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What HR Professionals Need to Know to Avoid Big ACA Reporting Penalties

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is still the law of the land, having survived attempts to both repeal and replace the legislation. It now has real teeth, with the dollar amounts of financial penalties having doubled in recent years. Here is what HR professionals need to know to prepare for the upcoming filing season and […]

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What Tax Professionals Need to Know about the Dark Web

If you don’t know much about the dark web, you’re not alone. Maybe 5 percent of internet users are on it (at a stretch), but it’s anywhere from 6 to 500 times larger than the consumer web. And it can definitely affect your job as a tax professional. Anything and everything is for sale on […]

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PATH Act Deadlines Create Problems for Financial Institutions

Financial institutions are having to deal with a new set of challenges in tax information reporting. Cheryl Riedlinger, noted tax attorney and head of the Tax Reporting Group, recently identified three new headaches for tax professionals: Changes to IRS policy regarding W-8 forms, which are causing FIs to repaper their client bases New developments in […]

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How Tax Leaders Can Propel Client Service and Optimize 1099 Reporting

Financial services companies are now forced to tackle a new breed of 1099 reporting requirements for corporate clients. Federal and state governments are increasing audit frequency and requiring more detailed data, and new rules are putting companies’ reputations on the line. Tax leaders at financial services companies have bigger burdens on their shoulders these days, […]

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Senate “Skinny Repeal” Fails: Mixed Messaging Lingers for Next Steps

Amidst questions coming out of last week’s Senate vote-a-rama, one thing is clear: Information reporting obligations for Applicable Large Employers and providers of health insurance coverage will remain in place for the foreseeable future. Congress and the Administration are divided on how to proceed after multiple health care bills failed last week in the Senate. […]

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Filers Struggle to Meet New PATH Act Reporting Deadlines

New numbers suggest the PATH Act deadline for filing W-2 and 1099-MISC forms is continuing to cause havoc for employers. The PATH Act, enacted in late 2015, moved the filing deadline from March 31 to Jan. 31. Filers are struggling to meet the new deadline and avoid financial penalties, which are attached to both late […]

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Better Care Reconciliation Act Fails – Four Senators Now Oppose Procedural Motion

With Senators Rand Paul and Susan Collins stating their opposition to the revised Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA) last week, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell could not afford to lose any more votes on the procedural vote to bring the bill to the Senate floor. Last night, Senators Mike Lee and Jerry Moran both announced that […]

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IRS Updates Instructions for Form W-8BEN to Conform with New Regulations

The IRS has updated the instructions for Form W-8BEN, Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding and Reporting (Individuals). There are a number of changes from the previous revision: Some minor updates made to Form W-8BEN to conform with Form W-8BEN-E. Instructions have been updated to reflect temporary and final […]

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Senate Passes Motion to Proceed on Health Care

On Tuesday, the Senate passed a motion to proceed on health care by a vote of 51-50 with Vice President Pence casting the tying vote. This was only a procedural vote and not any sort of repeal or replace vote. As a result of this motion passing, the Senate can begin to debate on the […]

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Sovos Wins Product of the Year Awards at The American Business Awards

Global tax compliance and reporting software leader recognized with two Stevie Awards in Global Risk & Compliance and FinTech Categories    Wilmington, Mass. – July 26, 2017 – Global tax compliance and reporting software leader Sovos announced today it has been honored with two Product of the Year awards at the The 15th Annual American Business Awards, a […]

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House Appropriations Subcommittee Introduces Bill with Potential to Affect ACA Reporting

A House Appropriations subcommittee has introduced H.R. 3280 – a draft of which was released during the July 4th Recess. This appropriations bill provides funding for government and financial services – including the IRS – for the upcoming fiscal year. As part of the IRS funding, it includes a provision that could impact the reporting […]

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Senate Republicans Maintain Employer Reporting Provisions in BCRA v2.0

July 17, 2017 — Employer information reporting remains intact under both Senate ACA replacement bills currently in play: Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has released the Senate’s second iteration of the Better Care Reconciliation Act which, as written, would maintain employer information reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code §§ 6055 and 6056. Changes to minimum essential […]

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Revised BCRA Maintains Employer Reporting Provisions

As written, revised Better Care Reconciliation Act will not operate to eliminate either of the reporting requirements on 1094/1095 series forms. The Senate’s second draft of the Better Care Reconciliation Act would maintain employer information reporting obligations under Internal Revenue Code §§ 6055 and 6056. Changes to minimum essential coverage provisions may give rise to a potential modification of […]

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In-House Compliance Can’t Keep Up with the PATH Act

The IRS is stepping up reporting scrutiny, specifically focusing on tax credits. There’s no more relevant example than the 1099 reporting changes that heightened error exposure for reporting organizations during the 2016 tax season. Tax information reporting requirements are becoming more complex, with changing deadlines, enhanced tracking and stiffer penalties for non-compliance. This leaves financial […]

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The New Strategic Role of Indirect Tax Professionals to Master Compliance

Tax compliance has evolved at a rapid pace in recent years. As governments go digital, loopholes are closing and reporting timelines are shrinking from weeks to milliseconds. The old way of doing things isn’t enough for the new world of rapid-response compliance. But these new challenges can also foster new opportunities. Businesses are taking a […]

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Illinois Releases New Tax Tables and Withholding Allowance Certificate

Illinois’s Department of Revenue has lately released new tax tables and a new withholding allowance certificate in conjunction with it an increase in the state’s tax rate.  Effective July 1, 2017, the income tax rate in Illinois is 4.95%, increased from 3.75%. Booklet IL-700-T, “Illinois Withholding Tax Tables,” has been updated effective July 1, 2017.  […]

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OECD Secretary General Issues Report on CRS for G20 Leaders

At last week’s G20 summit, OECD Secretary General Angel Gurría reported to world leaders that the past year has seen progress on multiple fronts in the fight against tax avoidance and evasion – thanks in large part to the Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters. The official report explores the key areas of progress, including the movement […]

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Idaho Publishes Revised Guide to Income Tax Withholding

The Idaho State Tax Commission has issued a revised Guide to Income Tax Withholding. The revision is a routine update of the tables for withholding computation methods for 2017. These tables are periodically adjusted for inflation. Although these figures are effective for 2017, withholding agents are not required to adjust the withholding amounts for the months of January […]

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