Taxation on CrossGov.com

GAO Report on Tax Filing, IRS Should Enhance Ghost Preparer Identification and Compliance Efforts in a Comprehensive Preparer Strategy

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Government Accountability Office looked at the IRS efforts to identify ghost preparers. The GAO found that IRS efforts were fragmented because relevant data was scattered across several databases. The IRS lacked a strategy, goals, or ways to measure the success of its efforts.

Ghost Preparers Impact IRS

Ghost preparers are tax preparers who do not identify themselves on tax returns. These individuals may leave information off to file fraudulent returns, steal refunds, and steal identities. Courts ordered individual ghost preparers to pay millions in restitution. IRS officials believe the total effect of ghost preparers is likely greater because they are difficult to detect. IRS data systems lack connections and have limitations that limit their usefulness. This prevents the IRS from knowing how many ghost preparers it has identified or addressed.

Clergy Act Signed Into Law as Public Law 119-125

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The Clergy Act (H.R. 227) became law on October 20, 2026, as Public Law 119-125. Rep. Vince Fong (R-California) introduced it on January 7, 2025, with 21 cosponsors.

What the Law Does

This act establishes a two-year window for members of the clergy who have opted out of Social Security and Medicare taxes (and are thus ineligible for benefits under those programs) to opt back in.

Under current law, certain ministers, members of religious orders, and Christian Science practitioners who object to participation in public insurance programs on religious or conscientious grounds may apply to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for an exemption from Social Security and Medicare taxes on ministerial earnings. Individuals who are approved for the exemption do not receive Social Security or Medicare benefits in retirement unless they have qualifying credits from other employment. The exemption is irrevocable.

Trump Executive Order 14435 on Emergency Tax Relief on Diesel Fuel

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Executive Order 14435 orders the Secretary of the Treasury to defer certain diesel fuel tax payment obligations and provide penalty relief for farmers, truckers, and workers affected by rising prices due to global supply restrictions. The order aims to support these essential industries with immediate financial assistance, as stated in the preamble: ‘To that end, today I am directing the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to use his authority to defer certain diesel fuel tax payment obligations and to provide penalty relief to the extent permitted by law.’

CMS Proposes Annual Income and Citizenship Checks Before ACA Subsidies Starting With 2028 Plans

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

CMS proposed on October 23 that ACA marketplaces verify income, citizenship or lawful presence, other coverage and residence before paying any premium subsidy, starting with 2028 plans. The proposed rule, CMS-9873-P, carries out section 71303 of the July 2025 reconciliation law, Public Law 119-21. Its sharpest change hits people who renew. Enrollees who don’t come back each year to confirm their details would be re-enrolled automatically, but without financial help.

US Tax Take Stays at 25.6% of GDP as the OECD Average Hits a Record 34.1%, and Pillar Two Carves Out US Companies

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The United States collected 25.6% of its GDP in taxes in 2024, unchanged from 2023 and down from 28.0% in 2022. The average across OECD countries rose 0.3 percentage points to 34.1%, the highest on record, according to the OECD’s Revenue Statistics 2025, published in December. The US sits about 8.5 points below it.

The OECD ratio went up in 22 of 36 countries with data, fell in 13 and didn’t move in one. Denmark had the highest at 45.2%, Mexico the lowest at 18.3%.

Wind and Solar Tax Credits Pass Their July 4 Deadline With 200 GW Safe-Harbored After a Court Restored the 5% Test

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The 2025 reconciliation law, Public Law 119-21, gave wind and solar projects until July 4, 2026, to begin construction and keep the federal clean electricity tax credits. That deadline has passed. What’s left is a race to finish what got in under the wire.

The law changed the two credits that replaced the old production and investment credits from 2025: section 45Y, paid per kilowatt-hour, and section 48E, paid as a share of project cost. Wind and solar facilities keep them only if they began construction before July 5, 2026, or start producing power before January 1, 2028. Projects that missed the first date now face the second, with about fifteen months to go. Geothermal, nuclear, hydropower and battery storage keep full credits for construction that starts before the end of 2033, then phase down to zero after 2035.