IRS Upcoming Events
Here is the latest information on CAF Unit Addresses, Fax Numbers, and State Mapping. Note the new fax numbers and when the old fax numbers will no longer be operational. The best time to fax is late in the Alaska business day when traffic in Ogden is low. And, if the Ogden fax service isn't working, you may fax to Memphis.
Mike Cvitkovic
Stakeholder Liaison, SB/SE
915 2nd Ave, MS601
Seattle WA 98174
206-220-4385 phone
206-220-4391 fax
Upcoming Events
Churches and Religious Organizations webinar planned July 25
If you're associated with a church or religious organization, you should consider registering for this webinar, which will be presented July 25 at 2 p.m. Eastern Time. It will cover many topics, including:
- How to apply for tax-exempt status
- The do’s and don’t of maintaining your tax-exempt status
- Special rules for compensation of ministers
- Recordkeeping and filing
- Rules limiting an IRS church audit
July 18 Phone Forum: Exempt Organizations and Gaming
IRS Exempt Organizations specialists lead a discussion on six topics of importance to exempt organizations that conduct gaming. Topics include the impact of gaming on tax-exempt status, internal controls and recordkeeping, Form 990 filing requirements, unrelated business income tax, filing requirements for payments made to individuals and wagering/excise taxes.
Real property webinar is available
The recent Cancellation of Debt and Foreclosure webinar is now in the IRS video portal archive.
IRS Updates and News Releases
Registered Tax Return Preparer test and Special Enrollment Exam
The RTRP test and the SEE exam are being offered within 20 miles of all six IRS Nationwide Tax Forum locations this summer. The tests will also be available on-site during theLas Vegas forum.
New FATCA Newsletter
Subscribe to the FATCA News and Information List for the latest IRS news, guidance and regulations related to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act.
IRS Strengthens ITIN Application Requirements; Interim Changes Will Protect the Integrity of the ITIN Process
The Internal Revenue Service today announced important interim changes to strengthen its procedures for issuing Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs) from now through the end of the year. Designed specifically for tax-administration purposes, ITINs are only issued to people who are not eligible to obtain a Social Security Number.
IRS expands access to Streamlined Installment Agreements
The recent expansion of the IRS Fresh Start program to help struggling taxpayers includes making Installment Agreements available to more people. Full story
June IMRS Hot Issues Report
The June Hot Issues report from the Issue Management Resolution System solicits your Taxpayer Burden Reduction ideas and encourages you to take the Registered Tax Return Preparer competency test.
Employee Plans News
To read the June 8, 2012 Edition, please visit the Employee Plans News page in the Retirement Plans Community section of the IRS.gov Web site.
The IRS Return Preparer Office is now on LinkedIn
The IRS Return Preparer Office is expanding its social media presence in an effort to better communicate with and support the tax professional community. RPO is now on LinkedIn. Follow us to keep up-to-date on the latest changes in your profession. You will find the latest info on PTIN renewals, the Registered Tax Return Preparer Competency Test, the Special Enrollment Exam and continuing education requirements. And, don't forget the IRS also on Facebook and Twitter.
Retirement News for Employers
To read the Spring edition, please visit the Retirement News for Employers page in the Retirement Plans Community section of the IRS.gov Web site.
Spring 2012 Statistics of Income Bulletin Now Available
The spring 2012 issue of the Statistics of Income Bulletin is now available. This issue features information on high-income individual income tax returns filed for tax year 2009.
Reminder: Hire a veteran in 2012 and receive significant tax benefits
A law change enacted late last year now provides an expanded Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to employers that hire eligible unemployed veterans. The credit can be as high as $9,600 per veteran for for-profit employers or up to $6,240 for tax-exempt organizations. The amount of the credit depends on a number of factors, including the length of the veteran’s unemployment before hire, hours a veteran works and the amount of first-year wages paid. Employers who hire veterans with service-related disabilities may be eligible for the maximum credit.
Technical Guidance
Notice 2012-40 provides guidance on the effective date of the $2,500 limit (as indexed for inflation) on salary reduction contributions to health flexible spending arrangements (health FSAs) under § 125(i) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) (the $2,500 limit) and on the deadline for amending plans to comply with that limit. This notice also provides relief for certain contributions that mistakenly exceed the $2,500 limit and that are corrected in a timely manner. Finally, the notice requests comments on whether to modify the use-or-lose rule that is currently set forth in the proposed regulations with respect to health FSAs.
Revenue Ruling 2012-14 amplifies Revenue Ruling 92-53, 1992-2 C.B. 48, by describing how discharged partnership excess nonrecourse debt is taken into account in measuring the insolvency of the partners under section 108(d)(3). The revenue ruling provides that to the extent discharged excess nonrecourse debt generates cancellation of indebtedness (COD) income that is allocated under section 704(b) (and the regulations thereunder), each partner treats its portion of the discharged excess nonrecourse debt related to such COD income as a liability in measuring insolvency under section 108(d)(3).
Notice 2012-38 solicits public comments on what additional guidance may be needed after Rev. Rul. 2006-57, which provides guidance on the use of smartcards, debit or credit cards, or other electronic media to provide qualified transportation fringes under sections 132(a)(5) and (f) of the Internal Revenue Code, became effective on Jan. 1, 2012. In particular, the notice requests public comments on a number of issues surrounding an employer's provision of transit benefits in light of changes in technology in transit benefit administration.
