Saturday, January 22, 2011

IRS News Events from Stakeholder Liaison - 21 January 2011

 Practitioner email group:
 

 Please share with your members and colleagues.  Select the blue links to see the full article.


 

Newsroom                                                                          January 21, 2011

 

IRS to Start Processing Delayed Returns on Feb. 14; Most People Unaffected and Can File Now
IR-2011-7, Jan. 20, 2011 — The Internal Revenue Service plans a Feb. 14 start date for processing tax returns delayed by last month’s tax law changes.

IRS e-file Launches Today; Most Taxpayers Can File Immediately
IR-2011-4, Jan. 14, 2011 — The Internal Revenue Service opened its 21st season of electronic filing today with a reminder to taxpayers that e-file remains the best way to get fast refunds and ensure accurate tax returns, particularly following several tax law changes in December.

IRS Reminds Small Charities to Check Their Reporting Requirements Because They May Have Gotten Simpler
IR-2011-3, Jan. 13, 2011 — Most tax exempt organizations that had receipts of $50,000 or less during 2010 can file the e-Postcard instead of the standard Form 990, up from $25,000 in prior years.

 

IMRS Hot Issues – January 5, 2011

IRS Helps Small Employers Claim New Health Care Tax Credit, IRS Continues Efforts to Ensure Accurate Return Preparation and more . . .


 

IRS Headliners & Technical Guidance

 

Headliner Volume 307, January 6, 2011 - IRS Reminds Aggregate Filers to Use Schedule R for Form 941 and Form 940

 

Revenue Procedure 2011-14 provides the current procedures for obtaining automatic consent for a change in method of accounting and modifies the procedures in Rev. Proc. 97-27 for requesting and obtaining non-automatic advance consent for a change in method of accounting.  Revenue Procedure 2011-14 will appear in IRB 2011-4 dated Jan. 24, 2011.

 

Notice 2011-06 provides guidance regarding the implementation of new Treasury regulations governing tax return preparers regarding the requirement to obtain a preparer tax identification number (PTIN), identifies the forms that qualify as tax returns or claims for refund for purposes of those regulations, and provides interim rules applicable to certain PTIN holders during the implementation phase of the new regulations governing tax return preparers. 

 

Revenue Procedure 2011-12 provides the cost-of-living adjustments to certain items for 2011 as required under the Internal Revenue Code.  The cost-of-living adjustments for 2011 for other items were previously published in Rev. Proc. 2010-40, 2010-46 I.R.B. 663 (dated November 15, 2010).

 

IRS Issues Fact Sheets to Help Taxpayers in 2011 - To kick of the tax filing season, the IRS has issued fact sheets to provide information on the many topics, including:  answers to federal tax questions, help with filing a return, special tax credit and much more!


 

Events

 

National/Local Phone Forums and Webinars for Practitioners

(http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=158856,00.html)

 

IRS Live

(http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=223591,00.html)

 


 

I hope you find this information useful.  If you would like additional information, you can subscribe to an IRS e-Subscription by going to the Subscription page on IRS.gov.

 

If you would like to discontinue receiving my local Stakeholder Liaison e-mails, please e-mail me at   James.R.Kinsey @irs.gov and request removal of your name.

 

 

 

 

 James R. Kinsey
 
Sr Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
Communication, Liaison & Disclosure
SB/SE Division
Work 408-817-6842
Fax 408-817-4601

 

 

 

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Filin Season Letter

January 12, 2011

 

 

Dear California Tax Practitioner,

 

As the IRS Stakeholder Liaison (SL) Area Manager for California, I want to thank you for your past support and ask for your continued partnership with me and your local Stakeholder Liaisons. We are proud to be in our sixth year as the practitioners' gateway to the IRS. We have had a busy year, holding practitioner events, conducting National Phone Forums and webinars, and establishing Web-based tax centers.

 

Practitioners provided our local SLs many suggestions on how to improve IRS systems. This partnership strengthens our mutual commitment to ensuring taxpayer compliance with federal tax responsibilities.   SL is committed to getting you the information you need. Although we do not answer tax law questions or have access to your clients' tax accounts, we can steer you in the right direction.   

