The IP PIN serves as the key to an individual’s tax account. Electronically filed returns that do not contain the correct IP PIN will be rejected, and paper returns will go through additional scrutiny for fraud. Effective now, anyone can request an IP PIN, it is no longer limited to victims of identity theft. Given the uptick in unemployment tax fraud, where thousands of social security numbers were compromised, now is the time to consider obtaining the IP PIN.

The original regulations regarding the Meals and Entertainment deductions were part of the 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Companies and self-employed individuals have been subject to these rules since then; however, there was ambiguity regarding the rules over the past few years. Fortunately, the IRS recently published the final regulations regarding the changes to the Meals and Entertainment deductions under the TCJA.

To protect your business from potential sales tax assessments, you should be aware of activity that may cause sales tax nexus. Many states are sending questionnaires to companies, but completing a questionnaire without a complete understanding of sales tax nexus could open up your business to further scrutiny by the state.

To cope with inflation, the tax code requires the IRS to adjust the tax rates, standard deductions, and a variety of other tax related numbers each year. Due to the relatively low rate of inflation from 2020 to 2021 (at least according to the calculation method prescribed by law for this purpose), several categories had no change or only a slight change. The following is a summary of the most commonly encountered inflation adjustments for 2021.

Because so many fraudulent tax returns are filed right after e-filing opens up in January, the IRS requires 1099-MISCs for NEC to be filed by January 31st and will not release refunds for individual income tax returns that include the earned income tax credit until the NEC amounts can be verified.