Auspicious or Ominous: IRS Increases Workforce by 14% in One Year... [ read ]
Within one year of its funding boost through the Inflation Reduction Act, the IRS has increased its workforce by nearly 11,000 workers, a 14% increase over 2022 staffing levels. Too fast too soon or just in time?
Another New IRS Audit Target: Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs)... [ read ]
In an August 9th announcement, the IRS said it has identified compliance issues for Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs). This is on the heels of recent IRS announcements regarding Malta Pension Plans, Puerto Rico Act 20/22/60 participants, Monetized Installment Sales, Cost of Goods Sold, and of course, Employee Retention Credits. According to IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, "The IRS is focusing on this transaction as part of the effort to ensure our tax laws are applied fairly and high-income filers pay the taxes they owe.
Anecdotal Evidence that the IRS' Commitment to Auditing ERC is Not Mere Rhetoric... [ read ]
The IRS has been extremely vocal about its intensifying scrutiny of ERC claims, with IRS Commissioner Werfel declaring at yesterday's IRS Nationwide Tax Forum that the IRS is "increasing audit and investigative activities against…businesses filing dubious [ERC] claims." But is the Commissioner, as we like to question in Texas, "all hat and no cattle"? Anecdotally, the answer is definitely not.
An Unexpected IRS Enforcement Initiative: IRS Adds "Cost of Goods Sold" to Audit Compliance Campaign... [ read ]
The IRS is seemingly moving from the exotic back to plain vanilla, announcing a compliance campaign focused on taxpayers that may have inflated their reported cost of goods sold to reduce their taxable income.
Making a List and Checking it Twice: IRS Identifies Monetized Installment Sales as Listed Transactions... [ read ]
In proposed regulations released today, the IRS has identified monetized installment sales as listed transactions. You probably have questions – herein you will find some answers.
IRS Counsel Releases Legal Memorandum Regarding Suspension of Operations for the Employee Retention Credit... [ read ]
On July 21, IRS Chief Counsel released a Generic Legal Advice Memorandum (GLAM) regarding "Whether an Employer Experienced a Full or Partial Suspension of the Operation of a Trade or Business under Section 2301 of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or Section 3134 of the Internal Revenue Code due to a Supply Chain Disruption."
IRS Agents Getting Too Big For Their Britches... [ read ]
It appears Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee think that IRS agents are "getting too big for their britches." In a July 18 letter to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel the lawmakers asked for information about three separate allegations of IRS agent misconduct.
IRS Criminal Investigation Targeting Puerto Rico Act 20/22/60 Participants... [ read ]
On July 14th, the IRS released a thank you to the Inflation Reduction Act highlighting its improved service, plans for updating its technology and enforcement initiatives. The enforcement initiatives in the announcement focus on high-income filers including millionaires who don't pay their tax or have unfiled tax returns, and millionaires who are attempting to evade paying their taxes.
Chat GPT: IRS Friend, Foe, or Both?... [ read ]
Undoubtedly one of the hottest topics of 2023 has been ChatGPT and what role it can play, or should it play, in the workforce. Whatever your thoughts, precaution is an absolute necessity as it relates to tax and IRS matters.
IRS Criminal Investigation of Malta Pension Plan... [ read ]
Last week the IRS' interest in the Malta Pension Plan (MPP) took a very serious turn as IRS Criminal Investigators started contacting professionals and taxpayers who participated in MPPs. The first indication of IRS interest in MPPs was when MPPs were included on the 2021 IRS Dirty Dozen list.