 

How SL can help you navigate the IRS

I encourage you to use our free products, as this is the best way to stay up to date with what is happening at the IRS. For instance subscribe to e-News for Tax Professionals for weekly news briefs, and check out Key Messages for Tax Professionals, which is updated on a quarterly basis.  We also offer practitioner "tax centers", "IRS Tax Calendar widget" and other "widgets" that link from your organization's Web site to ours, making it easy to find frequently-used Web pages.

 

You may also join our free, educational National Phone Forums and Webinars from the convenience of your office, and check out IRS Live where tax professionals are encouraged to watch the free live webinar and submit questions by e-mail during the webinar.  Our new IRS Video Portal is a great resource as well to view video clips of tax topics, archived versions of live panel discussions and webinars, as well as audio archives of national phone forums.

 

And be assured that IRS.gov has more than just forms and publications. You will find the latest news, online tools, research services, guidance and contact information.  IRS en EspaƱol, the IRS.gov Spanish counterpart, is available for translated information.   

 

How to keep up-to-date with the New Return Preparer Regulations

IRS has a new Return Preparer Office which will be led by David R. Williams. This office is responsible for implementing the new requirements. Read New Tax Preparer Requirements - Overview to keep current on the implementation of the three phases. For information on Phase 1: Apply for or renew your PTIN; check out our Web page for New PTIN Requirements for Tax Return Preparers.  We have a Web page with answers to New Requirements for Tax Return Preparers: Frequently Asked Questions. For additional PTIN information, contact the IRS Tax Professional PTIN Information Line at 877-813-PTIN (7846); Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. -5 p.m. (CST).

 

Check out Many Tax Return Preparers Required to Use IRS e-file Beginning in 2011 for information on the new e-file rules and learn how to become an authorized e-file provider.

 

How you can help your clients and colleagues

We introduced the Issue Management Resolution System four years ago and have had more than a thousand IMRS issues submitted. Use IMRS to let us know when you have identified a problem or simply have a suggestion to improve our processes.  Some of the successes are available in our IMRS report on IRS.gov. 

 

Help us find ways to further our partnership and work with us to reach more practitioners through joint events or webinars. We invite you to include IRS information in your newsletter and Web site, post a tax center on your Web site or volunteer to teach a Small Business Tax Workshop in your community. Share what you learn with your colleagues.   

 

Lastly stay in touch with your local SL. If you need assistance in California, contact one of the Stakeholder Liaison employees below.

 

 

James R Kinsey

San Jose

Gerry Kelly-Brenner

Oakland

Keith Kershner

Fresno

Phone: 408-817-6842

Phone: 510-637-3036

Phone: 213-435-8755

 

Fax: 408-817-4601

 

Fax: 510-637-2434

 

Fax: 559-443-7598

 

Email:

James.R.Kinsey@irs.gov

 

 

Email:

Geraldine.Kelly-Brenner@irs.gov

 

Email:

Keith.D.Kershner@irs.gov

 

 

If you prefer, you may also contact me, Joyce Peneau, Western Area, Area Manager for Stakeholder Liaison, at 510-637-4360 or Joyce.H.Peneau@irs.gov.

 

Filing season can be a challenging and stressful time. Together, we can make it easier. Use our free tools, products, and services, and raise your issues and concerns through your local Stakeholder Liaison. 

 

 

Sincerely,

 

Joyce Peneau Stakeholder Liaison Area Manager, Western Area. Area

Joyce.H.Peneau@irs.gov.

 

 
 

Nationwide Tax Forums Online and Coming to San Jose

Practitioner Email Group:
       
        The IRS National Tax Forum is coming to San Jose >Tuesday, August 9 - Thursday, August 11, 2011
Stay tuned for registration information.
 
 
       The IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online (NTFO) provides information for tax professionals from the speakers at the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums. Another cost-effective way to fulfill mandatory educational requirements
 
 
Visit the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online at  http://www.irstaxforumsonline.com
 
        NTFO available on your computer 24/7Audit courses for free! 
        Receive CPE Credit! 22 seminars to choose from No Travel
        CostFit into a busy schedule
        Do at your own pace 
        Download Information
        See Interactive Video View and Print Power Points Flexibility! 
        Great Value!  Instant results
 
Visit http://www.irstaxforum.com for information on the upcoming 2011 IRS Nationwide Tax Forum
 
We also encourage you to attend the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums for the complete forum experience. You can earn CPE credits, network with tax professionals and IRS staff, get a case resolved in the Case Resolution Room, and get hands-on help in the IRS Preparer Services Room.
 
