WASHINGTON —The Internal Revenue Service today simplified the paperwork and recordkeeping requirements for small businesses by raising from $500 to $2,500 the safe harbor threshold for deducting certain capital items.

The change affects businesses that do not maintain an applicable financial statement (audited financial statement). It applies to amounts spent to acquire, produce or improve tangible property that would normally qualify as a capital item.

The new $2,500 threshold applies to any such item substantiated by an invoice. As a result, small businesses will be able to immediately deduct many expenditures that would otherwise need to be spread over a period of years through annual depreciation deductions.

“We received many thoughtful comments from taxpayers, their representatives and the professional tax community, said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “This important step simplifies taxes for small businesses, easing the recordkeeping and paperwork burden on small business owners and their tax preparers.“

Responding to a February comment request, the IRS received more than 150 letters from businesses and their representatives suggesting an increase in the threshold. Commenters noted that the existing $500 threshold was too low to effectively reduce administrative burden on small business. Moreover, the cost of many commonly expensed items such as tablet-style personal computers, smart phones, and machinery and equipment parts typically surpass the $500 threshold.

As before, businesses can still claim otherwise deductible repair and maintenance costs, even if they exceed the $2,500 threshold.

The new $2,500 threshold takes effect starting with tax year 2016. In addition, the IRS will provide audit protection to eligible businesses by not challenging use of the new $2,500 threshold in tax years prior to 2016.

For taxpayers with an applicable financial statement, the de minimis or small-dollar threshold remains $5,000.

Further details on this change can be found in Notice 2015-82, posted today on IRS.gov.

It has come to our attention that an email is being issued to tax preparers asking them to update their e-Services information. The link provided in the email to access e-Services appears to be a phishing scam to capture e-Services usernames and passwords. Additionally, some tax preparers have received scam telephone calls, again attempting to capture e-Services usernames and passwords.

Remind your clients that it’s now the time to begin planning to take full advantage of their employer’s health flexible spending arrangement (FSA) during 2016.

The IRS and certain payroll service providers are partnering to test a new Verification Code that will help validate data on the Form W-2. The Verification Code, if present on the Form W-2, should be entered on the electronic return when prompted by the software.

Have you renewed your Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) for 2016? All current PTINs will expire Dec. 31, 2015.

WASHINGTON— The Internal Revenue Service today reminded non-credentialed tax return preparers of major upcoming changes regarding which tax return preparers can represent clients in matters before the IRS beginning in 2016, and take action by Dec. 31, 2015, to avoid being affected.

The IRS also announced that federal tax return preparers will soon pay less for a preparer tax identification number (PTIN).

Last year the IRS announced pending changes to limited practice authorities for non-credentialed tax return preparers. (Rev. Proc. 2014-42)

Effective for tax returns and claims for refunds prepared and signed after Dec. 31, 2015, the limited right to represent clients before the IRS held by non-credentialed preparers will be accorded to only those preparers participating in the IRS Annual Filing Season Program, a voluntary continuing education (CE) program.   The changes in the limited representation rules have no impact on returns prepared and signed by non-credentialed preparers on or before Dec. 31, 2015.

Non-credentialed tax return preparers who participate in the Annual Filing Season Program will continue to have limited rights to represent clients. This enables them to represent taxpayers whose returns they prepared and signed, but only before revenue agents, customer service representatives, and similar IRS employees, including the Taxpayer Advocate Service. The tax return preparer must participate in the Annual Filing Season Program for both the year of return preparation and the year of representation to represent their client.

There are no changes to representation rules for enrolled agents, certified public accountants, and attorneys. These tax professionals continue to have unlimited practice rights and can represent any taxpayer before any IRS office, including collection and appeals, regardless of whether they prepared the tax return in question.  

To participate in the Annual Filing Season Program, non-credentialed tax return preparers must complete either 15 or 18 hours of continuing education from IRS-approved CE providers. The CE must be completed by Dec. 31, 2015, in order to receive a 2016 Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion.

More information about Annual Filing Season Program requirements is available on IRS.gov.

PTIN Fee Revised

Effective Nov. 1, 2015, the annual fee for 2016 PTINs will be $50 for both new applications and renewals. The IRS will collect $33 as a user fee to support program costs and a third-party vendor will receive $17 to operate the online system and provide customer support.

In preparation for the fee change, PTIN open season, which normally begins in mid-October, will begin in early November. PTIN open season is when the IRS begins accepting renewals and new registrations for the upcoming year.

Federal agencies are required to review user fees every other year and make adjustments as appropriate. The current PTIN fee is $64.25 for a new registration and $63 for renewal.

More information about the updated user fee is available in TD 9742 and REG-121496-15.

Viewers can also download the PowerPoint presentation from the recent rebroadcast of the Payments to Independent Contractors webinar.

Related link:

• FS-2015-21, Payments to Independent Contractors

The Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Estimator can help employers determine if they’re eligible for the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit this year and how much credit they might receive.

The new IRS.gov Penalties at a Glance page has information taxpayers can use to learn about penalty relief and determine if they qualify for penalty abatement.

You may be tempted to forget all about your taxes once you’ve filed your tax return. But don’t give in to temptation. If you start your tax planning now, you may avoid a tax surprise when you file next year. Now is a good time to set up a system so you can keep your tax records safe and easy to find. Here are some IRS tips to help you get ready for next year’s taxes:

• Take action when life changes occur — Certain life events can change the amount of tax you pay. Some examples are a change in marital status or the birth of a child. When events happen, you may need to change the amount of tax withheld from your pay. To do that, file a new Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, with your employer. Use the IRS Withholding Calculator tool on IRS.gov to help you fill out the form.
• Report changes in circumstances to the Health Insurance Marketplace — If you bought 2015 insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace, you should report changes in circumstances to the Marketplace when they happen. Reporting changes in your income or family size will help you avoid getting too much or too little advance payment of the premium tax credit. Receiving too much or too little in advance can affect your refund, or you may owe tax when you file.
• Keep records safe — Put your 2014 tax return and supporting records in a safe place. If you ever need your tax return or records, it will be easy for you to get them. For example, you may need a copy of your tax return if you apply for a home loan or financial aid. You should use your tax return as a guide when you do your taxes next year.
• Stay organized — Make tax time easier. Have your family put tax records in the same place throughout the year. That way, you won’t have to search for misplaced records when you file next year.
• Shop for a tax preparer — If you want to hire a tax preparer to help you with tax planning, start your search now. Choose your tax preparer wisely. Use the Directory of Tax Return Preparers tool on IRS.gov to find tax preparers in your area with the credentials and qualifications that you prefer.
• Think about itemizing — If you claim a standard deduction on your tax return, you may be able to lower your taxes if you itemize deductions instead. A donation to charity could mean some tax savings. See the instructions for Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, for a list of deductions.
• Stay informed — Subscribe to IRS Tax Tips to get emails about tax law changes, how to save money and much more. You can also get Tax Tips on IRS.gov or IRS2Go, the IRS mobile app. You’ll receive tips each weekday in the tax filing season and three days a week in the summer. You will also get Special Edition Tax Tips at other times during the year.