Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) and Challenges

  • TAS Response to TIGTA Audit: National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins acknowledged concerns raised by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) regarding the speed of service by the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS).
    • Core Challenges: The key issues are the rising number of cases, the need for training new hires, and outdated case management systems.
    • Impact: As of FY 2024, case receipts have increased by 18%, with TAS on track to handle nearly 260,000 cases. This has led to delays in returning calls, working cases, and resolving taxpayer issues.

Recent Tax Regulations & Updates

  1. Consistent Basis Reporting Final Regulations (T.D. 9991)
    • These regulations relate to the consistent basis requirement for property acquired from a decedent, ensuring the initial basis does not exceed the property’s final estate tax value.
    • Executors must comply with new reporting requirements for estate tax returns filed after September 17, 2024.
  2. Premium Tax Credit (PTC) FAQs Updated
    • The IRS updated FAQs to clarify the required contribution percentage for determining whether employer coverage is affordable for plan years starting in 2025.
  3. Final Rules on Mental Health Parity and Nonquantitative Treatment Limitations (NQTLs)
    • New rules, effective January 1, 2025, require group health plans and issuers to eliminate disparities in mental health and addiction treatment access compared to medical/surgical benefits.
  4. 2024-2025 Special Per Diem Rates
    • The IRS released new per diem rates for business travel expenses:
      • Transportation Industry: $80 (CONUS) and $86 (OCONUS).
      • High-Low Substantiation Method: $319 for high-cost localities, $225 for others, with specific meal allowances.

How This Could Be Used for a Landing Page:

For a tax advisory firm or a government agency like the IRS or TAS to keep stakeholders informed, you could structure the landing page like this:

Tax Updates: Key Developments and Compliance Information

1. Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) Updates

National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins has addressed concerns raised by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) about TAS delays. With a significant rise in case numbers, TAS is actively working to improve response times and case resolutions. Learn more about the challenges and the steps being taken to enhance service delivery.

2. New Regulations on Estate Tax Reporting

The IRS has issued final regulations on consistent basis reporting for property acquired from a decedent. Executors must comply with new estate tax return filing requirements starting September 17, 2024.

3. Premium Tax Credit Updates

The IRS has updated the guidelines for determining employer coverage affordability for Premium Tax Credit eligibility. Changes will take effect in 2025, impacting health insurance coverage assessments.

4. Final Rules for Mental Health Parity

New regulations effective January 2025 address nonquantitative treatment limitations (NQTLs) in group health plans. These rules aim to ensure parity between mental health/addiction treatment and medical/surgical benefits.

5. IRS 2024-2025 Special Per Diem Rates

The IRS has released new special per diem rates for travel expenses, including rates for the transportation industry, high-cost localities, and more.

This article is posted at wolterskluwer.com

Please fill out the form to access the content

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Checkboxes