IRS Criminal Investigation released its Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Report highlighting significant gains in identifying global financial crime. The agency reported a substantial increase in investigative...
The IRS opened a 90-day public comment period to seek input on proposed updates to its Voluntary Disclosure Practice intended to simplify compliance requirements and standardize penalties. The proposa...
IRS information letters have been released by the IRS National Office in response to a request for general information by taxpayers or by government officials on behalf of constituents or on their own...
The IRS has announced that the applicable dollar amount used to calculate the fees imposed by Code Secs. 4375 and 4376 for policy and plan years that end on or after October 1, 2025, and before Oc...
A partnership (taxpayer) was denied a deduction for an easement donation related to a property (P1). The taxpayer claimed the deduction for the wrong year. Additionally, the taxpayer (1) substantially...
Massachusetss Gov. Maura Healey announced that Personal Care Attendants (PCAs) in Massachusetts will now be exempt from both state and federal income taxes on earnings for providing care to MassHealth...
The IRS has provided interim guidance on the deductions for qualified tips and qualified overtime compensation under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). For tax year 2025, employers and other payors are not required to separately account for cash tips or qualified overtime compensation on Forms W-2, 1099-NEC, or 1099-MISC furnished to individual taxpayers.
The IRS has provided interim guidance on the deductions for qualified tips and qualified overtime compensation under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). For tax year 2025, employers and other payors are not required to separately account for cash tips or qualified overtime compensation on Forms W-2, 1099-NEC, or 1099-MISC furnished to individual taxpayers. The notice addresses determining the amount of qualified tips and qualified overtime compensation for TY2025 and provides transition relief from the requirement that qualified tips must not be received in the course of a specified service trade or business.
Background
OBBBA added deductions for qualified tips under Code Sec. 224 and qualified overtime compensation under Code Sec. 225. Both deductions are available for TYs beginning after December 31, 2024, and ending before January 1, 2029.
Deduction for Qualified Tips
Code Sec. 224(b)(2) limits the deduction amount based on a taxpayer’s modified adjusted gross income (MAGI). The deduction phases out for taxpayers with MAGI over $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers). Qualified tips are defined as cash tips received by an individual taxpayer in an occupation that customarily and regularly received tips on or before December 31, 2024. Only cash tips that are separately accounted for on the Form W-2 or reported on Form 4137 are included in calculating the deduction.
Employers are not required to separately account for cash tips on the written statements furnished to individual taxpayers for 2025. Cash tips must be properly reported on the employee’s Form W-2. The employee is responsible for determining whether the tips were received in an occupation that customarily and regularly received tips on or before December 31, 2024.
For non-employees, cash tips must be included in the total amounts reported as other income on the Form 1099-MISC, or payment card/third-party network transactions on the Form 1099-K furnished to the non-employee.
Deduction for Qualified Overtime Compensation
Code Sec. 225(b)(1) limits this deduction amount not to exceed $12,500 per return ($25,000 in the case of a joint return) in a tax year. The deduction phases out for taxpayers with MAGI over $150,000 ($300,000 for joint filers). Qualified overtime compensation is the FLSA overtime premium, which is the additional half-time payment beyond an employee's regular rate for hours worked over 40 per week under FLSA section 207(a), as reported on a Form W-2, Form 1099-NEC, or Form 1099-MISC. The notice provides calculation methods for determining the FLSA-required portion when employers pay overtime at rates exceeding FLSA requirements.
A separate accounting of qualified overtime compensation will not appear on the written statement furnished to an individual for 2025. Individual taxpayers not receiving a separate accounting of qualified overtime compensation must determine whether they are FLSA-eligible employees, which may include asking their employers about their status under the FLSA. The notice provides reasonable methods and examples for determining the amount of qualified overtime compensation, including approaches for employees paid at rates exceeding time-and-a-half and special rules for public safety employees.
IR-2025-114
The IRS provided guidance on changes relating to health savings accounts (HSAs) under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). These changes generally expand the availability of HSAs under Code Sec. 223.
