collectively referred to as the Superfund chemical taxes. Section 4661(a) imposes an excise tax on the sale or use of “taxable chemicals” by manufacturers, producers or importers. Section 4671(a) imposes an excise tax on the sale or use of “taxable substances” by importers. The Superfund chemical taxes previously expired on December 31, 1995, but were reinstated with certain modifications, effective July 1, 2022, by Section 80201 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
  • Notice 2023-31: This notice announces that when proposed regulations under Section 903 (REG-112096-22) are finalized, the US Department of the Treasury and the IRS intend to extend the transition period for the single-country exception’s documentation requirement from May 17, 2023, to 180 days after the final regulations are filed. The single-country exception provides relief from the source-based attribution requirement under Section 903 for foreign withholding taxes on royalties paid for the use of intellectual property within the withholding jurisdiction.
  • REG-120080-22: This document contains proposed regulations regarding the clean vehicles credit under Section 30D. These proposed regulations will affect persons seeking to claim the credit and qualified manufacturers of clean vehicles. The IRS also issued a reminder that the proposed regulations went into effect on April 18.
  • Revenue Ruling 2023-2: This revenue ruling confirms that the basis adjustment under Section 1014 generally does not apply to the assets of an irrevocable grantor trust not included in the deceased grantor’s gross estate for federal estate tax purposes.

April 17, 2023: The IRS released Revenue Ruling 2023-9, which provides the applicable federal rates for federal income tax purposes for May 2023. The short-term federal interest rate is 4.30%, the mid-term rate will drop to 3.57% and the long-term rate will fall to 3.72%.

April 17, 2023: The IRS reminded taxpayers who need additional time to file their taxes that they can get an extension via IRS Free File.

April 17, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-51, providing information to taxpayers regarding how to file a final federal tax return for someone who has died.

April 17, 2023: The IRS reminded last-minute tax [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup February 13 – February 17, 2023

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of February 13, 2023 – February 17, 2023.

February 13, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-7, which highlights the following:

  • Revenue Procedure 2023-9: This procedure provides new rules and conditions for implementing the optional safe harbor method of accounting for real estate developers to determine when common improvement costs may be included in the basis of individual units of real property in a real property development project held for sale to determine the gain or loss from sales of those units (the Alternative Cost Method).

February 13, 2023: The IRS announced that interest rates will remain the same for the second quarter of 2023. As of April 1, 2023, the rates will be as follows:

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

Revenue Ruling 2023-4 contains the complete explanation of the calculations.

February 13, 2023: The IRS announced a new pilot phase for the Compliance Assurance Process (CAP) program called “Bridge Plus.” CAP is a cooperative pre-filing program for large corporate taxpayers. Taxpayers will be required to provide book-to-tax reconciliations, credit utilization and other supporting documentation shortly after their audited financial statement is finalized. An IRS team will then risk-assess the documents to determine if the taxpayer is suitable for the “Bridge Plus” phase.

February 13, 2023: The US Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the IRS announced guidance to establish a program that would provide solar and wind power to certain low-income areas under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Notice 2023-17 establishes the Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program and provides initial guidance for potential applicants for allocations of calendar year 2023 capacity limitation.

February 13, 2023: The IRS and the Treasury announced guidance on the Qualifying Advanced Energy Product Credit. Notice 2023-18 establishes the Section 48C(e) program to allocate $10 billion in credits ($4 billion of which may only be allocated to projects located in certain energy communities census tracts). The notice also provides initial program guidance. The goal of the program is to expand US manufacturing capacity and quality jobs for clean energy technologies (including production and recycling), reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the US industrial sector and secure domestic supply chains for critical materials (including specified critical minerals) that serve as inputs for clean energy technology production.

February 13, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-18, reminding people that the Earned Income Tax Credit is a major tax benefit for millions of low- and moderate-income workers. Taxpayers can check their eligibility and how much they qualify for here.

February 14, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-19, providing resources and suggestions for choosing [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup February 6 – February 10, 2023

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of February 6, 2023 – February 10, 2023.

