Tax practice

President Obama encouraged Congress to act on a package of legislative proposals to expand tax breaks and financing for startups and small businesses.

Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif., the ranking Democratic member of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee, has introduced a new bill aimed at closing what he considers a “tax loophole” exploited by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

The Internal Revenue Service has approved the National Society of Accountants as a continuing education provider for tax professionals, as part of its efforts to regulate the tax preparation profession.

The Internal Revenue Service has increased its forecasts for the number of information-reporting forms it expects to receive this year and in subsequent years as a result of increased reporting requirements.

The break-up of Switzerland's oldest bank Wegelin on Friday shows the need to settle a dispute with U.S. authorities over tax cheats hiding cash in secret Swiss accounts, the finance minister said on Saturday.

The Senate Finance Committee plans to hold a hearing Tuesday to discuss finding a long-term way to handle “tax extenders”—tax provisions that frequently require annual or biannual renewals—to provide more certainty for taxpayers, not to mention tax preparers.

The National Consumer Law Center and the Consumer Federation of America are predicting that this year’s tax season will be the final one that refund anticipation loans will be available on a large-scale, nationwide basis.

Retail giant Sears is partnering with H&R Block this tax season, offering free federal 1040EZ tax filing online and in stores through Feb. 29.

More than 279,000 federal employees, including members of the military, collectively owed approximately $3.42 billion in unpaid taxes as of Sept. 30, 2010, up more than 3 percent from the prior year, according to a recently released report from the Internal Revenue Service.

H&R Block launched an app for iPhone and Android smartphones Friday with an offer for free federal 1040EZ and state tax preparation and electronic filing through February 29.

The Internal Revenue Service re-launched its annual outreach campaign Friday to promote Earned Income Tax Credit Day.

The President’s annual State of the Union speech is traditionally more than just a memo of the past or a blueprint for the future.

The Internal Revenue Service warned Thursday that tax refunds could be delayed a week this tax season because of new identity theft safeguards.

The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations held a hearing Thursday to explore decisions by the Internal Revenue Service that have increased commodity speculation by allowing some mutual funds to use offshore shell corporations and complex financial instruments to circumvent longstanding Tax Code limits on mutual fund trading in commodities.

The Walmart Foundation has teamed up with the United Way and other nonprofits to offer free tax filing services, along with education on eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit and government nutritional assistance programs.

Tax executives are uncertain about the potential impact on their businesses of the “repair regulations” recently issued by the Internal Revenue Service, according to a new survey by KPMG.

Tax software developer Greatland Corporation is offering some tips to businesses to help them manage W-2 and 1099 reporting.

IMGCAP(1)]The impact of the financial crisis and resultant recession, even if now officially ended, continues to be felt.

President Obama’s State of the Union address gave a preview of several of the administration’s tax policies over the coming year, including tax incentives to encourage more U.S.-based multinational corporations to bring jobs back home.

President Barack Obama called for millionaires to shoulder a greater share of taxes, but also agreed to lower corporate taxes fpr companies that hire in the U.S., during his State of the Union address on Tuesday night.