In the blogs: Now hit ‘Enter’

Math error not in your favor; TIN matching; worst-written notices; and other highlights from our favorite tax bloggers.

A wide reach

• Taxing Subjects (https://www.drakesoftware.com/blog): The IRS is tapping some filers on the shoulder, letting them know that some forms they filed don’t match up with the agency’s records. Whaddya worried about…? 
• TaxProf Blog (http://taxprof.typepad.com/taxprof_blog/): Who says government doesn’t work anymore? Congressional Democrats and Republicans don’t typically agree on the color of an orange, let alone on tax policy. But late last month, they cluster-hugged to pass legislation ensuring that high-income individuals can stuff even more money into tax-advantaged retirement accounts. 
• Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (https://itep.org/category/blog/): Billionaires can afford to pay a larger share of their income in taxes than teachers, nurses and firefighters. But our Tax Code often allows them to pay less. Is there an imminent fix?
• National Taxpayer Advocate (https://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/taxnews-information/blogs-nta/): As of April 7, the IRS had issued 9.4 million math error notices, 8.3 million related to the Recovery Rebate Credit and the Child Tax Credit. What to remind clients about the difference between when the IRS makes adjustments using math error authority versus deficiency procedures, and what taxpayers need to do when they receive a math error notice (don’t sit on it, for one).
• Federal Tax Crimes (http://federaltaxcrimes.blogspot.com/): Credit Suisse takes another rap on the knuckles — and maybe, finally, more than that.
• The Tax Times (https://www.thetaxtimes.com): Yet another innocent spouse is found to be not so innocent, at least where taxes are concerned.
• HBK (https://hbkcpa.com/insights/): Into the Wound Dept.: A look at the Supreme Court’s recent decision to not hear arguments on SALT cap deductions. 
• Bloomberg Tax and Accounting (https://pro.bloombergtax.com/news-insights/): Former IRS Commissioner Charles Rossotti discusses how the service is the only organization that deals directly with almost every family and business in America, a “wide reach” that translates into public perception of the IRS greatly influencing how the agency does its job. How persistent funding shortfalls haven’t helped public perception.

Now hit ‘Enter’

• Sovos (https://sovos.com/blog/?region=united-states): Growing organizations can see an exciting influx of new contractors, distributors and service providers — and an equally adrenal influx of tax risk. Every 1099 transmitted to the IRS has the potential to become a costly penalty. Enter proactive TIN matching. 
• Sikich (https://www.sikich.com/insights/): Checking all the fields, dusting off the spreadsheet and buttering up the master: How spring cleaning can mean a fresh start too for business processes and old data.
• Tax Pro Center (https://proconnect.intuit.com/taxprocenter/): CPAs and accountants have become incredibly frustrated at the heavy push back on their fees — even as they want to find out how to charge for advisory services. Enter the word “concierge.”
• Canopy (https://www.getcanopy.com/blog): Yes, advisory services can be a tricky offering for accountants. Here are three needed skills.

Stated clearly

• Surgent Income Tax School (http://www.theincometaxschool.com/blog/): Why — and, much more important, how — to build your own pipeline of skilled preparers.
• Don’t Mess with Taxes (http://dontmesswithtaxes.typepad.com/): A look at Biden and Harris and the reanimated practice of national leaders releasing tax returns.
• TaxConnex (https://www.taxconnex.com/blog-): Crypto, NFTs and sales tax: at least a little of what we know so far.
• Taxable Talk (http://www.taxabletalk.com/): We have an early leader in this year’s Worst-Written IRS Notice competition, which plays pretty free with refunds, penalties and declared disasters. 
• Henry+Horne (https://www.hhcpa.com/blogs/): What to remind them about the pros and cons of HSAs — sometimes we don’t hear about the latter.
• Procedurally Taxing (https://procedurallytaxing.com): In Boechler v. Commissioner, the Supreme Court parsed the language of IRC 6330 looking for a clear statement from Congress regarding a 30-day deadline to file a Tax Court petition after a CDP notice of determination. It did not find that clear statement. The next fight: interpreting IRC 6213 to determine if Congress made a clear statement in that provision.
• Current Federal Tax Developments (https://www.currentfederaltaxdevelopments.com/): There can be a long, long gap indeed when it comes to taxpayers qualifying as real estate professionals. Witness Sezonov v. Commissioner.

New to us

• Rosenberg Associates (https://rosenbergassoc.com/blog/): The first name (and often the last word) in many aspects of consulting to the industry has a terrific blog. Latest topics include hands-off firm leadership and demystifying the average annual value method of calculating partners’ goodwill for retirement purposes. Welcome!