The IRS provided guidance on changes relating to health savings accounts (HSAs) under the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). These changes generally expand the availability of HSAs under Code Sec. 223.
Background
To access HSAs, individual taxpayers (1) need to be covered under a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) and (2) should not have other disqualifying health coverage. The minimum annual deductible for an HDHP in 2025 is $1,650 for self-only coverage and $3,300 for family coverage. The out-of-pocket maximum for TY 2025 is $8,300 for self-only coverage and $16,600 for family coverage.
OBBBA Changes
The OBBA made a few key changes to HDHPs and, by extension, HSAs. First, it made permanent a safe harbor for HDHPs that have no deductible for telehealth and other remote care services. The OBBBA permanent extension applies retroactively after December 31, 2024.
Second, the term HDHP now includes any plan under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) (P.L. 111-148) that is available as individual coverage through an exchange, including bronze and catastrophic plans. Before the OBBBA was enacted, many bronze plans did not qualify as HDHPs because the plans’ out-of-pocket maximum exceeded the statutory limits for HDHPs or because they provided benefits that were not preventive care without a deductible. Similarly, catastrophic plans could not be HDHPs because they were required to provide three primary care visits before the minimum deductible was satisfied and to have an out-of-pocket maximum that exceeded the statutory limits for HDHPs. This provision amending the definition of an HDHP applies for months after December 31, 2025.
Finally, direct primary care service arrangements (DPCSA) under Code Sec. 223(c)(1)(E)(ii) are no longer treated as a health plan for purposes of determining HSA eligibility and enrollment, and enrolling in a DPCSA will not cause a taxpayer to fail eligibility to contribute to an HSA. These DPCSAs changes would apply after December 31, 2025.
Q&As
The IRS answered several common questions from the public regarding these three provisions with regards to administration and eligibility.
IR 2025-119
The IRS has answered initial questions regarding Trump accounts, which it intends to address in forthcoming proposed regulations. The guidance addresses general questions relating to the establishment of the accounts, contributions to the accounts, and distributions from the accounts under Code Secs. 128, 530A, and 6434. Comments, specifically on issues identified in the notice, should be submitted in writing on or before February 20, 2026, by mail or electronically.
The IRS has answered initial questions regarding Trump accounts, which it intends to address in forthcoming proposed regulations. The guidance addresses general questions relating to the establishment of the accounts, contributions to the accounts, and distributions from the accounts under Code Secs. 128, 530A, and 6434. Comments, specifically on issues identified in the notice, should be submitted in writing on or before February 20, 2026, by mail or electronically.
Establishment of the Accounts
An account may be established for the benefit of an eligible individual by making an election on Form 4547, Trump Account Election(s), or through an online tool or application on trumpaccounts.gov. A Trump account may be created at the same time that an election is made to receive a pilot program contribution. A Trump account is a traditional IRA under Code Sec. 408(a).
A rollover Trump account can only be established after the initial Trump account is created and during the growth period of the account, which is the period that ends before January 1 of the calendar year in which the account beneficiary attains age 18. A rollover account must first be funded by a qualified rollover contribution before receiving any other contribution. Additional rules regarding the choice of trustee, rollover accounts, and the written government instrument requirements are discussed in section III.A of the notice.
Pilot Program and Contributions
The election to receive a pilot program contribution is made on Form 4547 or through the online tool, once available. Pilot program contributions will be deposited into the Trump account of an eligible child no earlier than July 4, 2026.
Trustees of Trump accounts must maintain procedures to prevent contributions from exceeding the annual limit of Code Sec. 530A(c)(2)(A). Trustees are required to collect and report the amount and sources of contributions. Contributions may be made to a Trump account and to an individual retirement arrangement for the same individual during the growth period in accordance with the rules of Code Secs. 408 and 530A(c)(2).
Qualified general contributions will be transferred by the Treasury Department or its agent to the trustee of a Trump account pursuant to a general funding contribution. More information on how and where permitted entities will make an application to make a general funding contribution will be provided before the application process opens.
