Comment on tax certainty, issue resolution; disaster relief; art alert; chatbot expansion; moreBookmark and Share

IRS.gov Banner
e-News for Small Business October 27, 2023

Tax Resources for Small Business

Small Business Self-Employment Center

Small Business Forms & Instructions

Small Business Tax Workshops, Meetings and Seminars

Webinars for Small Businesses

E-file Employment Tax Forms

Businesses with Employees

Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center

S Corporations


Other Resources

IRS Home Page

A-Z Index for Business

Forms, Instructions & Publications

Filing Your Taxes

Pay Online

Taxpayer Advocate Service

Retirement Plans for Small Entities and Self-Employed

Tax Information for Charities
and Other Non-Profits

State Government Websites

SSA/RS Reporter

IRS Social Media

?

?

Issue Number:? 2023-14

Inside This Issue

  1. IRS requests small businesses to comment on expanding tax certainty and issue resolution programs
  2. Current taxpayer relief?
  3. IRS: Beware of improper art donation deduction promotions
  4. IRS expands chatbot technology ? already serving more than 13 million taxpayers
  5. Know the benefits of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit
  6. Other tax news

1.??IRS requests small businesses to comment on expanding tax certainty and issue resolution programs


The IRS?s Strategic Operating Plan is helping small businesses resolve potential compliance issues up front, through expanded pre-filing and tax certainty programs. These programs allow the IRS and businesses to work together in resolving complex issues before the business files a tax return.

The IRS requests comments from small businesses about improving and expanding tax certainty and issue resolution options for business taxpayers by March 31, 2024.

See the expanding tax certainty and issue resolution programs IRS news release for details and how to submit comments.

Back to top


2.? Current taxpayer relief


Terrorist attacks in the State of Israel

Individuals and businesses affected by the terrorist attacks in the State of Israel now have until Oct. 7, 2024, to file various federal returns, make tax payments and perform other time-sensitive tax-related actions.

California storm victims

The IRS further postponed tax deadlines for most California taxpayers to Nov. 16, 2023. In the wake of last winter?s natural disasters, the normal spring due dates had previously been postponed to Oct. 16.

Seawater and hurricanes

Individuals and businesses impacted by seawater intrusion in parts of Louisiana, Hurricane Lee anywhere in Maine and Massachusetts and Hurricane Idalia in 28 of 159 counties in Georgia now have until Feb. 15, 2024, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments.

Hawaii

The IRS provided guidance for employers whose employees forgo sick, vacation or personal leave to aid victims of the wildfires that began in parts of Hawaii on Aug. 8, 2023.

Farmers and ranchers

Eligible farmers and ranchers in 49 states and other areas forced to sell livestock due to drought may have an extended period of time in which to replace the livestock and defer tax on any gains from the forced sales.

Back to top


3.??IRS: Beware of improper art donation deduction promotions


The IRS warns taxpayers to watch for promotions involving exaggerated art donation deductions that can target high-income filers, and offers special tips to avoid getting caught them.

As part of a larger effort to increase compliance work on high-income individuals and corporations, and protect taxpayers from scams, the IRS has active promoter investigations and taxpayer audits underway in this area.

Find details about these schemes, including:

  • How the scheme works
  • How to properly claim the deduction, including IRS art appraisal services
  • What red flags to watch for
  • What the IRS is doing about it

Back to top


4.??IRS expands chatbot technology ? already serving more than 13 million taxpayers?


The IRS is using Inflation Reduction Act funding to expand its chatbot technology, which quickly answers basic questions for taxpayers receiving notices about possibly underreporting their taxes. The newest chatbot feature will assist taxpayers who receive notices CP2000, CP2501 and CP3219A. These mailings inform taxpayers if the tax information the IRS received from third parties doesn't match the information they provided to the IRS themselves.

Rollout of the newest chatbot builds on prior IRS successes using the technology to help improve taxpayer service. Since January 2022, IRS voice and chatbots, both in English and Spanish, helped more than 13 million taxpayers avoid wait times by resolving their tax issues, including setting up roughly $151 million in payment agreements.

The IRS plans to continue additional bot technology features in the future to assist taxpayers with more complex issues.

Back to top


5.??Know the benefits of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit


The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment. The WOTC joins other workforce programs that incentivize workplace diversity and facilitate access to good jobs for American workers.

For more information, guidelines and to determine if an employer qualifies for the credit, visit the WOTC page on IRS.gov.

Back to top


6.??Other tax news


The following information may be of interest to individuals and groups in or related to small businesses:

?

Credits

?

Tax Pros

Back to top


FaceBook Logo??YouTube Logo ?Instagram Logo? Twitter Logo ?LinkedIn Logo


Thank you for subscribing to this IRS email service.

This message was distributed automatically from the mailing list e-News For Small Business. Please Do Not Reply To This Message.

?


This email was sent to [email protected] by: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ? Internal Revenue Service ? 1111 Constitution Ave. N.W. ? Washington DC 20535 GovDelivery logo