February 6, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-6, which highlights the following:

  • Notice 2023-12: This notice provides updates on the corporate bond monthly yield curve and corresponding spot segment rates and the 24-month average segment rates for January 2023. The notice also provides guidance as to interest rates on 30-year Treasury securities and 30-year Treasury weighted average rates.
  • Notice 2023-13: This notice sets forth a proposed revenue procedure establishing the Service Industry Tip Compliance Agreement (SITCA) program. SITCA is a voluntary tip reporting program between the IRS and employers in the service industry that is designed to enhance tax compliance through the use of agreements instead of traditional audit techniques.
  • Revenue Procedure 2023-14: This guidance provides the tables of limitations on depreciation deductions for owners of passenger automobiles placed in during calendar year 2023 and the table dollar amounts that must be used to determine income inclusions by lessees of passenger automobiles with a lease term beginning in calendar year 2023.
  • Revenue Ruling 2023-3: This revenue ruling provides the applicable federal rates for federal income tax purposes for February 2023. The short-term federal interest rate is 4.47%, the mid-term is 3.82% and the long-term rate is 3.86%.

February 6, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-14, highlighting the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which include the Right to be Informed. Taxpayers have the right to know what they need to do to comply with the tax laws.

February 6, 2023: The IRS and the US Department of the Treasury (Treasury) announced a new program for service industry tip reporting. The proposed SITCA program is designed to take advantage of advancements in point-of-sale, time and attendance systems, and electronic payment settlement methods to improve tip reporting compliance. The proposed program would also decrease taxpayer and IRS administrative burdens and provide more transparency and certainty to taxpayers.

February 6, 2023: The IRS announced special Saturday hours for the next four months at Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country. The Saturday hours will take place on February 11, March 11, April 8 and May 13 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

February 7, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-15, providing information to help business travelers properly claim travel business deductions.

February 8, 2023: The IRS released Announcement 2023-6, which notifies the public that it intends to issue opinion letters by February 28, 2023, for preapproved defined benefit plans that were updated for changes in plan qualification requirements and filed with the IRS during the third six-year remedial amendment cycle. This announcement also notifies the public of the date by which an adopting employer [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup January 30 – February 3, 2023

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of January 30, 2023 – February 3, 2023.

January 30, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-5, which highlights the following:

  • Announcement 2023-5: This announcement provides notice that there were no articles submitted for this week’s publication.

January 30, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-10, reminding employers and businesses that the due date to file 2022 Form W-2, Form W-3 and Form 1099-NEC is January 31, 2023.

January 31, 2023: The IRS offered a checklist of reminders for people as they navigate tax season and prepare to file their 2022 tax returns. The list includes gathering all tax paperwork, remembering all types of income and choosing a tax professional carefully.

January 31, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-11, urging people to bookmark IRS.gov tools to help reduce the stress of filing season. The Let Us Help You page has information and resources on a wide range of topics for both individual taxpayers and businesses.

February 1, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-12, highlighting IRS Free File for first-time filers. The program provides free tax preparation, free electronic filing and free direct deposit for eligible taxpayers.

February 2, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-13, urging taxpayers to have their tax refund direct deposited. The IRS says that direct deposit is fast, secure, easy and provides options for splitting a refund.

February 2, 2023: The IRS issued proposed regulations, which would rescind the moral objection to the coverage of contraceptive services under the Affordable Care Act. The proposed rules also would establish a new individual contraceptive arrangement that individuals enrolled in plans or coverage provided by objecting entities may use to obtain contraceptive services at no cost directly from a provider or facility that furnishes contraceptive services. Comments should be received by April 3, 2023.

February 3, 2023: The IRS announced that it has released new guidance related to new, previously owned and qualified commercial clean vehicle credits and updated related FAQs in Fact Sheet 2023-4. Notice 2023-16 modifies the definition of certain vehicle classifications for the clean vehicle credits.

February 3, 2023: The IRS released a statement regarding the taxability of state payments made in 2022. The IRS is working with state tax officials to provide additional information and hopes to provide additional clarity by next week. The IRS recommends waiting until additional guidance is available if taxpayers are uncertain about the taxability of their state payments. The IRS does not recommend calling the IRS or amending a previously filed 2022 return.

February 3, 2023: The IRS released a report entitled, IRS Progress Update for Fiscal Year 2022. The publication [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup January 23 – January 27, 2023

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of January 23, 2023 – January 27, 2023.

