Tax Updates July 28

Transition Tax On Untaxed Foreign Earnings

The IRS has provided details on Section 965, transition tax on untaxed foreign earnings. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) requires some untaxed foreign earnings and profits to be taxed as if those earnings have been repatriated to the US. Details on the income that must be recognized are provided, as well as a related deduction which generally lowers the effective tax rate to between 8% and 15.5%. Information is also available detailing how some taxpayers may choose to make installment payments over eight years.

Preventive Care To Include Some Chronic Conditions

The IRS has expanded the list of preventive care for HSA participants to include care for some chronic conditions. Preventive care benefits that may be provided by a high deductible health plan (HDHP) are not subject to the deductible, and now include certain medical care services received and items purchased, including prescription drugs, for certain chronic conditions for someone with that chronic condition. These include SSRIs, beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, diabetes testing materials, and more, for people with specific diagnoses.

Tax Security Remains a Priority

The IRS continues to help tax professionals secure client data and reduce tax fraud. “Taxes-Security-Together” – Step 1 details six sub-steps to secure basic protections, including anti-virus software, firewalls, two-factor authentication, backup services, encryption, and VPNs. The “Taxes-Security-Together” Checklist – Step 2 reminds tax professionals of their duty to have a written data security plan, and what is required in that plan. More steps to come.

IRS Pursues Virtual Currency Taxes

The IRS has begun sending letters to virtual currency owners, reminding them of their obligations to file amended returns and pay back taxes, interest, and penalties where appropriate. Ten thousand taxpayers are expected to receive these letters by the end of August as the IRS continues its efforts of addressing virtual currency non-compliance. Taxpayers who do not properly report such transactions could even be subject to criminal prosecution.