- Newsletters

The IRS has outlined key provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21), signed into law on July 4, 2025, that introduce new deductions beginning in tax year 2025. The deductions apply through 2028 and cover qualified tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and a special allowance for seniors.

Under the “No Tax on Tips” provision, employees and self-employed individuals may deduct up to $25,000 in voluntary cash or charged tips received in IRS-designated tip-based occupations. Tips must be reported on Form W-2, Form 1099 or directly on Form 4137. The deduction phases out above $150,000 in modified adjusted gross income ($300,000 for joint filers). Self-employed individuals engaged in a Specified Service Trade or Business under Code Sec. 199A and employees of SSTBs are ineligible.

The “No Tax on Overtime” provision permits workers to deduct the premium portion of overtime pay required under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The deduction is capped at $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers), with a similar income-based phaseout.

The “No Tax on Car Loan Interest” rule allows individuals to deduct up to $10,000 in interest on loans used to purchase new, personal-use vehicles assembled in the U.S. Qualifying loans must originate after December 31, 2024, and be secured by the vehicle. Used and leased vehicles do not qualify. The deduction phases out for income above $100,000 ($200,000 for joint filers).

Finally, taxpayers aged 65 or older can claim a new $6,000 deduction per person in addition to the current senior standard deduction. The deduction phases out above $75,000 ($150,000 for joint filers).

All deductions are available to itemizing and non-itemizing taxpayers. Transition relief for tax year 2025 will be provided.

FS-2025-3

Close

Funding uncertainty and a constantly changing tax law environment are presenting challenges to the Internal Revenue Service as it works to meet legislative and executive mandates to improve the taxpayer experience.

A July Government Accountability Office report highlighted three specific challenges that the agency is facing as it works to improve the taxpayer experience.

GAO noted that "uncertainty about stable multiyear funding hinders efforts to modernize IRS computer systems and offer digital services to quickly resolve taxpayer issues. "

IRS had been using the supplemental funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act to help address these issues, but those fundings have been a constant target for Republicans in Congress as well as the current Trump Administration, despite regular calls for stable and adequate funding.

The second challenge GAO reported was that "complicated and changing tax laws limit IRS’s ability to offer timely guidance to taxpayers," the report states, though agency officials said it had plans in place to ensure the guidance flowing from the IRS is provided in a manner that is accurate, up-to-date, and available in a user-friendly format.

Staffing was highlighted as the third challenge.

GAO reported that "being unable to hire enough staff trained to help taxpayers can undercut the ability to optimally improve taxpayer experiences. IRS officials said IRS had efforts to boost hiring and training as well as improved systems to enable staff to improve taxpayer experiences."

However, in March 2025, "IRS officials said it was unclear how reductions to the IRA funding and to its staffing will affect these efforts to address the challenges," GAO reported.

The government watchdog also noted that IRS has not established key practices to:

Define taxpayer experience goals related to service improvements;
Generate new evidence from measures, analytical tools, and dashboards to track progress with the taxpayer experience goals;
Involve external stakeholders to help assess the affects of its service improvements on the taxpayer experience; and
Promote accountability for achieving the taxpayer experience goals.

"IRS officials said establishing an evidence-based approach using these and other key practices has been delayed," GAO reports. "The IRS offices that had been coordinating IRA and taxpayer experience initiatives were disbanded in March 2025 and April 2025, respectively, according to IRS officials."

GAO recommends that the agency "fully establish an evidence-based approach to determine the effects of service improvements on the taxpayer experience."

By Gregory Twachtman, Washington News Editor

Close

Audits on high-income individuals and partnerships have increased in recent years as audits on large corporations have decreased in response to the Internal Revenue Service’s focus on the former group, the Treasury Inspector General For Tax Administration found.

In a report on trends in compliance activities through fiscal year 2023 dated July 10, 2025, examination starts for partnerships increased 63 percent from FY 2020 (4,106 starts) to FY 2023 (6,709 starts), while examination starts decreased 18 percent in the same time frame from 1,700 to 1,400.

For individuals, the overall combined number of examinations open and closed from FY 2020 through 2023 decreased from 466,921 to 400,446. For individuals with income tax returns of $400,000 or less, the percentage of examinations opened and closed dropped from 94.8 percent to 91.2 percent (442,856 to 365,229) while the percentage of examinations opened and closed for individual income tax returns more than $400,000 increased from 5.2 percent to 8.8 percent (24,065 to 35,217).

