IRS Newsroom

Circular 230, Publication 947 available in Spanish for tax pros for the first time

IR-2020-246, October 27, 2020 — As part of an ongoing initiative to provide information and assistance to underserved communities more effectively, the Internal Revenue Service announced today that it is making two key publications designed for tax professionals available in Spanish.

IRS provides tax inflation adjustments for tax year 2021

IR-2020-245, October 26, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the tax year 2021 annual inflation adjustments for more than 60 tax provisions, including the tax rate schedules and other tax changes. Revenue Procedure 2020-45 provides details about these annual adjustments.

Income ranges for determining IRA eligibility change for 2021

IR-2020-244, October 26, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service announced cost of living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2021 in Notice 2020-79, posted today on IRS.gov.

IRS reminds businesses to e-file payroll tax returns

IR-2020-243, October 26, 2020 — The next quarterly payroll tax return due date is October 31, and the Internal Revenue Service urges business owners to use the speed and convenience of filing the returns electronically. Deposits made by Monday, November 2, however, would still be considered timely as October 31 is a Saturday.

To help non-filers, IRS sets Nov. 10 as ‘National EIP Registration Day;’ Register at IRS.gov for Economic Impact Payment

IR-2020-242, October 23, 2020 — The IRS today set November 10 as “National EIP Registration Day,” as the agency and partners across the country launch a final push to encourage everyone who doesn’t normally file a tax return to register to receive an Economic Impact Payment.

IRS offers new stricter settlement for micro-captive insurance schemes; offer letters being mailed to groups under audit

IR-2020-241, October 22, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service announced today a second time-limited settlement initiative for certain taxpayers under audit who participated in abusive micro-captive insurance transactions.

IRS releases draft Form 1065 instructions on partner tax basis capital reporting

IR-2020-240, October 22, 2020 — The IRS released today an early draft of the instructions to Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income, for tax year 2020 (filing season 2021) that include revised instructions for partnerships required to report capital accounts to partners on Schedule K-1 (Form 1065).

IRS announces 2021 Tax Counseling for the Elderly and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program Grants

IR-2020-239, October 21, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service recently awarded over $36 million in Tax Counseling for the Elderly and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance grants to organizations that provide free federal tax return preparation.

IRS reminds tax professionals to renew PTINs now for 2021

IR-2020-238, October 20, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service reminds the nation’s more than 780,000 active tax return preparers to start the upcoming 2021 filing season smoothly by renewing their Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) now. All current PTINs will expire December 31, 2020.

IRS provides tax relief for victims of September wildfires in California; Oct. 15 deadline, other dates extended to Jan. 15

IR-2020-237, October 19, 2020 — Victims of the California wildfires that began on September 4 now have until January 15, 2021, to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

IRS provides tax relief for victims of Hurricane Delta; Oct. 15 deadline, other dates extended to Feb. 16

IR-2020-236, October 19, 2020 — Victims of Hurricane Delta that began on October 6 now have until February 16, 2021 to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

IRS fights fraud aimed at charities, joins international awareness week

IR-2020-235, October 19, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service is combating fraud by once again joining organizations around the world to highlight the third annual International Charity Fraud Awareness Week, October 19-23.

Online seminars from 2020 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums now available

IR-2020-234, October 13, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service today announced 18 new seminars from the 2020 Nationwide Tax Forums are now available on IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online. The cost is $29 per seminar.

IRS adds QR technology to key balance due notices to help taxpayers

IR-2020-233, October 9, 2020 — For the first time, the IRS is adding barcode technology to notices sent to millions of taxpayers.

IRS: Check tax withholdings now as the last quarter of 2020 begins

IR-2020-232, October 9, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers that now is the perfect time to review their tax withholding and payments to avoid a surprise when filing next year.

October 15 deadline nears for taxpayers who requested tax filing extensions

IR-2020-231, October 7, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers who filed an extension that the October 15 due date to file their 2019 tax return is near.

IRS Free File marks record increase; available through Oct. 15

IR-2020-230, October 6, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that Free File, the IRS-private sector partnership that offers free tax preparation products, scored a record percentage increase in new users as taxpayers turned to free name-brand providers in 2020.

IRS extends Economic Impact Payment deadline to Nov. 21 to help non-filers

IR-2020-229, October 5, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that the deadline to register for an Economic Impact Payment (EIP) is now November 21, 2020.

IRS provides details about settlements in syndicated conservation easement transaction initiative

IR-2020-228, October 1, 2020 — As the Internal Revenue Service continues combatting abusive syndicated conservation easements, the agency today released additional information to help address questions related to the ongoing settlement initiative.

IRS issues final regulations for Achieving a Better Life Experience accounts

IR-2020-227, October 1, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service posted to IRS.gov final regulations today for Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts.

IRS expands enforcement focus on abusive micro-captive insurance schemes; taxpayers urged to consult independent tax advisor before Oct. 15 filing deadline

IR-2020-226, October 1, 2020 — With the Oct. 15th filing deadline quickly approaching, the Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to consult an independent tax advisor if they participated in a micro-captive insurance transaction.

IRS issues final regulations on the deduction for meals and entertainment

IR-2020-225, September 30, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations on the business expense deduction for meals and entertainment following changes made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA).

