IRS issues standard mileage rates for 2020 IR-2019-215, December 31, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2020 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. New Free File agreement signed to strengthen program, help taxpayers IR-2019-214, December 30, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service announced today an agreement with Free File, Inc. (FFI) designed to bring more clarity for taxpayers choosing to use free online software during the 2020 filing season. IRS continues enforcement efforts in conservation easement cases following latest Tax Court decision IR-2019-213, December 20, 2019 — The IRS today urged taxpayers involved in designated syndicated conservation easement arrangements to consult with their tax advisors following a recent U.S. Tax Court decision and agency plans to continue enforcement efforts in this area. IRS and Treasury finalize Opportunity Zone guidance IR-2019-212, December 19, 2019 — The IRS today issued final regulations providing details about investment in qualified opportunity zones (QOZ). IRS: Make a tax payment now, avoid a tax-time surprise IR-2019-211, December 18, 2019 —Taxpayers who paid too little tax during 2019 can still avoid a tax-time surprise by making a quarterly estimated tax payment now, directly to the IRS. IRS seeks applications for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee for 2020 IR-2019-210, December 18, 2019 — The IRS is seeking qualified applicants for nomination to the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC). New downloadable assistant helps small businesses withhold the right amount of income tax IR-2019-209, December 17, 2019 — The IRS has launched a new online assistant designed to help employers, especially small businesses, easily determine the right amount of federal income tax to withhold from their workers’ pay. IRS, Treasury issue proposed regulations on compensation deductions for publicly held corporations IR-2019-208, December 17, 2019 — The Treasury Department and IRS issued proposed regulations to reflect changes from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on the tax deductibility of officers’ compensation by publicly held corporations. Get Ready for Taxes: What to do before the tax year ends December 31 IR-2019-207, December 16, 2019 — The RS reminds taxpayers there are things they should do now to get ready for the tax-filing season ahead. IRS: Recent legislation requires tax exempt organizations to e-file forms IR-2019-206, December 13, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service said today that the Taxpayer First Act, enacted July 1, requires tax exempt organizations to electronically file information returns and related forms. The new law affects tax exempt organizations in tax years beginning after July 1, 2019. IRS selects new advisory council members for 2020 IR-2019-205, December 12, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the appointment of 12 new members to the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council. IRS and TTB formalize process to support processing of claims made to the IRS Whistleblower Office IR-2019-204, December 11, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service today announced a process has been formalized with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) that puts in place procedures between the IRS and TTB to process claims for whistleblower awards under internal revenue laws that are administered and enforced by TTB. Dec. 31 deadline for most retirees to take required minimum distributions IR-2019-203, December 10, 2019 — The IRS reminds retirees born before July 1, 1949, that they usually must take distributions from their retirement plans by December 31. IRS selects longtime tax professional, Sharyn Fisk, to lead the Office of Professional Responsibility IR-2019-202, December 9, 2019 — The IRS today announced the selection of Sharyn M. Fisk to lead the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR). Interest rates remain the same for the first quarter of 2020 IR-2019-201, December 6, 2019 —The IRS today announced that interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2020. National Tax Security Awareness Week, Day 5: Tax professionals need data protection plans; must guard against identity theft IR-2019-200, December 6, 2019 — As National Tax Security Awareness week concludes, the IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry today reminded tax professionals that federal law requires them to create and follow a written information security plan to protect their clients’ data. IRS Criminal Investigation releases Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report; celebrates 100 years IR-2019-199, December 5, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service today released the Criminal Investigation Division’s (CI) annual report, highlighting significant successes and criminal enforcement actions taken in fiscal year 2019. National Tax Security Awareness Week, Day 4: IRS, Security Summit warns business owners about being targets for identity thieves IR-2019-198, December 5, 2019 — Amid threats from cybercriminals, the IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry urged employers large and small to step up cybersecurity protections against business identity theft. Jan. 31 filing deadline remains for employer wage statements, independent contractor forms IR-2019-197, December 4, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded employers and other businesses that wage statements and independent contractor forms still have a January 31 filing deadline. National Tax Security Awareness Week, Day 3: Creating strong passwords can protect taxpayers from identity theft IR-2019-196, December 4, 2019 — With millions of people logging in to websites and online accounts this holiday season, the IRS and the Security Summit partners remind taxpayers that common mistakes can increase their of risk having sensitive financial and tax data stolen by identity thieves. National Tax Security Awareness Week, Day 2: Don’t take the bait: Recognize, avoid phishing scams from identity thieves IR-2019-195, December 3, 2019 — As the holiday season approaches, the IRS and Security Summit partners warned taxpayers to watch out for phishing scams in the deluge of holiday email messages coming from retailers and others. Treasury, IRS issue final regulations on new international provision, the base erosion and anti-abuse tax IR-2019-194, December 2, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations and proposed regulations today on the base erosion and anti-abuse tax. Treasury, IRS issue final regulations on the Foreign Tax Credit IR-2019-193, December 2, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations today on the Foreign Tax Credit, a long-standing tax benefit that generally allows individuals and businesses to claim a credit for income taxes paid or accrued to foreign governments. National Tax Security Awareness Week begins; IRS and Security Summit partner offer Cyber Monday shopping tips to protect computers, mobile phones IR-2019-192, December 2, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service and the Security Summit partners opened this year’s National Tax Security Awareness Week with a warning for holiday shoppers on Cyber Monday to secure their computers and mobile phones to reduce the threat of identity theft. News release and fact sheet archive Find previous year news releases and fact sheets from 1997 through last month.