City Dates
Atlanta, GA
Tuesday, June 28 - Thursday, June 30, 2011
Orlando, FL
Tuesday, July 12 - Thursday, July 14, 2011
Dallas, TX
Tuesday, July 26 - Thursday, July 28, 2011
San Jose, CA
Tuesday, August 9 - Thursday, August 11, 2011
Las Vegas, NV
Tuesday, August 16 - Thursday, August 18, 2011
National Harbor, MD
(Washington DC Area) 
Tuesday, August 30 - Thursday, September 1, 2011   
 
James R. Kinsey
 
Sr Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
Communication, Liaison & Disclosure
SB/SE Division
Work 408-817-6842
Fax 408-817-4601

Friday, January 7, 2011

IRS News Events from Stakeholder Liaison - 7 January 2011

Practitioner email Group:
 

Good morning, please share with your members and colleagues.  Select the blue links to see the full article.

 

Happy New Year!


 

Newsroom                                                                             January 7, 2011

 

National Taxpayer Advocate Delivers Annual Report to Congress; Focuses on Tax Reform, Collection Issues, and Implementation of Health Care Reform
IR-2011-2, Jan. 5, 2011 — National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson released her annual report to Congress.

IRS Kicks Off 2011 Tax Season with Deadline Extended to April 18; Taxpayers Impacted by Recent Tax Breaks Can File Starting in Mid- to Late February
IR-2011-1, Jan. 4, 2011 — The IRS opened the 2011 tax filing season by announcing that taxpayers have until April 18 to file their returns and reminded taxpayers to e-file as the best way to ensure accurate tax returns and get faster refunds.

IRS Offers New Guidance on FSA and HRA Debit Cards
IR-2010-128, Dec. 23, 2010 — FSA and HRA participants can continue using debit cards to buy prescribed over-the-counter medicines, if requirements are met.


 

IRS Technical Guidance

 

Notice 2011-06 provides guidance regarding the implementation of new Treasury regulations governing tax return preparers regarding the requirement to obtain a preparer tax identification number (PTIN), identifies the forms that qualify as tax returns or claims for refund for purposes of those regulations, and provides interim rules applicable to certain PTIN holders during the implementation phase of the new regulations governing tax return preparers.

 

Revenue Procedure 2011-13 updates Rev. Proc. 2010-15 and identifies circumstances under which the disclosure on a taxpayer's income tax return with respect to an item or a position is adequate for the purpose of reducing the understatement of income tax under section 6662(d) of the Internal Revenue Code and for the purpose of avoiding the tax return preparer penalty under section 6694(a) with respect to income tax returns.

 

Notice 2011-5 provides guidance on use of health FSA and HRA debit cards to purchase over-the-counter medicines or drugs that are prescribed. This document modifies Notice 2010-59, 2010-39 IRB 396 which did not allow the use of health FSA and HRA debit cards to purchase over-the-counter medicines or drugs after December 31, 2010. The current notice would allow the use of debit cards to purchase prescribed over the counter drugs when certain requirements are met. This notice will be in IRB 2011-3, dated Jan. 18, 2011.

 

Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 Tax Provisions

The SBJA contains some tax provisions that take effect this year. Other tax provisions will be implemented during the next several years.  Several of the provisions are designed to encourage investment and provide access to capital for businesses.


 

Events

 

National/Local Phone Forums and Webinars for Practitioners

(http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=158856,00.html)

 

IRS Live

(http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=223591,00.html)

 

 


 

I hope you find this information useful.  If you would like additional information, you can subscribe to an IRS e-Subscription by going to the Subscription page on IRS.gov.

 

If you would like to discontinue receiving my local Stakeholder Liaison e-mails, please e-mail me at  James.R.Kinsey@irs.gov  and request removal of your name.

 

 

 

 James R. Kinsey

 
Sr Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
Communication, Liaison & Disclosure
SB/SE Division
Work 408-817-6842
Fax 408-817-4601