Redesigned IRS.gov page helps people closing a business; page features steps to navigate final tax actions 

IR-2020-224, September 30, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service today launched a redesigned page on IRS.gov to help business owners navigate the federal tax steps when closing a business.

IRS provides final regulations on income tax withholding on certain periodic retirement and annuity payments

IR-2020-223, September 28, 2020 — The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today issued final regulations updating the federal income tax withholding rules for certain periodic retirement and annuity payments made after December 31, 2020.

IRS provides tax relief for victims of Hurricane Sally; Oct. 15 deadline, other dates extended to Jan. 15

IR-2020-222, September 24, 2020 — Victims of Hurricane Sally that began on September 14 now have until January 15, 2021 to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

IRS highlights employer credits for businesses during Small Business Week

IR-2020-221, September 24, 2020 — During Small Business Week, the Internal Revenue Service reminds business owners and self-employed individuals of the employer credits available to them during COVID-19.

IRS reminds taxpayers of the home office deduction rules during Small Business Week

IR-2020-220, September 23, 2020 — During Small Business Week, Sept. 22-24, the Internal Revenue Service wants individuals to consider taking the home office deduction if they qualify.

IRS: Drought-stricken farmers, ranchers have more time to replace livestock

IR-2020-219, September 22, 2020 — Farmers and ranchers who were forced to sell livestock due to drought may have an additional year to replace the livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

IRS highlights online resources during Small Business Week; many resources available in multiple languages

IR-2020-218, September 22, 2020 —  In support of National Small Business Week – September 22 to 24 – the Internal Revenue Service is emphasizing the many IRS online resources available to help small business owners and self-employed individuals handle the tax aspects of their business.

IRS provides final regulations on deductions for estates and non-grantor trusts, including excess deductions on termination

IR-2020-217, September 21, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service today issued final regulations that provide guidance for decedents’ estates and non-grantor trusts clarifying that certain deductions of such estates and non-grantor trusts are not miscellaneous itemized deductions.

IRS finalizes regulations for 100 percent bonus depreciation

IR-2020-216, September 21, 2020 — The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today released the last set of final regulations implementing the 100% additional first year depreciation deduction that allows businesses to write off the cost of most depreciable business assets in the year they are placed in service by the business.

IRS provides tax relief for victims of Oregon wildfires; Oct. 15 deadline, other dates extended to Jan. 15

IR-2020-215, September 17, 2020  — Victims of the Oregon wildfires and straight-line winds that began on September 7 now have until January 15, 2021 to file various individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced today.

IRS releases state-by-state breakdown of nearly 9 million non-filers who will be mailed letters about Economic Impact Payments

IR-2020-214, September 17, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service today released a state-by-state breakdown of the roughly nine million people receiving a special mailing this month encouraging them to see if they’re eligible to claim an Economic Impact Payment.

IRS reminds taxpayers who filed an extension that the Oct. 15 due date approaches

IR-2020-213, September 16, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service today reminds taxpayers who filed an extension that the October 15 due date to file 2019 tax returns is approaching.

IRS reminds taxpayers and practitioners of expedited letter ruling procedures

IR-2020-212, September 16, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service continues to look for ways to assist taxpayers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

IRS updates LB&I examination directive on credit for increasing research activities

IR-2020-211, September 15, 2020 — The IRS has revised guidance for examiners in the Large Business & International division (LB&I) reviewing the amounts claimed for the tax credit for increasing research activities.

IRS issues final regulations for the rehabilitation credit

IR-2020-210, September 15, 2020 — The Internal Revenue Service today issued final regulations for taxpayers who claim the rehabilitation credit.

News Release and Fact Sheet Archive

News releases and fact sheets from November 2002 forward and an archive of news releases and fact sheets in PDF format back to 1997.

Helpful Links

• Internal Revenue Service Progress Update – Fiscal Year 2019 PDF
   
• Independent Assessment of Free File Program PDF
  • Appendix A : The Economics of IRS Free File PDF
  • Appendix B: External Program Review Crosswalk PDF
  • Appendix F1: Heuristic Evaluation Dashboard of IRS Free File Program PDF
  • Appendix F2: Heuristic Evaluation of IRS Free File Program PDF
  • Appendix 6: Taxpayer Experience Testing Report for IRS Free File Program  PDF
  • Free File Program Assessment Report Executive Summary  PDF
     
• IRS Update on Audits
   
• Tax Reform Resources
• Get free materials to share with your customers, employees, volunteers, etc. about the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
   
• Commissioner's Comments, Statements and Remarks
  Prepared comments, statements and remarks by the IRS Commissioner.
   
• 2020 and Prior Year Filing Season Statistics
  Filing season statistics showing cumulative and comparative totals.
   
• Fiscal Year 2018 Enforcement and Service Results
  The Fiscal Year 2018 Enforcement and Service Results (tables) provide the dollars collected from the examination (audit) and collection functions of the IRS. The results also tally the results of various taxpayer assistance programs.
   
• Compliance & Enforcement News
  A collection of recent news releases, statements and other items related to IRS compliance and enforcement efforts.
   
• IRS Statements and Announcements