September 12, 2014
Stagnant Salaries a Lingering Weak Spot for Job Market
The U.S. job market has steadily improved by pretty much every gauge except the one Americans probably care about most: Pay.
September 11, 2014
Bipartisan Representatives Urge Congressional Leaders to Save Cash Method of Accounting
A bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives – 233 members – have signed a letter urging the House leadership to preserve the cash method of accounting for tax purposes, writing that proposals requiring a transition to the accrual method ...
September 11, 2014
CPAs Challenge the IRS on PTIN Fees
First, a federal appeals court invalidated most of the regulations imposing continuing education and other regulatory requirements imposed by the IRS on tax return preparers (Loving, et al v. IRS, Civil Action 12-385 (JEB), U.S. Dist. Ct. DC, 1/18/13). .
September 10, 2014
IRS Direct Pay System Passes One Million Payments Made
With more than one million tax payments already processed this year through IRS Direct Pay, the Internal Revenue Service is encouraging taxpayers with upcoming tax payment deadlines to consider choosing this free online system to quickly and easily pay what they owe.
September 9, 2014
New IRS YouTube Videos Focus on Healthcare Reform, Tax Form Changes
The Internal Revenue Service has released several new YouTube videos to help taxpayers get important information about the Affordable Care Act and tax return filing.
September 9, 2014
Tax Professionals Sue the IRS to End PTIN Fees
A pair of Certified Public Accountants has filed suit against the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department in an effort to stop the government from imposing fees on tax preparers (Preparer Tax Identification Number) and to recover fees, plus interest, that they and other preparers have paid in past years.
September 9, 2014
White Paper Explores 5 Ways to be a Better Tax Researcher
Thomson Reuters has released a new white paper for tax professionals, Unlocking the Limits of the Keyword: 5 Ways to be a Better Tax Researcher. The paper addresses key challenges practitioners face when answering complex tax questions — exploring the evolution of the tax research process from print to digital and examining the viability of…
September 7, 2014
IRS Puts Up Roadblocks for Business Car Deductions
The IRS strictly limits deductions for vehicles used for business driving under the so-called luxury car rules. But that’s not the most upsetting part to many taxpayers. It’s the notion that the “luxury car” limits apply to vehicles costing well under $20,000. This is hardly what the average person considers to be a luxury car.
September 3, 2014
Charitable Giving up 3.4 Percent During Summer
The latest charitable giving trends report from Blackbaud shows that overall charitable giving to nonprofits increased 3.1% and online giving increased 8.0% for the three months ending July 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013.
September 1, 2014
Using Your Car for Business Purposes? Keep Good Records for the Tax Deduction
What often sets business taxpayers apart from individuals is the potential for deducting expenses relating to business driving. For virtually everyone else, the cost associated with operating a car or other vehicle is a nondeductible personal expense. However, if you use your own vehicle for business trips, you’re usually entitled to deductions on your federal…
September 1, 2014
6 Tips for Small Business Owners To Reduce Effect of Minimum Wage Increases
Recent legislation in thirteen states to raise the minimum wage, various increases in some cities across the country, and news that an executive order may soon mandate an increase on federal contracts, means small business owners will face yet another challenge to build, sustain and grow their business in a difficult economic environment.
August 28, 2014
5 Ways to Spot Fake IRS Phone Calls
The Internal Revenue Service continues to warn taxpayers across the country of a series of scam phone calls from people pretending to be IRS officials in order to get sensitive personal information. On Thursday, the agency issued a new consumer alert to provide taxpayers with additional tips to protect themselves.