"The IRS planned to increase enforcement activities to help ensure tax compliance among high-income and high-wealth individuals," TIGTA reported, adding that it planned to use the supplemental funding provided by the Inflation Reduction Act and that the IRS as of May 2024, the agency plans to audit twice the number of individual returns with more than $400,000 in FY 2024 compared to FY 2023.

However, whether the IRS will be able to meet any compliance goals for both individuals as well as partnerships and corporations is questionable, with agency’s "ability to move forward with hiring efforts in these complex audit areas of corporations, partnerships and high-income individuals is uncertain considering the decreased enforcement funding and recent government staffing cuts."

To that end, the agency’s Field Collection, Campus Collection, and Examination staff is already on a downward trend.

TIGTA reported that the staff decreased from 18,472 employees in FY 2020 to 17,475 in 2023 due to attrition. The Collection staff slightly increased from 7,246 to 7,371 and the Examination staff decreased from 11,226 to 10,104.

"The status of the IRS’s IRA plan, other IRA transformational initiatives, along with the IRS’s hiring plans is uncertain, at best," TIGTA reported. "Although the IRS made substantial progress with hiring 4,048 revenue officers and revenue agents in FY 2024, the recissions of IRA funding, the hiring freeze, early retirement incentives, and future reductions in force present a challenge to improving taxpayer service and enforcing the nation’s tax laws."

The report also noted that in FY 2023, $10.1 billion in enforcement revenue was collected by the Automated Collection System. Field Collection collected a total of $5.9 billion.

In a separate report dated July 10, 2025, TIGTA reported the IRS planned to increase examinations across individuals, partnerships and businesses reporting total positive income of more than $400,000 in FY 2024. The average starts from FY 2019-2023 was 29,466 and the IRS planned to increase that to 70,812. At the same time, the number of returns with a total positive income reported of less and $400,000 is planned to decrease from an average of 452,051 from FY 2019-2023 to 354,792 in FY 2024. But it is not clear whether the agency will be able to meet these targets even though it was on track to meet these goals.

The agency "has not defined key terminology or aspects of its methodology for compliance to meet with these goals as outlined in the 2022 Treasury Directive that higher income earners would be targeted for audit," TIGTA reported. "The IRS stated that the FY 2024 plan was created with the assumptions available at the time. Any subsequent decisions about these issues could affect the effectiveness of future examination plans in meeting compliance requirements."

TIGTA did not make any recommendations in either report and the IRS did not make any comments on them.

By Gregory Twachtman, Washington News Editor

Close

The IRS has released guidance clarifying the withholding and reporting obligations for employers and plan administrators when a retirement plan distribution check is uncashed and later reissued.

In the scenario addressed, a plan administrator issued an $800 designated distribution to a former employee, withheld the correct amount of federal income tax under Code Sec. 3405, and sent the remaining balance by check. When that check went uncashed and was subsequently voided, a second check was mailed. Because the original withholding amount was correct and fully remitted, the IRS has concluded that no refund or adjustment is available under Code Secs. 6413 or 6414, as there was no overpayment involved.

For the second check, the IRS has stated that no further withholding is required if the amount reissued is equal to or less than the original distribution. However, if the new amount exceeds the prior distribution—due, for example, to accumulated earnings—the excess portion is treated as a separate designated distribution subject to new withholding under Code Sec. 3405.

With respect to reporting obligations, the IRS noted that Code Sec. 6047(d) requires a Form 1099-R to be filed for designated distributions of $10 or more. For the first check, the $800 distribution must be reported for the applicable year, with the full amount listed in Boxes 1 and 2a, and the tax withheld in Box 4. No additional reporting is required for the second check if the amount is equal to or less than the original. However, if the second check includes an excess of $10 or more, that additional amount must be reported on a separate Form 1099-R for the year in which the second distribution occurs.

Rev. Rul. 2025-15

Close

The Treasury Department and the IRS have withdrawn proposed rules addressing the treatment of built-in income, gain, deduction, and loss taken into account by a loss corporation after an ownership change under Code Sec. 382(h). The withdrawal, effective July 2, 2025, follows public criticism on the proposed regulations’ approach.

