Recently I have attended in-person professional CE. While education can be obtained by many methods, there is something special about in-person meetings. This connection is important professionally and personally. My hope is that you get to experience this.

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Last month, I informed a long time client of changes to Social Security benefits that would impact this widow. She had worked for a municipal employer & as such she didn’t qualify for SS benefits, but her husband did. The SS Fairness Act was about to surprise her.

open.substack.com/pub/mattgayl...

Changes at IRS continue:

Email announcing retirement of my area’s IRS stakeholder liaison. Stated there is no replacement point of contact.

Taxpayer Advocate intake staff removed. Now case workers have to stop case work & log in cases. Tax pros may need alternatives, like Congressional referrals.

#TaxSky many know the benefit of an IP PIN - providing a secure method for filing taxes with the IRS. The IRS announced another benefit of using the IP PIN starting this filing season and I have observed many pros don’t know about this.

open.substack.com/pub/mattgayl...

Many improved functionality in the online accounts for Tax Pros, Businesses and Individuals. The presenters discussed items on the horizon that could make it easier to work with the IRS. It is encouraging to see, but optimism wanes in light of funding being pulled for the IRS.

Attending IRS webinar regarding updates to Tax Pro Online accounts. Looking forward to the expanding of the features - POA & TIA for businesses, payment plan requests for clients & other features to be presented #TaxSky

Wishing everyone a merry Christmas Adam today (12/23), because Adam arrived before Eve.

For those keeping score at home: the 5th Circuit Court has stayed the injunction for filing of BOI reports and the deadlines remain intact, due date is 1/1/2025. Just a reminder that penalties are for willful failure to file.

open.substack.com/pub/gtax/p/b...

FinCEN’s website now prominently displays an alert regarding the court injunction and BOI reporting not being required. Previously this was an alert hidden at the bottom of the webpage.

FinCEN has issued a statement on their website re: the court injunction. The alert is placed towards the bottom of the linked page below. Screenshot of the alert included.

Alert: Impact of Ongoing Litigation – Deadline Stay – Voluntary Submission Only

www.fincen.gov/boi

From Sen. Wyden’s stmt:

“I’m going to have a lot of questions about Mr. Long’s role in this business, first and foremost why the American people ought to trust somebody involved with a fraud-ridden industry (ERC) to run an agency that’s tasked with rooting out fraud.”

With the injunction related to BOI reporting, it is important to be informed and not be reactionary. The injunction could be lifted and still result in a need to file by the deadline or the law could be overturned. Clients need to make the ultimate decision as to how they will proceed.

The injunction against filing of beneficial ownership information reports was instituted by a district court judge in E. Texas yesterday. This creates uncertainty and chaos as other courts have ruled differently during this year. What will be the final outcome and how best to advise clients?

After Black Friday & Cyber Monday is Giving Tuesday. After celebrating a holiday in which we give thanks for the many blessings and gifts we have, it is good to give back to charities doing good work. If you have the resources, I encourage you to find a food bank or angel tree project to support. 1/

How you can tell winter is approaching, Canadian geese gathering at golf courses here in Phoenix.

Curious on this new platform - what is the vibe? Not looking to farm engagement but looking to be engaging. Looking forward to hearing from other tax pros and interesting people.