Tuesday, July 26, 2016

FYI: 2016 CSEA Federal Representation Workshops in Sacramento (July 27th)

Hello Everyone,

 

The California Society of Enrolled Agents is holding its annual Federal Representation workshops in Sacramento on July 27th, which include 8 hours of Continuing Education credit.  

 

New for this year is a webcast of the 8-hour workshop on July 27th where tax professionals can attend the workshop from the convenience of their home or office AND still earn the CE credit.  IRS employees from the Examination, Collection and Appeals divisions will discuss the processes and procedures of their functions relevant to taxpayer representation, and a CSEA representative will bring it all together from the tax professional’s point-of-view. 

 

 

Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #1000247447

Stakeholder Liaison Specialist

Communications Stakeholder Outreach

Work cell phone:  510-926-0175

Jennifer.Henrie-Brown@irs.gov

IRS Video Portal
Follow us on Twitter, YouTube

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, July 25, 2016

FYI: IRS Stakeholder Liaison Western Area IMRS Monthly Call - Thursday, July 28th

Hello Everyone,

 

Hope all is well with you!

 

Friendly reminder that Keith Kershner, IMRS Working Group Member, will be hosting this Thursday’s  (7/28 IMRS Monthly call).

 

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IRS Stakeholder Liaison is having a brief Issue Management Resolution System (IMRS) Conference Call on Thursday, July 28, 2016 from 8:30 am – 9:00 am (Pacific Time)

 

Purpose:  Share “hot issues” to help resolve systemic issues having to do with federal tax policies, practices and/or procedures.

Our goal is to reduce taxpayer burden and in turn hopefully increase voluntary compliance. Please join us to learn about the latest “hot issues” and discuss any new issues you may have. We look forward to hearing from you. See the attached flyer for additional information.  You can also contact Keith Kershner, IRS Stakeholder Liaison, for additional information: Keith.D.Kershner@irs.gov  (559) 513-5298. 

 

We hope you can join us for this brief and informative session!

 

 

 

Issue Management Resolution System (IMRS) Conference Call

 

Got Issues?

 

IRS Stakeholder Liaisons and IMRS Program Analysts are very interested in hearing from you!

 

Are you experiencing problems with IRS’ online payment agreement, Identity Theft issues, etc.?

We want to help resolve systemic issues having to do with federal tax related policies, practices and/or procedures.

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Topic:  Hot Issues – Open Discussion

                 

Date:  Thursday, July 28, 2016

 

Time:   8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.

 

Note: If you are a 1st time participant, please join us 5 minutes early (at 8:25 a.m.) for a brief IMRS Introduction and Orientation.

 

To join the call:

 

Dial: 888-331-8226   Enter Access Code:  2838762

There will be no video for this call (audio conference call only)

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Note:  IMRS tracks and responds to significant national and local issues or concerns about IRS policies, practices and procedures.

Our goal is to reduce taxpayer burden and in turn increase voluntary compliance.

 

IMRS provides three reports to let you know of issues across the country:

·       Hot Issues contains IMRS issues and other current items of interest.

·       The IMRS Industry Issues Quarterly Report provides a quarterly summary of IMRS issues of particular interest to small businesses.

·       The IMRS Monthly Overview contains an update of issues opened and closed each month.

 

           

Please Join Us!

 

Please feel free to forward the invitation to your fellow practitioners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #1000247447

Stakeholder Liaison Specialist

Communications Stakeholder Outreach

Work cell phone:  510-926-0175

Jennifer.Henrie-Brown@irs.gov

IRS Video Portal
Follow us on Twitter, YouTube

 

 

 

 

 

          

Friday, July 22, 2016

FYI: The voluntary program for Professional Employer Organizations to become Certified is now Open.

Hello Everyone,

 

 

FYI:  The voluntary program for Professional Employer Organizations to become certified is now open.  A professional employer organization, sometimes referred to as an employee leasing company, is an organization that enters into an agreement with a client to perform some or all of the federal employment tax withholding, reporting, and payment functions related to workers performing services for the client. 

 

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 required the IRS to establish a voluntary certification program for Professional Employer Organizations. Since the law’s enactment, the IRS has worked steadily to identify and define the policy, procedural and information system changes necessary to meet the many complex requirements of the law.

 

To become and remain certified under the new program, PEOs must meet tax status, background, experience, business location, financial reporting, bonding and other requirements.

 

More information on the CPEO program is available on IRS.gov.

 

 

 

Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #1000247447

Stakeholder Liaison Specialist

Communications Stakeholder Outreach

Work cell phone:  510-926-0175

Jennifer.Henrie-Brown@irs.gov

IRS Video Portal
Follow us on Twitter, YouTube

 

 

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

FYI: IR-2016-96 & FS-2016-23: IRS, Partners Warn Tax Preparers of Data Theft Risks; Launch New Campaign to Increase Awareness

Hello Everyone,

 

I hope all is well with you!