An employer can exclude up to $2,500 from the gross income of an employee for a contribution made by the employer to a Trump account contribution program. The annual limit is per employee, not per dependent. A Trump account contribution may be made by salary reduction under a Code Sec. 125 cafeteria plan if the contribution is made to the Trump account of the employee's dependent and not if the contribution is made to the Trump account of the employee.
Eligible Investments
The terms "mutual fund" and "exchange traded fund" are explained, with additional comments requested on their definitions. The tracking of returns of an index and leverage for purposes of Trump accounts are also described. A mutual fund or exchange traded fund will meet the requirements of having annual fees and expenses of no more than 0.1% of the balance of the investment fund if the sum of its annual fees and expenses is less than 0.1% of the value of the fund's net assets. Additional questions regarding eligible investments are discussed in section III.D of the notice.
Distributions
Only permitted distributions, which are qualified rollover contributions or qualified ABLE rollover contributions, excess contributions, or distributions upon the death of an account beneficiary, are allowed during the growth period. Hardship distributions during the growth period are not allowed. If an account beneficiary dies after the growth period, the rules that apply to other individual retirement accounts after the death of the account owner apply. If the Trump account beneficiary dies during the growth period, the account ceases to be a Trump account and an IRA as of the date of death.
Reporting and Coordination with IRA Rules
Annual reporting by the Trump account trustee is required. Forms and instructions will be issued in the future. After the growth period, distributions from Trump accounts are governed by the IRA distribution rules of Code Sec. 408(d).
Notice 2025-68
IR 2025-117
The IRS intends to issue proposed regulations to implement Code Sec. 25F, as added by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). Code Sec. 25F allows a credit for an individual taxpayer's qualified contribution to a scholarship granting organization (SGO) providing qualified elementary and secondary scholarships.
The IRS intends to issue proposed regulations to implement Code Sec. 25F, as added by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) (P.L. 119-21). Code Sec. 25F allows a credit for an individual taxpayer's qualified contribution to a scholarship granting organization (SGO) providing qualified elementary and secondary scholarships.
Tax Credit
Beginning January 1, 2027, individual taxpayers may claim a nonrefundable federal tax credit for cash contributions to SGOs. Taxpayers must be citizens or residents of the United States. The credit allowed to any taxpayer is limited to $1,700. The credit is reduced by the amount allowed as a credit on any state tax return. Additionally, to prevent a double benefit, no deduction is allowed under Code Sec. 170 for any amount taken into account as a qualified contribution for purposes of the Code Sec. 25F credit.
SGO Requirements
An organization can qualify as an SGO after satisfying conditions that include (1) being a Code Sec. 501(c)(3) organization that is exempt from tax under Code Sec. 501(a) and not a private foundation; (2) maintaining one or more separate accounts exclusively for qualified contributions; (3) appearing on the list submitted for the applicable covered state under Code Sec. 25F(g); and (4) providing scholarships to 10 or more students who do not all attend the same school, as well as meeting certain other requirements.
Request for Comments
The forthcoming proposed regulations describe the certification process currently envisioned by the Treasury Department and the IRS for covered states to elect to participate under Code Sec. 25F . The IRS requests comments on these matters before December 26, 2025, through the Federal e-Rulemaking portal (indicate “IRS-2025-0466”). Paper submissions should be sent to: Internal Revenue Service, CC:PA:01:PR (Notice 2025-70), Room 5503, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, Washington, DC 20044.
The IRS has disclosed the first set of certifications for the qualifying advanced energy project credit under Code Sec. 48C(e).
The IRS has disclosed the first set of certifications for the qualifying advanced energy project credit under Code Sec. 48C(e) for the period beginning:
- March 29, 2024, through September 30, 2025, resulting from the Round 1 allocation; and
- January 10, 2025, through September 30, 2025, resulting from the Round 2 allocation.
The Service also disclosed the identities of taxpayers and amounts of the Code Sec. 48C credits allocated to said taxpayers.
