IRS Outlines Withdrawal Process for Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) Claims

As reported via IR-2023-193 on 10/19/2023 Special initiative aimed at helping businesses concerned about an ineligible claim amid aggressive marketing, scams As part of a larger effort to protect small businesses and organizations from scams, the Internal Revenue Service announced the details of a special withdrawal process to help those who filed an Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) claim and are concerned about its accuracy. This new withdrawal option allows certain employers that filed an ERTC claim but have not yet received a refund to withdraw their submission and avoid future repayment, interest and penalties. Employers that submitted an ERTC claim that's still being processed can withdraw their claim and avoid the possibility of getting a refund for which they're ineligible. The IRS created the withdrawal option to help...

IRS Opens Clean Vehicle Tax Credit Tool to Auto Dealers

As reported via IR-2023-202 on 11/1/2023 IRS opens free Energy Credit Online tool for sellers of clean vehicles to register for time-of-sale reporting and dealer advance payments for the Clean Vehicle Credit The Internal Revenue Service announced today that sellers of clean vehicles can now register using the new IRS Energy Credits Online tool, available free from the IRS. Known as IRS Energy Credits Online or IRS ECO, this free electronic service is secure, accurate and requires no special software. Though available to any business of any size, IRS Energy Credit Online may be especially helpful to any small business that currently sells clean vehicles. The IRS’s new Energy Credits Online tool will allow dealers and sellers of clean vehicles to complete the entire process online and receive advance...

IRS Orders Immediate Stop to New ERTC Processing

As appearing in IRS IR-2023-169 To protect taxpayers from scams, IRS orders immediate stop to new Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) processing amid surge of questionable claims Concerns from tax pros, aggressive marketing to ineligible applicants highlights unacceptable risk to businesses and the tax system Moratorium on processing of new claims through year’s end will allow IRS to add more safeguards to prevent future abuse, protect businesses from predatory tactics; IRS working with Justice Department to pursue fraud fueled by aggressive marketing WASHINGTON – Amid rising concerns about a flood of improper Employee Retention Credit claims, the Internal Revenue Service today announced an immediate moratorium through at least the end of the year on processing new claims for the pandemic-era relief program to protect honest small business owners from...

Cash Payments Over $10,000 Must be Reported Online Beginning 1/1/2024

As reported in IRS News Release IR-2023-157 The Internal Revenue Service announced that starting 1/1/2024, businesses are required to electronically file (e-file) Form 8300, Report of Cash Payments Over $10,000, instead of filing a paper return. This new requirement follows final regulations amending e-filing rules for information returns, including Forms 8300. Businesses that receive more than $10,000 in cash must report transactions to the U.S. government. Although many cash transactions are legitimate, information reported on Forms 8300 can help combat those who evade taxes, profit from the drug trade, engage in terrorist financing or conduct other criminal activities. The government can often trace money from these illegal activities through payments reported on Forms 8300 that are timely filed, complete and accurate. The new requirement for e-filing Forms 8300...

What it Will Take to Build a Better Automotive Battery Supply Chain

As posted to the Climate One YouTube page on 7/17/23 Run Time 58 minutes, 47 seconds (when beginning at Time Stamp 21:33) Climate One clip description: Demand for lithium ion batteries is expected to grow 500% by 2030, and the race for raw materials is on. Lithium mines around the world are opening or expanding, while children as young as six in the Congo carry sacks of cobalt-laced rocks on their backs for less than $2 a day. Recycling presents promising opportunities, yet before millions of batteries can be recycled, they have to be made in the first place. At the same time, advances in battery chemistry continue to be made, and it’s not hard to imagine a near future when batteries don’t require lithium or cobalt at...

Electric Car Tires Explained

As posted to the Engineering Explained YouTube Channel on 12/23/2022 (Run Time 11 min, 45 sec) Electric cars place unique challenges on tires, as a result of four key characteristics: weight, efficiency, noise, and torque. Thanks to asking Hankook's engineers an abundance of questions, John Fenske has got all the answers on how electric car tires can help EVs overcome these challenges. (This is Blog Post #1396) Jason Fenske is a graduated mechanical engineer with a passion for cars, and his goal is to help other people passionate about cars learn how they work.  Check out his YouTube Channel here: www.youtube.com/@EngineeringExplained/about...

Ranking the Top 12 Automakers

As posted to the AutoLine Network YouTube Channel on 4/8/2023 (Run Time 10 min, 25 sec) John McElroy presents his 2023 ranking of the top 12 automakers based on revenue, profits and several other factors. No editorializing . . . just the numbers. (This is Blog Post #1396) John McElroy has been called an influential thought leader in the automotive industry. He created “Autoline Daily,” the first industry webcast of industry news and analysis. He also hosts the Emmy Award-winning television program “Autoline This Week” and co-hosts “Autoline After Hours”, all of which can be found at www.autoline.tv....

IRS Issues Guidance Related to the New Clean Vehicle Critical Mineral and Battery Components

As appearing in IRS Newswire IR-2023-64 The Internal Revenue Service just issued a proposed regulation related to certain requirements that must be met for critical minerals and battery components for the new clean vehicle credit. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) allows a maximum credit of $7,500 per vehicle, consisting of $3,750 in the case of a vehicle that meets certain requirements relating to critical minerals and $3,750 in the case of a vehicle that meets certain requirements relating to battery components. The critical mineral and battery component requirements will apply to vehicles placed in service on or after April 18, 2023, the day after the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is issued in the Federal Register. New clean vehicles placed in service on or after April 18, 2023, are subject...

IRS Provides Roadmap on How to Value a Private Business

Revenue Ruling 59-60 is a landmark piece of IRS guidance that outlines the factors to consider when estimating the fair market value of a private business. Here’s an overview of those factors, along with other hidden details found in the ruling’s fine print. 8-factor approach Revenue Ruling 59-60 says that business valuation is an inexact science, often resulting in “wide differences of opinion” about the value of a particular business interest. Therefore, valuation professionals use a customized approach that considers the following eight factors: 1. The nature and history of the subject company, 2. The outlook for the general economy and industry, 3. Book value and financial condition (from at least two years of balance sheets), 4. Earnings capacity (from at least five years of income statements), 5. Dividend-paying capacity (as opposed...

May 15 Tax Deadline Extended to October 15 for California Disaster Area Taxpayers

As reported in IR-2023-33 on 2/24/2023 Disaster-area taxpayers in most of California now have until October 16, 2023, to file various federal individual and business tax returns and make tax payments, the Internal Revenue Service announced last Friday. Previously, the deadline had been postponed to May 15, 2023 for these areas. The IRS is offering relief to any area designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in on the page entitled California Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides. There are four different eligible FEMA declarations, and the start dates and other details vary for each of these disasters. The current list of eligible localities and other details for each disaster are always available on the Tax Relief in Disaster Situations page on IRS.gov. The additional relief postpones...