The proposed rules were Reg. §1.382-1, proposed on September 10, 2019 (84 FR 47455), and Reg. §§1.382-1, 1.382-2 and 1.382-7, proposed on January 14, 2020 (85 FR 2061). The proposed regulations would have adopted as mandatory, with certain modifications, (a) the safe harbor net unrealized built-in gain (NUBIG) and net unrealized built-in loss (NUBIL) computation provided in Notice 2003-65, 2003-40 I.R.B. 747, based on the principles of Code Sec. 1374, and (b) the “1374 approach,” (as described in Notice 2003-65) for the identification of recognized built-in gain and recognized built-in loss. The IRS considered that the 1374 approach would make it easier for taxpayers to calculate built-in gains and built-in losses and comply with Code Sec. 382(h).

The IRS received critical comments from practitioners on the proposed rules, leading the agency to conclude that further study is needed before issuing any new proposed regulations.

The proposed regulations are withdrawn. Taxpayers may continue to rely on Notice 2003-65 for applying Code Sec. 382(h) to an ownership change before the effective date of any temporary or final regulations under Code Sec. 382(h).

Proposed Regulations, NPRM REG-125710-18

Close

The Treasury and IRS removed this final rule from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that involved gross proceeds reporting by brokers for effectuating digital asset sales.

The Treasury and IRS removed this final rule from the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) that involved gross proceeds reporting by brokers for effectuating digital asset sales. The agencies reverted the relevant text of the CFR back to the text that was in effect immediately prior to the effective date of this final rule.

Congress passed a joint resolution disapproving the final rule titled “Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers that Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales.” The Treasury Department and the IRS were not soliciting comments on this action, nor delaying the effective date.

Effective Date

This final rule is effective on July 11, 2025.

T.D. 10021

Close

A more then 25 percent reduction in the Internal Revenue Service workforce will likely present some significant challenges on the heels of a 2025 tax season described as a "measured success," according to the Office of the National Taxpayer Advocate.

In the "Fiscal Year 2026 Objectives Report to Congress," National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins noted that the 2025 filing season marked the IRS’ "third consecutive year of delivering a generally successful filing season, and by some measures, it was the smoothest yet. Most taxpayers filed their returns and paid their taxes or received their refunds without any delays or intervention from the IRS."

The report highlights that more than 95 percent of individual returns were filed electronically and more than 60 percent of taxpayers received refunds, "the majority within standard processing timeframes."

Despite having a successful season, the agency has reduced its workforce by more than 25 percent since the federal government under President Trump began cutting the federal workforce.

In analyzing what agency functions are affected by this workforce reduction, the report states that "many functions are more visible to taxpayers and directly impact service delivery, while other functions play vital supporting roles in providing taxpayer service and delivering on the IRS’s mission."

Collins in the report when on to encourage Congress ignore requests to cut the IRS budget and ensure the agency is properly staffed and financed.

"The Administration’s budget proposal envisions a 20 percent reduction in appropriated IRS funding next year and an overall reduction of 37 percent after taking into account after taking into account the decrease in supplemental funding from the Inflation Reduction Act. A reduction of that magnitude is likely to impact taxpayers and potentially the revenue collected."

The issues of the workforce reduction could be compounded by the expected permanent extension of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Collins stated that most of the changes related to the extension won’t take effect until January 1, 2026, "but several provisions impacting tens of millions of taxpayers will likely be effective during the 2025. This suggests additional complexity with taxpayers file their 2025 tax returns during the 2026 filing season and more complexity the following year. In addition, the reduction of more than 25 percent in the IRS workforce has the potential to reduce taxpayer services."

The report also echoed ongoing calls it has made in the past, as well as calls by other stakeholders, to continue to improve its information technology modernization strategy. Collins notes that in recent years, "the agency has made notable strides in modernizing its systems. … If this momentum continues, the IRS will be well positioned to deliver high quality service, enhance the taxpayer experience, and perhaps improve tax compliance at a reduced cost."

She highlighted the improvements that were made possible through the supplemental funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, but added that the Trump Administration has paused indefinitely or cancelled projects and replaced them with nine distinct modernization "’vertical,’ which are technology projects designed to meet specified technology demands."