January 23, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-4, which highlights the following:

  • Proposed Regulation 114666-22: This proposed regulation modifies the participant election rules in Section 1.401(a)-21(d), providing an alternative to in-person witnessing of spousal consents required to be witnessed by a notary public or plan representative. The proposed regulation also clarifies that certain rules for the use of an electronic medium for participant elections also apply to spousal consents.

January 23, 2023: The IRS is requesting comments concerning Form 5227, Split-Interest Trust Information Return, which is used to report the financial activities of a split-interest trust described in Section 4947(a)(2) and determine whether the trust is treated as a private foundation and thus subject to excise taxes. Written comments should be received by March 24, 2023.

January 23, 2023: The IRS announced the beginning of the 2023 tax filing season, with a focus on improving customer service. The IRS also urged taxpayers to file their returns electronically with direct deposit to expedite refunds and avoid delays. The deadline for most people to file tax returns this year is April 18, 2023, however, storm victims in Alabama, California and Georgia have until May 15, 2023.

January 23, 2023: The IRS is requesting comments related to proceeds of bonds used for reimbursement. This regulation clarifies when the allocation of bond proceeds to reimburse expenditures previously made by an issuer of the bond is treated as an expenditure of the bond proceeds. Written comments should be received by March 24, 2023.

January 23, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-06, which provides information about the adoption tax credit for families with adoption-related expenses. Taxpayers must complete Form 8839 to claim the credit and attach it to their tax return.

January 24, 2023: The IRS reminded taxpayers that they must answer a digital asset question and report all digital asset-related income when filing their 2022 federal income tax return. This is the same procedure as fiscal year 2021. The term “digital assets” has replaced “virtual currencies,” which was a term used in previous years. The question appears at the top of Forms 1040, Individual Income Tax Return; 1040-SR, U.S. Tax Return for Seniors; and 1040-NR, U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return.

January 24, 2023: The IRS reminded taxpayers to choose their tax preparer carefully. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for all the information on their income tax return, regardless of who prepares it. Anyone who is paid to prepare federal tax returns must have a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number.

January 24, 2023: The IRS released Tax Tip 2023-07, urging taxpayers to avoid common mistakes when filing their tax returns by carefully reviewing them. [...]

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Weekly IRS Roundup January 17 – January 20, 2023

Presented below is our summary of significant Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance and relevant tax matters for the week of January 17, 2023 – January 20, 2023.

January 17, 2023: The IRS released Internal Revenue Bulletin 2023-3, which highlights the following:

  • Notice 2023-10: This notice provides that calendar year 2022 will be a transition period for purposes of implementing the $600 reporting threshold for third-party settlement organizations. As a result, third-party organizations will not be required to report tax year 2022 transactions on Form 1099-K to the IRS or the payee for the lower $600 threshold amount unless the amount exceeds $20,000 and the number of transactions exceeds 200.
  • Notice 2023-2: This notice provides interim guidance on the new 1% excise tax on a covered corporation’s repurchases of corporate stock under Section 4501. Section 4501 was added as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). The notice provides an exclusive list of Section 317(b) redemption transactions that are treated as Section 317(b) redemption but are not repurchases, as well as an exclusive list of economically similar transactions. The notice applies to stock repurchases and issuances of stock made after December 31, 2022.
  • Announcement 2023-1: This announcement notifies taxpayers of the applicable reference standard that must be used to determine the amount of the energy-efficient commercial building property deduction allowed under Section 179D, as amended by the IRA. This announcement identifies the existing reference standard, affirms a new one and clarifies when the two reference standards will apply.
  • Notice 2023-1: This notice informs taxpayers that the IRS and the US Department of the Treasury (Treasury) intend to propose new clean vehicle credit regulations, addressing the definitions of certain terms in Section 30D.
  • Notice 2023-03: This notice provides the 2023 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. As of January 1, 2023, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van, pickup or panel truck are:
    • 5 cents per mile driven for business use
    • 22 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes for qualified active-duty members of the armed forces
    • 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
  • Notice 2023-7: This notice announces that the IRS and the Treasury plan to issue guidance on the new corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT), which imposes a 15% minimum tax on the adjusted financial statement income of large corporations for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022. It also clarifies which corporations the CAMT applies to and how the alternative minimum tax is calculated.
  • Notice 2023-9: This notice informs taxpayers that the Treasury and the IRS have reviewed the incremental cost for all street vehicles in calendar year 2023 and the analysis shows [...]

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