Danny Werfel, who had two years remaining on his term, said he made the decision after “significant introspection and consultation.” An AICPA statement praised Werfel for “moving the IRS in the right direction to improve taxpayer services and start instituting modern technologies.”

The final regulations implement Sec. 2801, added to the Code in 2008, and follow up on proposed regulations issued 10 years ago.

The final regulations, which include 24 exceptions to consideration of federal tax controversies by the Independent Office of Appeals, generally follow the proposed regulations issued in October 2022.

New pilot programs involve fast-track settlements and post-appeals mediation.

The regulations provide guidance on determining who is one of the “five highest compensated employees” under Sec. 162(m)(3)(C).

The IRS said it used feedback from tax advisers to write the proposed regulations, which include new multiyear tax reporting requirements.

The final regulations, posted by the IRS on Tuesday in the Federal Register, identify certain microcaptive transactions as reportable listed transactions or transactions of interest.

The proposed regulations provide guidance to plan administrators on implementing the automatic enrollment requirement established by the Secure 2.0 Act.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said he expects the 2025 filing season to build on the success of the two previous seasons if Congress maintains funding.

The proposed regulations apply to catch-up contributions under a 401(k) or similar workplace retirement plan that generally are allowed for workers who have attained age 50.

The final regulations, which the IRS issued Friday, make several changes to the proposed regulations, including a higher dollar threshold for a basis increase in transactions of interest.

It’s worth pausing to reflect on the AICPA’s successes in advocating for the profession with Congress and the IRS during 2024.

The national taxpayer advocate’s first report to the new Congress highlighted the need for money devoted to taxpayer services and technology.

In the emergency application filed Tuesday, the Justice Department said beneficial ownership reporting is important in the government’s fight against crimes such as the financing of terrorism.

The IRS provided temporary relief that permits eligible taxpayers to use alternative methods to make adequate identification of digital asset units sold, disposed of, or transferred in 2025.

Three days after a panel of judges granted a government motion to lift the injunction, another panel said it was reinstating a lower court’s ruling. An AICPA statement urged CPAs to be prepared to file BOI reports. A statement by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network said that, in light of the court ruling, companies could continue to file BOI reports voluntarily and that they are "not subject to liability if they fail to do so while the order remains in force."

The proposed regulations would update the Circular 230 rules governing practice before the IRS.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday granted a Justice Department motion to lift an injunction imposed by a district court ruling. Hours later, FinCEN announced, in light of the court decision, that the Jan. 1, 2025, reporting deadline was extended to Jan. 13 for most reporting companies.

The IRS increased the optional standard mileage rate used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a vehicle for business to 70 cents per mile driven, up 3 cents from 2024.

Treasury and the IRS announced that certain portions of future regulations finalizing the proposed regulations for required minimum distributions will apply beginning in the 2026 distribution calendar year.