"While these initiatives are promising, the IRS must provide clear and detailed communication to Congress and the public regarding the objectives, scope, business value, milestones, projected timelines, costs, and anticipated impacts of these nine vertical projects on taxpayer service," the report stated. "Without such transparency, there is a real risk these initiatives could stall or deviate from their intended outcomes."

Collins also made a case for sustained funding for IT improvements, recalling a 2023 blog post where she highlighted that large U.S. banks "spend between $10 billion and $14 billion a year on technology, often more than half on new technology systems. Yet in fiscal year (FY) 2022, Congress appropriated just $275 million for the IRS’s Business Systems Modernization (BSM) account. That’s less than five percent of what the largest banks are spending on new technology each year, and the IRS services far more people and entities than any bank."

By Gregory Twachtman, Washington News Editor

IR-2025-71

Close

The Internal Revenue Service Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC) released its 2025 annual report during a public meeting in Washington, D.C., outlining 14 recommendations—ten directed to the IRS and four to Congress.

The Internal Revenue Service Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC) released its 2025 annual report during a public meeting in Washington, D.C., outlining 14 recommendations—ten directed to the IRS and four to Congress. ETAAC operates under the Federal Advisory Committee Act and collaborates with the Security Summit, a joint initiative established in 2015 by the IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry to address identity theft and cybercrime.

ETAAC recommended that the IRS update tax return forms to strengthen security and reduce fraud and identity theft. It also advised the agency to revise Modernized e-File reject codes and explanations, expand information sharing with state and industry partners, and continue transitioning taxpayers toward fully digital interactions.

Congress was urged to support tax simplification aligned with policy objectives, grant the IRS authority to regulate non-credentialed tax return preparers, ensure stable funding for taxpayer services and operations, and prioritize sustained technology modernization. For more information, visit the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC) page.

IR-2025-72

Close

As the 2015 tax filing season comes to an end, now is a good time to begin thinking about next year's returns. While it may seem early to be preparing for 2016, taking some time now to review your recordkeeping will pay off when it comes time to file next year.

Taxpayers are required to keep accurate, permanent books and records so as to be able to determine the various types of income, gains, losses, costs, expenses and other amounts that affect their income tax liability for the year. The IRS generally does not require taxpayers to keep records in a particular way, and recordkeeping does not have to be complicated. However, there are some specific recordkeeping requirements that taxpayers should keep in mind throughout the year.

Business Expense Deductions

A business can choose any recordkeeping system suited to their business that clearly shows income and expenses. The type of business generally affects the type of records a business needs to keep for federal tax purposes. Purchases, sales, payroll, and other transactions that incur in a business generate supporting documents. Supporting documents include sales slips, paid bills, invoices, receipts, deposit slips, and canceled checks. Supporting documents for business expenses should show the amount paid and that the amount was for a business expense. Documents for expenses include canceled checks; cash register tapes; account statements; credit card sales slips; invoices; and petty cash slips for small cash payments.

The Cohan rule. A taxpayer generally has the burden of proving that he is entitled to deduct an amount as a business expense or for any other reason. However, a taxpayer whose records or other proof is not adequate to substantiate a claimed deduction may be allowed to deduct an estimated amount under the so-called Cohan rule. Under this rule, if a taxpayer has no records to provide the amount of a business expense deduction, but a court is satisfied that the taxpayer actually incurred some expenses, the court may make an allowance based on an estimate, if there is some rational basis for doing so.

However, there are special recordkeeping requirements for travel, transportation, entertainment, gifts and listed property, which includes passenger automobiles, entertainment, recreational and amusement property, computers and peripheral equipment, and any other property specified by regulation. The Cohan rule does not apply to those expenses. For those items, taxpayers must substantiate each element of an expenditure or use of property by adequate records or by sufficient evidence corroborating the taxpayer's own statement.