Background
Notice 2023-18, I.R.B. 2023-10, established a program to allocate $10 billion of credits for qualified investments in eligible qualifying advanced energy projects under Code Sec. 48C(e)(1). Code Sec. 48C(e)(4)(A) provides a base credit rate of 6 percent of the qualified investment. In cases where projects satisfy Code Secs. 48C(e)(5)(A) and (6), the Service would provide an alternative rate of 30 percent of the qualified investment.
Certification
Each applicant for certification has two years from the date of acceptance of the Code Sec. 48C(e) application. During this time, the applicant needs to submit evidence that the requirements of the certification have been met. The IRS will publish additional notices annually for certifications issued during each successive 12-month period beginning on October 1, 2025 for both Round 1 and 2.
Announcement 2025-22
Announcement 2025-23
The IRS and Treasury Department have provided procedures for a state to elect to be a “covered state” to participate with the Code Sec. 25F credit program for calendar year 2027 prior to identifying any scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) in the state. Form 15714 is used by a state to make the advanced election.
The IRS and Treasury Department have provided procedures for a state to elect to be a “covered state” to participate with the Code Sec. 25F credit program for calendar year 2027 prior to identifying any scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) in the state. Form 15714 is used by a state to make the advanced election.
Background
For tax years beginning after 2026, a U.S. citizen or resident alien may claim a nonrefundable personal tax credit of up to $1,700 for qualified contributions made to a scholarship granting organization (SGO). A qualified contribution is a charitable contribution of cash to an SGO that uses the contribution to fund scholarship for eligible K-12 students.
In order for a contribution made by a taxpayer to an SGO in a state (or the District of Columbia) to be a qualified contribution eligible for the credit, the state must elect participate in the credit program and must identify by January 1 of each calendar year a list of qualified SGOs in the state.
Advanced Election for 2027
A state may make an advanced election using Form 15714 to be a covered state for the Code Sec. 25F credit for the 2027. The form may be submitted any time after December 31, 2026, and before the day before the final date on which the State is permitted to submit the State SGO list (as will be specified in future guidance).
The advance election will allow a state to inform potential SGOs of the state’s participation in the credit before submitting a full SGO limit to the IRS. Any SGO list submitted with Form 15714 will not be processed by the IRS and the state will need to resubmit the list as specified in future guidance. Once a state’s advance election has been made on Form 15714 for calendar year 2027, the only subsequent submission the IRS will accept is the official submission of the state’s SGO list for the calendar year.
The IRS has formally withdrawn two proposed regulations that would have clarified how married individuals may obtain relief from joint and several tax liability. The withdrawal affects taxpayers seeking protection under Code Sec. 6015 and relief from federal income tax obligations tied to State community property laws under Code Sec. 66.
The IRS has formally withdrawn two proposed regulations that would have clarified how married individuals may obtain relief from joint and several tax liability. The withdrawal affects taxpayers seeking protection under Code Sec. 6015 and relief from federal income tax obligations tied to State community property laws under Code Sec. 66.
The two notices of proposed rulemaking—originally issued on August 13, 2013 (78 FR 49242), and November 20, 2015 (80 FR 72649)—offered procedural guidance for requesting equitable, innocent spouse, or separation of liability relief. These proposals also reflected statutory amendments introduced by the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 and evolving jurisprudence. The Treasury Department and the IRS decided to halt progress on these rules due to the passage of time, the scope of public comments, and resource prioritization.
While the agency acknowledged the regulatory need in this area, it cited the volume and breadth of feedback as grounds for reassessment. The IRS clarified that any future rules addressing these issues would require new proposals and another round of public comment, in line with current statutory frameworks and legal developments.
Importantly, this withdrawal does not prevent the issuance of new regulations on joint and several liability relief. Nor does it alter existing statutory or regulatory obligations in place under current law. The IRS retains authority under 26 U.S.C. 7805 to revisit and re-propose rules as necessary.
