Tax Section news and member FAQ

• IRS issues Whistleblower Alert, expands efforts to uncover fraud
  The IRS issued a Whistleblower Alert warning of potential misuse, diversion, or fraudulent use of federal funds by tax‑exempt organizations, individuals, and businesses, and is encouraging the public to report credible information. The alert highlights this as a high‑risk compliance area and aims to help the IRS identify and address possible fraud involving federal funds and grants.
  
  

• Latest disaster tax relief guidance for Hawaii, Mississippi and Tennessee
  Stay current on disaster‑related tax relief with our updated Disaster Tax Relief FAQs and Latest Developments page, now featuring new IRS alerts for Hawaii, Mississippi and Tennessee. Tax Section members can use this page to quickly track filing extensions, penalty relief and other time‑sensitive guidance for affected and non‑affected taxpayers.
  
  

• State tax update: Maryland decoupling and West Virginia rate update
  Maryland has enacted key depreciation changes starting after Dec. 31, 2025, including decoupling from Sec. 168(n) qualified production property depreciation and limiting Sec. 168(k) bonus depreciation for certain manufacturers. Meanwhile, West Virginia’s individual income tax rates for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026, now range from 2.11% to 4.58%.

• Final Treasury/IRS regulations address tip income
  The IRS has released final regulations implementing H.R. 1 “no tax on tips,” defining eligible occupations and clarifying what qualifies as deductible tips. The final rules expand and refine the list of tipped occupations and provide more detail on tip treatment and reporting, following extensive public comment. Access in‑depth insights with answers to common questions and side‑by‑side comparisons of the final and proposed regulations.
  
  

• New IRS guidance sets path for 2027 Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZs)
  On April 7, 2026, the IRS issued Rev. Proc. 2026-12, which outlines the process for nominating new QOZs for the next designation cycle. It identifies eligible population census tracts, including those that are entirely rural, that may be nominated by the chief executive officers of each state, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. Census tracts nominated under this process, once approved, will be designated as QOZs beginning in 2027. Explore key insights.
  
  

• IRS Business Tax Account update
  On April 6, 2026, the IRS expanded its Business Tax Account (BTA) to include partnerships, government entities and tax-exempt organizations, broadening secure, self-service digital access beyond sole proprietors and corporations. Check out related guidance and quick links to additional IRS online tools resources for more information and practice insights.
  
  

• State tax update: IRC conformity developments in Georgia and New Mexico Georgia's H.B. 1199, enacted March 20, 2026, updates Internal Revenue code (IRC) conformity through Jan. 1, 2026, while continuing to decouple from bonus depreciation, select Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions and parts of H.R. 1. By contrast, New Mexico’s rolling conformity will adopt key H.R. 1 provisions, though S.B. 151 decouples certain federal rules and requires full Net Controlled Foreign Corporation Tested Income (NCTI) inclusion beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
  
  

• IRS announces tax filing extension for DHS employees
  Treasury and the IRS announced tax filing relief for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel affected by the ongoing shutdown, citing the financial and administrative burdens placed on employees who continue to work without pay. Impacted DHS personnel will receive an automatic 30‑day filing extension — moving the deadline to May 15, 2026 — with penalty and interest relief included.

• State‑triggered federal tax disaster relief: Flyer & governor letter template
  Enacted July 24, 2025, the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act allows governors to request discretionary federal tax filing and payment relief for state‑declared disasters, separate from automatic presidential relief. Download a flyer for an overview of the two‑step state‑trigger process and access a governor letter template to request federal tax filing and payment relief under Sec. 7508A(c).
  
  

• 4 million children have been signed up for Trump Accounts with 1 million claiming the $1,000 pilot program contribution
  On March 31, 2026, the IRS announced that more than 4 million children have been enrolled in tax‑favored Trump Accounts, including over 1 million covered by elections for the $1,000 pilot program contribution. Eligibility for the $1,000 contribution is based on the child’s date of birth.
  
  

• State tax update: Utah rate reduction and permanent PTET election
  S.B. 60, signed March 23, 2026, retroactively lowers Utah’s corporate and individual income tax rates from 4.50% to 4.45% for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2026. H.B. 77, also signed March 23, 2026, permanently extends Utah’s passthrough entity tax (PTET) election for tax years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2022. Explore all state pages in the State and local tax (SALT) Roadmap.

• State tax update: Indiana and H.R. 1 conformity
  Indiana generally follows static conformity to the IRC as of Jan. 1, 2023, but has selectively conformed to three H.R. 1 provisions — the adoption tax credit, certain energy property recovery periods and the telehealth safe harbor — through July 4, 2025. The state does not conform to the remaining H.R. 1 provisions for 2026, requiring return adjustments. Explore all state pages in the SALT Roadmap.
  
  

• IRS watchdog cites resource limits, duplication in partnership audits
  Limited resources and a duplicative review process contributed to IRS problems with auditing large partnerships, a government watchdog said in a review issued earlier this month. Read more.

• State tax update: Ohio updates IRC conformity date
  Ohio updated its IRC conformity date to March 5, 2026, incorporating federal tax law changes enacted through that date, including H.R. 1. For tax years ending between March 7, 2025, and March 5, 2026, taxpayers may irrevocably choose which federal provisions apply, though some Ohio-specific adjustments may be required. Explore all state pages in the SALT Roadmap.
  
  

• Before mailing — New USPS postmark changes: FAQs + client alert
  Effective Dec. 24, 2025, the USPS clarified that a postmark generally reflects when mail is first processed — not when it’s dropped off or accepted — creating potential risks for time‑sensitive tax filings. Access new FAQs explaining what changed, why it matters and steps to help reduce late‑filing risk. A downloadable client alert is also available to share with clients.
  
  

• No bank account on file? IRS Notice CP53E
  Following a March 25, 2025, executive order to phase out paper checks by Sept. 30, 2025, the IRS announced the end of paper refund checks beginning that date and later issued FAQs in January 2026 to explain the transition to electronic payments. Now’s the time to flag for clients that the IRS will issue Notice CP53E to taxpayers who do not have a bank account on file, outlining next steps for receiving funds.
  
  Check out our FAQs for more information.
  
  

• Tax extension client communications
  During the height of busy season, now’s the time to think strategically about which clients may be good candidates for an extension. Sending an extension reminder letter can help start that conversation early and keep expectations clear. You can also share the Tax Extension FAQ for Clients to support those discussions and address common questions and misconceptions up front.
  
  

• The electronic payments toolkit: Help clients transition smoothly
  The IRS has released Fact Sheet 2026‑02 outlining the shift to electronic payments under the March 2025 Executive Order (EO), which ends most paper checks — including tax refunds — by Sept. 30, 2025, and encourages electronic payments whenever practical. To help practitioners guide clients through this transition, we’ve assembled client‑ready resources including a Direct Pay visual step‑through, a downloadable electronic‑payment guide, a client alert and FAQs.
  
  Access the AICPA’s IRS Practice & Procedures library for more guidance, tools and timely updates to support your practice and your clients.

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