Here is what you need to know from the IRS for the last two weeks.

Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Taxes Due

The IRS reminds truckers that the time to file Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return, began July 1, 2018. This highway use tax applies to highway motor vehicles with a gross weight of 55,000 pounds or more. Generally, this includes large trucks, truck tractors and buses. Special rules are explained in the instructions for the above form. Additionally, those with 25 or more heavy highway vehicles must e-file Form 2290. Returns must be filed and payments made by Aug. 31, 2018. More details and a link to the IRS Trucking Tax Center are found here.

IRS Censures Tax Professional

The IRS’ Office of Professional Responsibility censured a tax practitioner for violating conflict of interest rules. Unlike disbarment or suspension, censure is a reprimand and does not affect an individual’s eligibility to practice before the IRS. Stephen Whitlock, Director of OPR, stated, “Sanctions reflect the nature of the misconduct, impact on taxpayers and an individual’s fitness to practice before the IRS.”

IRS Penalizes Practitioner for Violating Professional Standards

In another release, the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) imposed a monetary penalty and a probationary period on a tax professional for false and deceptive advertising. Tax practitioners are prohibited from using public or private communication that contains false, fraudulent, coercive, misleading or deceptive statements, or from using false or misleading solicitations to procure business. Monetary penalties are rare in such situations, but the OPR determined it was appropriate in this case.

The IRS Continues Security Recommendations

The IRS and Security Summit partners outlined their “Security Six” – critical steps for tax professionals to take to safeguard client information. These include antivirus software, firewalls, two-factor authentication, backup software/services, drive encryption, and data security planning. Additionally, they describe specific steps for protecting client data when it comes to passwords and computer systems’ storage.