The withdrawal was announced by the IRS and Treasury on December 15, 2025, and was signed by Frank J. Bisignano, Chief Executive Officer. Tax professionals and affected individuals should continue to rely on existing law and procedures when seeking relief under Code Secs. 6015 and 66.
The American Institute of CPAs has voiced its opposition to the Internal Revenue Service’s proposal to combine the Office of Personal Responsibility and the Return Preparer Office
The American Institute of CPAs has voiced its opposition to the Internal Revenue Service’s proposal to combine the Office of Personal Responsibility and the Return Preparer Office.
“The AICPA has an extensive and resolute history of steadfastly supporting initiatives that would enhance compliance, elevate ethical conduct, and protect taxpayer confidence in our tax system,” the organization said in a November 14, 2025, letter to the directors of the two offices. “The proposed combination of OPR and RPO contravenes those principles.” A copy of this and other AICPA 2025 tax policy and advocacy comment letters can be found here.
AICPA said it “strongly opposes any efforts to combine OPR and RPO because it would inappropriately consolidate credentialed and uncredentialed return preparers under OPR, create potential conflicts of interest, and divert resources from the primary role of OPR.”
It added that the merger “would sow confusion among taxpayers trying to understand the differing qualifications and practice rights of preparers, which would harm taxpayers and erode taxpayer confidence in our tax system.”
AICPA noted that OPR “has the exclusive delegated authority to interpret and enforce the regulations in Treasury Department Circular 230 (Circular 230), which governs tax practitioners interacting with the tax administration system,” while RPO “administers the Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) program, manages the enrolled agent practitioner program, encourages enrollment in the Annual Filing Season Program (AFSP), and processes some complaints against return preparers.”
“These two offices perform dissimilar government functions, oversee different types of preparers, and, therefore, should remain separate to avoid potential conflicts of interest,” AICPA said in the letter.
AICPA argued that the combination would divert resources away from the primary role of OPR and could undermine the credibility of OPR’s enforcement objective.
“Under a combined OPR unit, unscrupulous and incompetent preparers could readily misrepresent that they are subject to ethical obligations overseen by the ‘Office of Professional Responsibility,’ which would give such preparers a foothold to abuse taxpayers and undermine public trust and accountability in the tax profession,” AICPA stated in the letter.
By Gregory Twachtman, Washington News Editor
The IRS has issued a revenue procedure with a safe harbor that allows certain interests in rental real estate to be treated as a trade or business for purposes of the Code Sec. 199A qualified business income (QBI) deduction. The safe harbor is intended to lessen taxpayer uncertainty on whether a rental real estate interest qualifies as a trade or business for the QBI deduction, including the application of the aggregation rules in Reg. §1.199A-4.
The IRS has issued a revenue procedure with a safe harbor that allows certain interests in rental real estate to be treated as a trade or business for purposes of the Code Sec. 199A qualified business income (QBI) deduction. The safe harbor is intended to lessen taxpayer uncertainty on whether a rental real estate interest qualifies as a trade or business for the QBI deduction, including the application of the aggregation rules in Reg. §1.199A-4.
QBI Deduction and Rental Real Estate
Under Code Sec. 199A, certain noncorporate taxpayers can deduct up to 20 percent of the taxpayer’s QBI from each of the taxpayer's qualified trades or businesses, including those operated through a partnership, S corporation, or sole proprietorship. Certain relevant passthrough entities (RPEs) (partnerships, S corporations, trust funds) calculate the deduction and pass it along to their owners or beneficiaries. A qualified trade or business is generally any trade or business under Code Sec. 162, but not a specified service trade or business (SSTB) or a trade or business of performing services as an employee.
Rental or licensing of tangible or intangible property (i.e., rental activity) that is not a Code Sec. 162 trade or business is still treated as a trade or business for the QBI deduction if the property is rented or licensed to a trade or business conducted by the individual or a RPE which is commonly controlled under Reg. §1.199A-4 ( Reg. §1.199A-1(b)(14)).