 

Please see above attached IRS news release, “IRS, Partners warn Tax Preparers of Data Theft Risks; Launch New Campaign to Increase Awareness”, and IRS Fact Sheet, “Tax Professionals:  Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

 

Leaders from the Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and tax preparation community today warned tax preparers that they increasingly are targets of cybercriminals and should take appropriate steps to protect clients from data theft  IRS also posted new information to help tax professionals get started with safeguards to protect clients’ data. It’s the first in a series of fact sheets and tips on security, scams and identity theft prevention measures aimed at tax professionals. The, ‘Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself’ campaign will run through the start of the 2017 filing season.

 

Please share this information with your practitioner organization members and professional colleagues, etc. (and if you do share this information, please let me know how you shared it.  We are trying to determine the most preferred and effective ways of getting this important information to the people that need this information).  Thank you!

 

 

 

Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #1000247447

Stakeholder Liaison Specialist

Communications Stakeholder Outreach

Work cell phone:  510-926-0175

Jennifer.Henrie-Brown@irs.gov

IRS Video Portal
Follow us on Twitter, YouTube

 

 

 

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

FYI: IRS Presents: Affordable Care Act - Employer Shared Responsibility Provisions Webinar (on Wednesday, July 20, 2016)

Hello Everyone,

 

IRS Northwest Area Stakeholder Liaison is doing a webinar on Affordable Care Act: Employer Shared Responsibility ProvisionsJoin us to learn more about the two provisions of the Affordable Care Act that apply only to applicable large employers (ALEs): the Employer Shared Responsibility provision and the employer information reporting provision for offers of minimum essential coverage.

 

Date:  July 20, 2016

Time: (One hour webinar)

7:00 am Hawaii Time

9:00 am Alaska Time

10:00 am Pacific Time & Mountain Standard Time

11:00 am Mountain Daylight Savings Time

12:00 pm Central Time

 

This webinar will address:

·       Overview of the Employer Shared Responsibility provisions

·       Who is considered an applicable large employer (ALE)

·       Definition of full-time employee for Employer Shared Responsibility provisions

·       Introduction to the ACA information returns

·       ACA resources for Tax Professionals

 

This webinar DOES NOT qualify for CE Credit. Certificates of Attendance will not be issued.

 

To register for this event, use the following link (or the link in the attached flyer):

https://www.webcaster4.com/Webcast/Page/1147/16080

If clicking the above link does not work, please copy the entire link and paste it into your Web browser.

See the attached flyer for more details.

Please share this with your members, staff, colleagues and anyone who may benefit from this information.  Thank you!

 

Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #1000247447

Stakeholder Liaison Specialist

Communications Stakeholder Outreach

Work cell phone:  510-926-0175

Jennifer.Henrie-Brown@irs.gov

IRS Video Portal
Follow us on Twitter, YouTube

 

 

 

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

FYI: IRS News & Events from Stakeholder Liaison, & "Navigating the Post Filing Season" webinar

Hello Everyone,

 

Hope you had a fabulous 4th of July!

 

Below is the latest IRS News & Events from Stakeholder Liaison issue.  Also, Stakeholder Liaison Northwest Area is holding a, Navigating the Post Filing Season webinar on July 7th, 11:00 am (Pt).  See above attached promotional flyer for additional information about webinar.

 

IRS News & Events from Stakeholder Liaison - Please share with your members and colleagues. Select the blue links to see the full article.



What to Watch: IRS videos:

Featured video: Security Summit: Be Cautious When Using Wi-Fi

 

The IRS, states and industry are working to protect you from identity theft. Taxes. Security. Together: Protect yourself from identity theft with these simple tips. Visit the IRS identity protection page for more information.

 


General News

 

IRS Provides Guidelines on How to Claim New Wrongful-Incarceration Exclusion; Use Special Address for All Back-Year Refund Claims; Dec. 19 Deadline for Older Claims

IR-2016-88, June 16, 2016 — The Internal Revenue Service today released guidelines on how wrongfully-incarcerated taxpayers can take advantage of the new retroactive exclusion from income for any civil damages, restitution or other monetary award received in connection with their incarceration.

 

IRS Makes Electronically Filed Form 990 Data Available in New Format

IR-2016-87, June 16, 2016 —The IRS announced that the publicly available data on electronically filed Forms 990 will now be available for the first time in a machine-readable format through Amazon Web Services (AWS).

 

New IRS Special Procedure to Allow Property Owners to Request Return of Property, Funds in Specific Structuring Cases

June 16, 2016 — The IRS has established a special procedure for people whose assets were involved in structuring to request a return of their forfeited property or funds.

