The IRS announced the availability of IRS2Go 2.0, an expanded version of its smartphone application designed to provide taxpayers easier access to practical tools and information. The new app is available on the Apple and Android platforms.

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Changes to IRS tax form 1099-R could eliminate taxpayer confusion, improve compliance, and generate "substantial" revenue for the federal government, according to a report released Tuesday by TIGTA - "Opportunities Exist to Identify More Taxpayers Who Underreport Retirement Income."

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The IRS has reopened its Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program (OVDP). Similar programs were initiated in 2011 and 2009, from which the IRS has collected more than $4.4 billion. The OVDP is aimed at encouraging taxpayers who have stashed assets offshore to declare their outstanding tax liabilities.

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Few readers think time management is their strong suit, with the vast majority of respondents to a recent survey – 87.3 percent – saying they're either "OK, not great" at it or "could use some improvement." It's no wonder. During tax season, most accountants feel the tensions of too much work and too little time.

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Mitt Romney isn't the only one in Washington, DC, with his tax returns under the microscope. According to new data released by the IRS, 3 percent of Senate employees and more than 4 percent of House members still owe tax for the 2010 tax year, adding up to approximately $10.6 million in unpaid taxes.

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Most taxpayers – the vast majority, in fact – say they would never cheat on their taxes and that it's wrong to do so. However, to 8 percent of taxpayers polled, it's okay to cheat "as much as possible."

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Glenn Reeves of Burlington, Kansas, recently released his fifteenth annual spreadsheet-based version of the U.S. Individual Tax Return, commonly known as Form 1040. Since 1997, Reeves has pursued this "labor of love," which means he allows any taxpayer to download and use the spreadsheet for free.

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Romney has been catching a lot of flak for the relatively small amount of tax he pays, despite the millions in assets that he owns. But the GOP front-runner for president is only doing what the filthy rich usually do: paying the least amount of income tax they are legally obligated to pay.

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New cost basis reporting rules now apply to Form 1099-B sent to investors and to the IRS. But other onerous reporting rules for businesses and landlords scheduled to take effect in 2012 have been repealed. If you're confused, you're not alone. Here's a brief recap on what is and isn't taking place this year.

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On January 23, the remaining contenders for the GOP presidential nomination hit the ground running in Tampa. Romney and Gingrich dominated the debate and traded barbs over character and electability. But, despite the fireworks, core issues – tax reform, deregulation, and economic growth – were discussed.

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Tax executives are unsure what impact the IRS’s recently released “Repair Regulations” might have on their businesses, but they expect the new rules to be more difficult to administer or comply with in practice, according to results of a survey conducted by KPMG LLP, the audit, tax, and advisory firm.

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What does the Ritz-Carlton do, that other hotels don't, that makes your stay with them such a memorable experience? The hotel chain has instilled a culture of treating guests like royalty.

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Despite his decisive second-place finish in the New Hampshire primary and his strong third-place showing in the Iowa caucus, there are still some political pundits who question whether Ron Paul, who was initially a middle-of-the pack candidate, is a viable contender for the GOP presidential nomination.

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The union leader representing the IRS workforce has long argued that the most serious problem facing taxpayers is insufficient funding at the IRS. This undercuts the agency's ability to fully perform its duties. Now, Colleen M. Kelley, the president of NTEU, has a powerful ally to echo her message.

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is giving procrastinators a second chance. It says it will continue to accept renewals for Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) after the official deadline for 2012 has passed. There's no definitive length of the extension, so it's up to you to act as soon as possible.

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AccountingWEB's Weekly News Update for the week of January 9, 2012 is available in video format!

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It's not who you are or what you do, but how much you earn, as far as the IRS is concerned. New data released by the IRS indicates that the chances of being audited increase dramatically if your income reaches into seven figures. On the flip side, taxpayers earning less than $200,000 can rest a little easier.

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Earlier this month, Herman Cain announced that, despite the fact he is no longer on the GOP ballot, he will continue to take his 9-9-9 tax reform and economic recovery plan to the public through his newly formed Solutions Revolution bus tour and media blitz.

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The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has kicked off the 2012 tax return season with a series of five new Fact Sheets that were released the first week of January. In them, the IRS discusses recent changes, improvements, free services, and more that are relevant to both taxpayers and practitioners.

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New York tax preparer Howard Levine has pleaded guilty to filing false tax returns containing contained fictitious deductions, business expenses, and corporate losses.

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