Earlier this year, the IRS released a proposed revenue procedure with a safe harbor for treating a rental real estate enterprise as a trade or business under Code Sec. 199A ( Notice 2019-7, I.R.B. 2019-9, 740). The IRS has issued the new revenue procedure after considering public comments on Notice 2019-7.
Rental Real Estate Enterprise
The new safe harbor applies to a "rental real estate enterprise." This is an interest in real property held for the production of rents, and may consist of an interest in a single property or interests in multiple properties. The taxpayer or RPE must hold each interest directly or through a disregarded entity, and may either:
- treat each interest in similar property held for the production of rents as a separate rental real estate enterprise; or
- treat interests in all similar properties held for the production of rents as a single rental real estate enterprise.
Properties are similar if they are part of the same rental real estate category: either residential or commercial. Commercial real estate held for the production of rents can only be part of the same enterprise with other commercial real estate. Residential properties can only be part of the same enterprise with other residential properties.
A taxpayer or RPE that treats interests in similar properties as a single rental real estate enterprise must continue to treat interests in all similar properties, including newly acquired properties, as a single rental real estate enterprise if it continues to rely on the safe harbor. However, a taxpayer or RPE that chooses to treat its interest in each residential or commercial property as a separate rental real estate enterprise can choose to treat its interests in all similar commercial or all similar residential properties as a single rental real estate enterprise in a future year.
An interest in mixed-use property—a single building that combines residential and commercial units—can be treated as a single rental real estate enterprise, or bifurcated into separate residential and commercial interests. A mixed-use property interest that is treated as a single rental real estate enterprise cannot be treated as part of the same enterprise as other residential, commercial, or mixed-use property.
Safe Harbor Requirements
The safe harbor determination must be made annually. For a rental real estate enterprise to qualify for the safe harbor, all of the following requirements must be met during the tax year:
- Separate books and records are maintained to reflect income and expenses for each rental real estate enterprise. If an enterprise has more than one property, the requirement can be met if income and expense information statements for each property are maintained and then consolidated.
- For rental real estate enterprises in existence for less than four years, 250 or more hours of rental services are performed per year. For rental real estate enterprises in existence for at least four years, 250 or more hours of rental services are performed per year in any three of the five consecutive tax years that end with the tax year.
- The taxpayer maintains contemporaneous records (including time reports, logs, or similar documents) on the hours of all services performed, a description of all services performed, the dates when the services were performed, and who performed the services. For services performed by employees or independent contractors, the taxpayer may provide a description of the rental services, the amount of time generally spent performing the services, and the time, wage, or payment records for the employee or independent contractor. Records must be made available for inspection at the IRS's request. (The contemporaneous records requirement does not apply to tax years that begin before January 1, 2020.)
- For each tax year for which it relies on the safe harbor, the taxpayer or RPE must attach a statement to a timely filed original return (or an amended return for the 2018 tax year only) that includes: (i) a description (including the address and rental category) of all rental real estate properties in each rental real estate enterprise; (ii) a description (including the address and rental category) of rental real estate properties acquired and disposed of during the tax year; and (iii) a representation that the requirements of Rev. Proc. 2019-38 have been satisfied.
"Rental services" include, but are not limited to:
- advertising to rent or lease the real estate;
- negotiating and executing leases;
- verifying information contained in prospective tenant applications;
- collecting rent;
- daily operation, maintenance, and repair of the property, including purchasing materials and
- supplies;
- managing the real estate; and
- supervising employees and independent contractors.
Rental services does not include:
- financial or investment management activities, such as arranging financing;
- procuring property;
- studying and reviewing financial statements or reports on operations;
- improving property under Reg. §1.263(a)-3(d); or
- time spent traveling to and from the real estate.
If an enterprise fails to satisfy the safe harbor requirements, it can still be treated as a trade or business for the QBI deduction if it otherwise meets the trade or business definition in Reg. §1.199A-1(b)(14).