Individuals

Record keeping is not just for businesses. The IRS recommends that individuals keep the following records:
Copies of Tax Returns. Old tax returns are useful in preparing current returns and are necessary when filing an amended return.
Adoption Credit and Adoption Exclusion. Taxpayers should maintain records to support any adoption credit or adoption assistance program exclusion.
Employee Expenses. Travel, entertainment and gift expenses must be substantiated through appropriate proof. Receipts should be retained and a log may be kept for items for which there is no receipt. Similarly, written records should be maintained for business mileage driven, business purpose of the trip and car expenses for business use of a car.
Business Use of Home. Records must show the part of the taxpayer's home used for business and that such use is exclusive. Records are also needed to show the depreciation and expenses for the business part of the home.
Capital Gains and Losses. Records must be kept showing the cost of acquiring a capital asset, when the asset was acquired, how the asset was used, and, if sold, the date of sale, the selling price and the expenses of the sale.
Basis of Property. Homeowners must keep records of the purchase price, any purchase expenses, the cost of home improvements and any basis adjustments, such as depreciation and deductible casualty losses.
Basis of Property Received as a Gift. A donee must have a record of the donor's adjusted basis in the property and the property's fair market value when it is given as a gift. The donee must also have a record of any gift tax the donor paid.
Service Performed for Charitable Organizations. The taxpayer should keep records of out-of-pocket expenses in performing work for charitable organizations to claim a deduction for such expenses.
Pay Statements. Taxpayers with deductible expenses withheld from their paychecks should keep their pay statements for a record of the expenses.
Divorce Decree. Taxpayers deducting alimony payments should keep canceled checks or financial account statements and a copy of the written separation agreement or the divorce, separate maintenance or support decree.

Don't forget receipts. In addition, the IRS recommends that the following receipts be kept:

Proof of medical and dental expenses;
Form W-2, Wage and Tax Statement, and canceled checks showing the amount of estimated tax payments;
Statements, notes, canceled checks and, if applicable, Form 1098, Mortgage Interest Statement, showing interest paid on a mortgage;
Canceled checks or receipts showing charitable contributions, and for contributions of $250 or more, an acknowledgment of the contribution from the charity or a pay stub or other acknowledgment from the employer if the contribution was made by deducting $250 or more from a single paycheck;
Receipts, canceled checks and other documentary evidence that evidence miscellaneous itemized deductions; and
Pay statements that show the amount of union dues paid.

Electronic Records/Electronic Storage Systems

Records maintained in an electronic storage system, if compliant with IRS specifications, constitute records as required by the Code. These rules apply to taxpayers that maintain books and records by using an electronic storage system that either images their hard-copy books and records or transfers their computerized books and records to an electronic storage media, such as an optical disk.

The electronic storage rules apply to all matters under the jurisdiction of the IRS including, but not limited to, income, excise, employment and estate and gift taxes, as well as employee plans and exempt organizations. A taxpayer's use of a third party, such as a service bureau or time-sharing service, to provide an electronic storage system for its books and records does not relieve the taxpayer of the responsibilities described in these rules. Unless otherwise provided under IRS rules and regulations, all the requirements that apply to hard-copy books and records apply as well to books and records that are stored electronically under these rules.

Close

Often, timing is everything or so the adage goes. From medicine to sports and cooking, timing can make all the difference in the outcome. What about with taxes? What are your chances of being audited? Does timing play a factor in raising or decreasing your risk of being audited by the IRS? For example, does the time when you file your income tax return affect the IRS's decision to audit you? Some individuals think filing early will decrease their risk of an audit, while others file at the very-last minute, believing this will reduce their chance of being audited. And some taxpayers don't think timing matters at all.

What your return says is key

If it's not the time of filing, what really increases your audit potential? The information on your return, your income bracket and profession--not when you file--are the most significant factors that increase your chances of being audited. The higher your income the more attractive your return becomes to the IRS. And if you're self-employed and/or work in a profession that generates mostly cash income, you are also more likely to draw IRS attention.

Further, you may pique the IRS's interest and trigger an audit if:

You claim a large amount of itemized deductions or an unusually large amount of deductions or losses in relation to your income;
You have questionable business deductions;
You are a higher-income taxpayer;
You claim tax shelter investment losses;
Information on your return doesn't match up with information on your 1099 or W-2 forms received from your employer or investment house;
You have a history of being audited;
You are a partner or shareholder of a corporation that is being audited;
You are self-employed or you are a business or profession currently on the IRS's "hit list" for being targeted for audit, such as Schedule C (Form 1040) filers);
You are primarily a cash-income earner (i.e. you work in a profession that is traditionally a cash-income business)
You claim the earned income tax credit;
You report rental property losses; or
An informant has contacted the IRS asserting you haven't complied with the tax laws.