 

Empowerment Zone Designations Continue Through the End of 2016

IR-2016-91, June 21, 2016 — The IRS today announced that all empowerment zone designations remain in effect through the end of 2016.

 

Foreign Earned Income Exclusion

FS-2016-22, June 2016 — As a U.S. citizen or a resident alien of the United States, you are taxed on your worldwide income.

 

The Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee Issued Its 2016 Annual Report

IR-2016-92, June 22, 2016 — ETAAC held its annual public meeting today and released its annual report to Congress, which features recommendations on a wide range of electronic tax administration issues.

 

ACT presents its Report of Recommendations on June 8, 2016

 

Sign Up for IRS Summertime Tax Tips

IR-2016-95, June 30, 2016 — The IRS today encouraged taxpayers interested in receiving helpful consumer tips this summer to get a jump-start on this year’s taxes by subscribing to the IRS Tax Tips email service.

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Security

 

Security Summit Reviews 2016 Accomplishments, Announces 2017 Initiatives

IR-2016-94, June 28, 2016 — Leaders from the IRS and state tax agencies along with executives from the private-sector tax industry marked the first year of their ground-breaking Security Summit partnership to combat identity theft tax fraud by recapping 2016 accomplishments and turning toward 2017 efforts.

 

Security Summit Partners Update Identity Theft Initiatives for 2017

FS-2016-21, June 2016 — The IRS, state tax agencies and private-sector industry continued their unprecedented Security Summit partnership by identifying and implementing additional taxpayer safeguards for the upcoming 2017 filing season.

 

IRS Warns Consumers of Possible Scams Relating to Orlando Mass Shooting

IR-2016-89, June 17, 2016 ― The IRS today issued a consumer alert about possible fake charity scams emerging due to the recent mass shooting in Orlando, Fla., and encouraged taxpayers to seek out recognized charitable groups.

 

IRS Statement on Electronic Filing PIN

As a precautionary step to protect taxpayers, the IRS announced that the electronic filing PIN tool is no longer available on IRS.gov or by toll-free phone following additional questionable activity.

 

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Affordable Care Act

ACA Information Center for Tax Professionals

 

What's Trending

ACA Information Returns May Continue To Be Filed After June 30, 2016

If you are an applicable large employer, self-insured employer or health coverage provider, the deadline to electronically file information returns with the IRS is June 30, 2016. The ACA Information Returns (AIR) system will remain up and running after the deadline.

 

Health Care Tax Tips

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Technical Guidance

Notice 2016-42 sets out a proposed Qualified Intermediary (“QI”) agreement revising and updating the current agreement, Rev. Proc. 2014-39, published in July 2014.    The revised QI agreement updates the current agreement by providing more detailed procedures regarding how qualified intermediaries satisfy their compliance review obligations and sets out terms and requirements for qualified intermediaries that want to act as qualified derivatives dealers with respect to transactions subject to section 871(m).  The proposed QI agreement, when finalized, would be effective beginning January 1, 2017.

 

Notice 2016-40 provides additional transition relief for employers claiming the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) under §§ 51 and 3111(e) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code), as extended and amended by the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, Pub. L. No. 114-113, div. Q (the PATH Act).  Specifically, this notice expands and extends by three months the transition relief provided in Notice 2016-22 (2016-13 IRB 488) for meeting the 28-day deadline in § 51(d)(13)(A)(ii) of the Code.  This notice applies to employers that (1) hire members of targeted groups (other than qualified long-term unemployment recipients) on or after January 1, 2015, and on or before August 31, 2016, or (2) hire members of the new targeted group of qualified long-term unemployment recipients on or after January 1, 2016, and on or before August 31, 2016.  This notice does not otherwise modify or add to the guidance provided under Notice 2016-22. 

 

Revenue Procedure 2016-37 sets forth the procedures for the determination letter program for individually designed plans and the six-year remedial amendment cycle system for pre-approved plans.

 

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Events

The 2016 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums - Begin July 12!

 

Webinars for Tax Practitioners

 

Retirement Plans

 

Fed State & Local Governments

 

Webinars for Businesses

 

California Workshops for Small Business Owners

Please share these links with your small business clients. The workshops provide detailed instructional lessons that cover their tax filing, paying and operating requirements and responsibilities

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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 and request removal of your name.

 

Follow us on Twitter, YouTube, IRS_Videos and Facebook - IRS_Return_Preparer_Office

 

 

Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #1000247447

Stakeholder Liaison Specialist

Communications Stakeholder Outreach

Work cell phone:  510-926-0175

Jennifer.Henrie-Brown@irs.gov

IRS Video Portal
Follow us on Twitter, YouTube