Property Excluded From Safe Harbor
The safe harbor does not apply to:
- real estate used by the taxpayer (including an owner or beneficiary of an RPE) as a residence under Code Sec. 280A(d);
- real estate rented or leased under a triple net lease, which includes a lease agreement that requires the tenant or lessee to pay taxes, fees, and insurance, and to pay for maintenance activities for a property in addition to rent and utilities;
- real estate rented to a trade or business conducted by a taxpayer or an RPE that is commonly controlled under Reg. §1.199A-4(b)(1)(i); or
- the entire rental real estate interest, if any portion of it is treated as an SSTB under Reg. §1.199A-5(c)(2).
Effective Date
The safe harbor applies to tax years ending after December 31, 2017. However, taxpayers and RPEs can rely on the prior safe harbor in Notice 2019-7 for the 2018 tax year.
The IRS has issued final regulations that amend the rules relating to hardship distributions from Code Sec. 401(k) plans. The final regulations are substantially similar to the proposed regulations. Further, plans that complied with the proposed regulations satisfy the final regulations as well. The regulations are effective on September 23, 2019.
The IRS has issued final regulations that amend the rules relating to hardship distributions from Code Sec. 401(k) plans. The final regulations are substantially similar to the proposed regulations. Further, plans that complied with the proposed regulations satisfy the final regulations as well. The regulations are effective on September 23, 2019.
The final regulations:
- reflect statutory changes affecting Code Sec. 401(k) plans, including changes made by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 ( P.L. 115-123); and
- affect participants in, beneficiaries of, employers maintaining, and administrators of plans that include cash or deferred arrangements or provide for employee or matching contributions.
Deemed Immediate and Heavy Financial Need
The final regulations modify the safe harbor list of expenses for which distributions are deemed to be made on account of an immediate and heavy financial need. The final regulations:
- add "primary beneficiary under the plan" as an individual for whom qualifying medical, educational, and funeral expenses may be incurred;
- modify the expense listed in existing Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(iii)(B)(6) to provide that the limitations in Code Sec. 165(h)(5) do not apply for this purpose; and
- add to the list a new type of expense, relating to expenses incurred as a result of certain disasters.
Distribution Necessary to Satisfy Financial Need
The final regulations modify the rules for determining whether a distribution is necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy financial need, by:
- eliminating any requirement that an employee be prohibited from making elective contributions and employee contributions after receipt of a hardship distribution; and
- eliminating any requirement to take plan loans prior to obtaining a hardship distribution.
In particular, the final regulations, like the proposed regulations, eliminate the safe harbor in existing Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(iv)(E), under which a distribution is deemed necessary to satisfy the financial need only if elective contributions and employee contributions are suspended for at least six months after a hardship distribution is made and, if available, nontaxable plan loans are taken before the hardship distribution is made.
Expanded Sources for Hardship Distributions
The final regulations modify existing Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3) to permit hardship distributions from Code Sec. 401(k) plans of elective contributions, qualified nonelective contributions (QNECs), qualified matching contributions (QMACs), and earnings on these amounts, regardless of when contributed or earned.
Section 403(b) Plans
A hardship distribution of Code Sec. 403(b) elective deferrals is subject to the rules and restrictions set forth in Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3). Accordingly, the preamble to the proposed regulations had stated that the new rules relating to a hardship distribution of elective contributions from a Code Sec. 401(k) plan generally apply to Code Sec. 403(b) plans. Because this requirement is retained in the final regulations, at Reg. §1.401(k)-1(d)(3)(iii)(B), it applies to Code Sec. 403(b) plans.
Applicability Dates
The changes to the hardship distribution rules made by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 are effective for plan years beginning after December 31, 2018.
Plan Amendments
The Treasury Department and IRS expect that plan sponsors will need to amend their plans’ hardship distribution provisions to reflect the final regulations, and any such amendment must be effective for distributions beginning no later than January 1, 2020. The deadline for amending a disqualifying provision is set forth in Rev. Proc. 2016-37, I.R.B. 2016-29,136.
Taxpayers may use the automatic consent procedures to change accounting methods to comply with the recent proposed regulations described above. Rev. Proc. 2018-31, I.R.B. 2018-22, 637, is modified.