DIF score

Most audits are generated by a computer program that creates a DIF score (Discriminate Information Function) for your return. The DIF score is used by the IRS to select returns with the highest likelihood of generating additional taxes, interest and penalties for collection by the IRS. It is computed by comparing certain tax items such as income, expenses and deductions reported on your return with national DIF averages for taxpayers in similar tax brackets.

E-filed returns. There is a perception that e-filed returns have a higher audit risk, but there is no proof to support it. All data on hand-written returns end up in a computer file at the IRS anyway; through a combination of a scanning and a hand input procedure that takes place soon after the return is received by the Service Center. Computer cross-matching of tax return data against information returns (W-2s, 1099s, etc.) takes place no matter when or how you file.

Early or late returns. Some individuals believe that since the pool of filed returns is small at the beginning of the filing season, they have a greater chance of being audited. There is no evidence that filing your tax return early increases your risk of being audited. In fact, if you expect a refund from the IRS you should file early so that you receive your refund sooner. Additionally, there is no evidence of an increased risk of audit if you file late on a valid extension. The statute of limitations on audits is generally three years, measured from the due date of the return (April 18 for individuals this year, but typically April 15) whether filed on that date or earlier, or from the date received by the IRS if filed after April 18.

Amended returns. Since all amended returns are visually inspected, there may be a higher risk of being examined. Therefore, weigh the risk carefully before filing an amended return. Amended returns are usually associated with the original return. The Service Center can decide to accept the claim or, if not, send the claim and the original return to the field for examination.

Close

Legislation enacted during the past few years, including the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 and the more recently enacted Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 (2010 Tax Relief Act), contains a number of important tax law changes that affect 2011. Key changes for 2011 affect both individuals and businesses. Certain tax breaks you benefited from in 2010, or before, may have changed in amount, timing, or may no longer be available in 2011. However, new tax incentives may be valuable. This article highlights some of the significant tax changes for 2011.

New payroll tax cut for wage earners

New for calendar 2011 is a payroll tax cut for wage earners and self-employed individuals. The payroll tax cut, as provided by the 2010 Tax Relief Act, reduces the employee's share of Social Security taxes by two percent, from 6.2 percent to 4.2 percent, for all wages earned during the 2011 calendar year, up to the taxable wage base of $106,800. Future Social Security is not affected by the payroll tax cut.

Many workers can expect to see an average tax savings of more than $1,000 as a result of the new payroll tax cut. For example, a single individual who earns $40,000 annually and is paid weekly will see an extra $15 in her paycheck every week. A single individual who earns $60,000 annually and is paid bi-weekly will see an extra $46 in her paycheck.

Self-employed individuals also benefit from the payroll tax cut. Self-employed individuals will pay 10.4 percent on self-employment income up to the threshold.

Payroll companies and employers are responsible for implementing the payroll tax cut; employees do not need to adjust their withholding or take any other action. However, it is always a good decision regardless to review your withholding to ensure you are not withholding too much or too little.

No more Making Work Pay Credit. The payroll tax cut replaces the Making Work Pay Credit (MWPC), which expired at the end of 2010 and was not renewed for 2011. The MWPC provided a refundable tax credit of up to $400 for qualified single individuals and up to $800 for married taxpayers filing joint returns for 2009 and 2010.

Residential energy improvement credits

For individuals who may be making energy-efficient improvements to their homes in 2011 important changes have taken place for a popular tax credit. The 2010 Tax Relief Act extended the Code Sec. 25C nonbusiness energy efficient property credit for homeowners for one year, through December 31, 2011. However, more restrictive rules apply for 2011 than applied in 2010. Effective for property placed in service after December 31, 2010, an individual is entitled to a credit against tax in an amount equal to:

10 percent of the amount paid or incurred for qualified energy efficiency improvements (building envelope components) installed during the tax year, and
The amount of residential energy property expenditures paid or incurred during the tax year.

