Tax Section Odyssey

According to the FBI, cybercrime has increased by 300% since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more crucial than ever, tax practitioners need to remain vigilant and one step ahead of cybercriminals in the everchanging world of data security. Listen in to a frank discussion on cybersecurity with April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager — AICPA Tax Section and special guest Byron Shinn, CPA, Par...

From a record number of unprocessed returns to the inability to contact the IRS, these ongoing issues continue to be a problem for taxpayers and tax practitioners. The Tax Professionals United for Taxpayer Relief Coalition — a diverse group of stakeholders from the tax community including the AICPA — is taking steps to help by providing recommendations the IRS can implement now and raising the pro...

The IRS is now accepting and processing 2021 tax returns — a signal that the official start of the busy tax filing season is here. While it's a new year, this tax season has similar vibes as the past two years but with some new obstacles as well. On this Tax Section Odyssey episode, April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager – AICPA Tax Section sits down with Daniel Moore, CPA, Owner — D.T. Moore & Com...

A new year has arrived, and it's an opportune time to pause and take some time to reflect on new goals and consider what's possible. It's been a rough 18 months since the start of the pandemic, and tax practitioners continue to brave the storm of seemingly never-ending tax legislation, related guidance and client mentoring. April Walker, CPA, CGMA, from the AICPA Tax Section and host of the Tax Se...

The IRS recently released long-awaited guidance related to PPP forgiveness with three revenue procedures — Rev. Procs.  2021-48 ,  2021-49  and  2021-50 . Earlier in the year, the AICPA submitted a letter to the IRS requesting guidance for a range of issues which are addressed in the revenue procedures. These include: The timing for tax purposes of when PPP loan forgiveness is received or accrued...

In these challenging times, many CPAs may be contemplating if working in the profession among constant chaos is worth it. In this Tax Section Odyssey episode, Tony Nitti, CPA chats with April Walker, CPA, CGMA, from the AICPA Tax Section, about the current state of the profession and its future. Professionals at all levels of their careers will find something they can relate to and perhaps hear so...

In June 2021, the IRS released final versions of two new international-related schedules that are being added to passthrough entity returns: Schedule K-2, Partners' Distributive Share Items — International Schedule K-3, Partner's Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, etc. — International The new international-related schedules will be required for 2021 partnership and S corporation returns and 202...

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was approved in the House of Representatives on Nov. 5, 2021 and is headed to President Joe Biden's desk to be signed into law. The House passed the legislation by a 228–206 vote after it passed the Senate by a 69–30 vote in August. In this Tax Section Odyssey episode, April Walker, CPA, CGMA, from the AICPA Tax Section, highlights major tax-related items...

Many tax practitioners think their clients are insulated from the world of international tax issues. However, as the business environment continues to evolve globally, tax practitioners need to make sure they are taking inventory of various international tax matters. International tax policies can dramatically affect business decisions, job creation and retention and office and plant locations. Ha...

The 2021 PCPS CPA Firm Top Issues Survey polled firms of all sizes to get a pulse on the top pressing issues impacting them. In this Tax Section Odyssey episode, April Walker, CPA, CGMA, from the AICPA Tax Section and Brad Barbour, CPA, from the AICPA Private Companies Practice Section, and host of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast discuss tax-related challenges that emerged in the 2021 CPA Firm T...

As virtual currencies gain more traction in the marketplace, the IRS is taking notice. Your clients may be unaware of the tax reporting requirements and the tax implications from their cryptocurrency transactions.  In this Tax Section Odyssey episode, April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager — Tax Practice & Ethics, Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA &...

As a tax practitioner during the revolving door of tax law changes this year, you might have asked yourself questions such as: Can I bill my clients for PPP loan assistance? How do I bill my clients for employee retention credit consultations? How do I get my long-time clients to value and agree to pay for the high-quality services that I offer each year? If any of the above apply, we have some ti...

The impact of disasters can be life changing. Fortunately, special tax law provisions may aid in the recovery efforts for individual taxpayers and businesses alike. Depending on the circumstances, the IRS may grant additional time to file returns and pay taxes. Victims may also be able to deduct casualty losses that occurred. In this Tax Section Odyssey podcast episode, Jerry Schreiber, CPA, partn...

The Association of International Certified Professional Accountants provides the world's most highly skilled accountants with knowledge, insight and foresight to meet the demands of a disruptive world. It is a driving force in a dynamic profession that powers trust, opportunity and prosperity for people, businesses and economies worldwide.   But the Association can't do its work without the dedica...

The employee retention credit (ERC) is a new credit created in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed in March 2020 and later modified with subsequent legislation. Tax preparers and their clients have been anticipating updated guidance on several remaining questions related to the ERC. On August 4, the IRS issued Notice 2021-49 and accompanying IR-2021-165 . Further,...

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has impacted both the personal and professional lives of CPAs and their clients. The legislative changes alone provided an incredible amount of complexity to sift through, but the trailing guidance thereafter has compounded the intricacy. Two of the most talked about pieces of enacted legislation is the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the employee retention cred...

Summer may be in full swing, but tax practitioners still need to be mindful of certain alerts and deadlines that might have gotten lost in the shuffle earlier this year. Annette Nellen, CPA, CGMA, Esq., Tax Professor – MST Program at San Jose State University, and a past Chair of the AICPA Tax Executive Committee, shares her summer hit list of items to be aware of including: Discussion on how to r...

The pressure to adapt business models to the present while simultaneously preparing for the future has always been a force acting upon professionals.    On this Tax Section Odyssey episode, April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager — Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA & CIMA, and Donald A. Nelson, EA, Co-Founder — Pacesetter Tax, discuss current technol...

On this Tax Section Odyssey episode, April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager — Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA & CIMA, and Larry Pon, CPA/PFS, CFP, EA, USTCP, AEP — Pon & Associates, review the changes to the 2021 child tax credit (CTC) and discuss the latest news regarding the related advanced payments. The American Rescue Plan Act enacted in Marc...

The employee retention credit (ERC) has been a significant lifeline to struggling businesses in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The refundable credit was first established in March 2020 with the enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Since then, is has been expanded in various other relief legislation, most recently in the American Rescue Plan Act, H.R. 1319...

The past 15 months have been a whirlwind in the tax arena with several COVID-19 relief packages introducing new tax provisions and enhancements to older ones now passed and packed away. President Biden, his administration and Congress are turning their attention to more permanent legislative tax reform measures. On this Tax Section Odyssey episode, April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager – AICPA Tax...