Taxpayers may use the automatic consent procedures to change accounting methods to comply with the recent proposed regulations described above. Rev. Proc. 2018-31, I.R.B. 2018-22, 637, is modified.
The proposed regulations provide rules for:
- inclusion in gross income under the all events test for taxpayers with an applicable financial statement (AFS) ( NPRM REG-104870-18); and
- use of the deferral method for advance payments for taxpayers with or without an AFS ( NPRM REG-104554-18).
Certain qualifying taxpayers may apply for a change to comply with the proposed regulations without filing a Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method.
Taxpayers Affected
The accounting change procedures for inclusion in gross income for taxpayers with an AFS generally apply to taxpayers with an AFS that want to:
- change to a method of accounting that treats an item of gross income as meeting the all events test no later than when the item is taken into account as revenue in its AFS under Code Sec. 451(b)(1)(A);
- in certain cases, allocate the transaction price to performance obligations under Code Sec. 451(b)(4);
- change to a method of accounting that complies with Proposed Reg. §1.451-3; or
- change to a method of accounting that complies with Proposed Reg. §1.451-8(c).
The procedures also apply to taxpayers that do not have an AFS and that want to change to a method of accounting that complies with Proposed Reg. §1.451-8(d).
In addition, the procedures apply to a change in AFS in order to apply certain revenue recognition methods of accounting.
Pending Nonautomatic Applications
The IRS will return any Form 3115 requesting a change in method of accounting available under this revenue procedure that:
- was filed on or before September 9, 2019, under the non-automatic procedures for a tax year beginning after December 31, 2017; and
- is pending with the National Office on September 9, 2019.
The National Office will send a letter to the taxpayer acknowledging the return of the Form 3115, and will return the user fee submitted with the form. A timely resubmitted Form 3115 will be considered filed as of the date the taxpayer originally filed the Form 3115 under the nonautomatic change procedures.
Effective Date
This revenue procedure is generally effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. For specified credit card fees, it is effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2018.
The IRS has granted a six-month extension to eligible partnerships to file a superseding Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income, and furnish corresponding Schedules K-1, Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits. For a calendar year partnership, the deadline to file Form 1065 and corresponding Schedules K-1 was March 15, which has now been extended to September 15.
The IRS has granted a six-month extension to eligible partnerships to file a superseding Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income, and furnish corresponding Schedules K-1, Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits. For a calendar year partnership, the deadline to file Form 1065 and corresponding Schedules K-1 was March 15, which has now been extended to September 15.
The relief is available to a partnership that satisfies the following eligibility requirements for the applicable tax year:
- the partnership has not elected the application of Code Sec. 6221(b) (Election Out for Certain Partnerships with 100 or Fewer Partners);
- it has timely filed Form 1065 and
- it has timely furnished all required Schedules K-1 (without regard to the extensions of time provided by the revenue procedure).
The extensions are available only to partnerships that timely filed Form 1065 and timely furnished Schedules K-1 and also file a superseding Form 1065 and furnish corresponding Schedules K-1 on or before the date that is six-months after the non-extended deadline. Further, the filing and furnishing extensions apply only to partnership tax years that ended prior to the issuance of the revenue procedure and for which the extended due date for the partnership tax year is after July 25, 2019.
The IRS is allowing the extensions because certain Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA) partnerships timely filed Form 1065 for the 2018 tax year and timely furnished Schedules K-1 to their partners but may have made errors, including not properly reporting all of the required information on the Schedules K-1. The relief is directed at partnerships that, having timely filed, did not request an extension of the deadline to file and, due to the restrictions on amending Schedules K-1 under Code Sec. 6031(a) may not amend the Schedules K-1, including for the 2018 tax year.
Eligible partnerships taking advantage of the extensions should file a superseding Form 1065 and furnish corresponding Schedules K-1 in the same manner as the original return and Schedules K-1 and write on the top of the superseding Form 1065 "SUPERSEDING FORM 1065 PURSUANT TO REVENUE PROCEDURE 2019-32."