The maximum credit allowable is $500 over the lifetime of the taxpayer. The $500 amount must be reduced by the aggregate amount of previously allowed credits the taxpayer received in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. There are certain restrictions on the amounts claimed for certain items as well. The amount claimed for windows and skylights in a year can not exceed $200 less the total of the credits you claimed for these items in all earlier tax years ending after December 31, 2005. The credit also can not exceed:

-- $50 for an advanced main circulating fan;
-- $150 for any qualified natural gas, propane, or hot water boiler; and
-- $300 for any item of energy efficient property

Energy-efficient credit for contractors

The 2010 Tax Relief Act retroactively extends the new energy efficient home credit for eligible contractors for two years, through December 31, 2011. Eligible contractors can claim a credit of $2,000 or $1,000 for each qualified new energy efficient home either constructed by the contractor or acquired by a person from the contractor for use as a residence during the tax year.

Annuity contracts

Beginning in 2011, taxpayers may partially annuitize non-retirement plan annuity payments they receive from an annuity contract. This partial annuitization applies to amounts you receive in tax years beginning after December 31, 2010 and applies to such an annuity, endowment or life insurance contract. If you receive an annuity for a period of 10 years or longer, or over one or more lives, under any portion of the annuity, endowment or life insurance contract, that portion is treated as a separate contract for purposes of annuity taxation.

FSAs, HSAs and Archers MSAs

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act enacted in 2010 places new limits on flexible spending arrangements (FSAs), health savings accounts (HSAs) and Archer medical savings accounts (Archer MSAs). After December 31, 2010, a distribution from an FSA, HSA or Archer MSA for a medicine or drug is a tax-free qualified medical expense only if the medicine or drug is a prescribed drug (determined without regard to whether such drug is available without a prescription) or is insulin. Additionally, for distributions made after 2010, the additional tax on distributions from an HSA that are not used for qualified medical expenses increases significantly, from 10 percent to 20 percent of the disbursed amount. The additional tax on distributions from an Archer MSA that are not used for qualified medical expenses increases from 15 percent to 20 percent of the disbursed amount.

Simple Cafeteria Plans for small employers

Beginning January 1, 2011, certain small employers can adopt "simple cafeteria plans," which provide certain nontaxable benefits to employees. Eligible employers generally include those with an average of 100 or fewer employees on business days during either of the two preceding tax years. Benefits of simple cafeteria plans can include certain medical coverage, group-term life insurance, flexible spending accounts (FSAs), and dependent care assistance.

New electronic filing rules for employers

Nearly all employers must use the IRS Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) for federal tax payments made in 2011. Beginning after December 31, 2010, employers must use electronic funds transfer (EFT) to make all federal tax deposits, including deposits of employment tax, excise tax, and corporate income tax. After December 31, 2010, Forms 8109 and 8109-B, Federal Tax Deposit Coupon, can no longer be used.

Employer payroll tax forgiveness expires

Qualified employers who hired unemployed workers after February 3, 2010 and prior to January 1, 2011 may have been eligible for payroll tax forgiveness. The Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act (HIRE Act) provided temporary forgiveness of the employer-share of Social Security tax for eligible new-hires. For each worker retained for at least a year, businesses may claim an additional general business tax credit, up to $1,000 per worker, when they file their 2011 income tax returns.

New broker basis reporting rules

Beginning in 2011, generally all brokers who are required to file information returns reporting gross proceeds of a "covered security" (such as corporate stock), must include in the return the customer's adjusted basis in the security. A broker must report the adjusted basis and type of gain (long term or short term gain or loss) for most stock acquired on or after January 1, 2011.

Reporting is generally undertaken on Form 1099-B, Proceeds from Broker and Barter Exchange Transactions. A "covered security" includes all stock acquired beginning in 2011, as mentioned above, except for stock in a mutual fund (regulated investment company or RIC) or stock acquired in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan (DRP). Reporting for these and other types of securities and options will need to be reported beginning after 2012 and 2013.

Real estate reporting requirements

Beginning in 2011, taxpayers receiving rental income from real estate who make payments of $600 or more during the tax year to a service provider (excluding incorporated entities) must provide an information return to the IRS, as well as the provider, reporting the payments. Typically, the information is to be reported on Form 1099-Misc. Certain exceptions, such as for hardship or active members of the uniformed services or employees of the intelligence community apply.

These are just some of the many important tax changes that expired at the end of 2010 or take effect this year. Please contact our office if you have any questions.

Close