Trusted Professional

Regulatory Roundup - Jan. 12-19

AICPA

Press Release

New Non-Authoritative AICPA Guidance Provides Clarity for Practitioners Performing Third-Party Assessment Engagements

Guidance Provides Clarity for Practitioners Performing Third-Party Assessment Engagements.

January 12, 2021

 

CBO

Report

Expired and Expiring Authorizations of Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2021—Information for Legislation Enacted Through December 23, 2020

January 15, 2021

CBO reports annually on programs whose authorizations of appropriations have already expired or will expire. CBO released information about legislation enacted through December 23, 2020. The full report will be issued in coming months.

Presentation

Navy Shipbuilding: Prospects for Building a Larger Fleet

January 15, 2021

Presentation by Eric J. Labs, an analyst in CBO’s National Security Division, at the Surface Navy Association’s 33rd Annual Symposium.

Cost Estimate

H.R. 133, Estimate for Division N—Additional Coronavirus Response and Relief Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Public Law 116-260

January 14, 2021

As enacted on December 27, 2020

Cost Estimate

H.R. 133, Estimate for Divisions O Through FF Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Public Law 116-260

January 14, 2021

As enacted on December 27, 2020

Cost Estimate

H.R. 133, Summary Estimate for Divisions M Through FF Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 Public Law 116-260

January 14, 2021

As enacted on December 27, 2020

Report

Costs of Implementing Recommendations of the 2019 Missile Defense Review

January 13, 2021

CBO estimated the costs of the recommendations of the 2019 Missile Defense Review, including early initiatives implemented before the report was released and expansions of missile defenses that could result from report’s directives.

Report

Final Sequestration Report for Fiscal Year 2021

January 13, 2021

As required by law, CBO reports on whether appropriations enacted for the current fiscal year have exceeded the statutory caps on discretionary funding. In CBO’s estimation, they have not, and a sequestration will not be required for 2021.

GAO

 

Environmental Liabilities:

NASA's Reported Financial Liabilities Have Grown, and Several Factors Contribute to Future Uncertainties

GAO-21-205: Published: Jan 15, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 15, 2021.

Farmworkers:

Additional Information Needed to Better Protect Workers from Pesticide Exposure

GAO-21-63: Published: Jan 15, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 15, 2021

Columbia Class Submarine:

Delivery Hinges on Timely and Quality Materials from an Atrophied Supplier Base

GAO-21-257: Published: Jan 14, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2021.

Department of Defense:

Actions Needed to Improve Accounting of Intradepartmental Transactions

GAO-21-84: Published: Jan 14, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2021.

Medicaid:

Data Completeness and Accuracy Have Improved, Though Not All Standards Have Been Met

GAO-21-196: Published: Jan 14, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2021.

Prescription Drugs:

Department of Veterans Affairs Paid About Half as Much as Medicare Part D for Selected Drugs in 2017

GAO-21-111: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2021.

Tax Administration:

Better Coordination Could Improve IRS's Use of Third-Party Information Reporting to Help Reduce the Tax Gap

GAO-21-102: Published: Dec 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Jan 14, 2021.

Department of Energy Contracting:

Improvements Needed to Ensure DOE Assesses Its Full Range of Contracting Fraud Risks

GAO-21-44: Published: Jan 13, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 13, 2021.

Nuclear Waste:

Congressional Action Needed to Clarify a Disposal Option at West Valley Site in New York

GAO-21-115: Published: Jan 13, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 13, 2021.

DHS Employee Morale:

Some Improvements Made, but Additional Actions Needed to Strengthen Employee Engagement

GAO-21-204: Published: Jan 12, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 12, 2021.

DOD Critical Technologies:

Plans for Communicating, Assessing, and Overseeing Protection Efforts Should Be Completed

GAO-21-158: Published: Jan 12, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 12, 2021.

 

IASB

19 January 2021

December 2020 Accounting Standards Advisory Forum meeting summary available

18 January 2021

Webinar: Explaining Discussion Paper Business Combinations under Common Control

15 January 2021

January 2021 IASB meeting papers and agenda now available

14 January 2021

February 2021 SME Implementation Group meeting papers available

13 January 2021

IFRS Foundation publishes educational material to support companies in applying going concern requirements

13 January 2021

IFRS Foundation Trustees announce appointment of Xianzhong Li to the IFRS Advisory Council

12 January 2021

Webinars: how can academics inform post-implementation reviews of IFRS 9, IFRS 15 and IFRS 16?

IRS

2021 tax filing season begins Feb. 12; IRS outlines steps to speed refunds during pandemic

IR-2021-16, January 15, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service announced that the nation's tax season will start on Friday, February 12, 2021, when the tax agency will begin accepting and processing 2020 tax year returns.

IRS Free File available today; claim Recovery Rebate Credit and other tax credits

IR-2021-15, January 15, 2021 — IRS Free File – online tax preparation products available at no charge – launched today, giving taxpayers an early opportunity to claim credits like the Recovery Rebate Credit and other deductions, the Internal Revenue Service announced.

Businesses have Feb. 1 deadline to provide Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC to recipients

IR-2021-14, January 14, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded businesses and other payors that the revised Form 1099-MISC, Miscellaneous Income, and the new Form 1099-NEC, Nonemployee Compensation, must be furnished to most recipients by February 1, 2021.

IRS reminds taxpayers to make final estimated tax payment for 2020

IR-2021-13, January 14, 2021 — Taxpayers who paid too little tax during 2020 can still avoid a tax-time bill and possible penalties by making a quarterly estimated tax payment now, directly to the Internal Revenue Service.

IRS selects new IRSAC members for 2021

IR-2021-12, January 13, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the appointment of 13 new members to the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council.

National Taxpayer Advocate delivers Annual Report to Congress; focuses on taxpayer impact of COVID-19 and IRS funding needs

IR-2021-11, January 13, 2021 — National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins today released her 2020 Annual Report to Congress, focusing on the unprecedented challenges taxpayers faced in filing their tax returns and receiving refunds and stimulus payments during a year consumed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

IRS ready for the upcoming tax season; last-minute changes to tax laws included in IRS forms and instructions

IR-2021-10, January 12, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today assured taxpayers and tax professionals that updates to key federal tax forms and instructions are complete and will be available when Americans begin filing their tax returns.

All taxpayers now eligible for Identity Protection PINs

IR-2021-09, January 12, 2021 — The Internal Revenue Service today expanded the Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program to all taxpayers who can verify their identities.

IRS seeks applications for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee through March 1

IR-2021-08, January 11, 2021— The Internal Revenue Service is seeking qualified applicants for nomination to the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee.

 

NYC

Department of Finance Publishes Fiscal Year 2022 Tentative Property Tax Assessment Roll.
January 15, 2021

NYS

DFS Calls on Insurers to Assist in New York State’s COVID-19 Vaccine Administration Efforts
January 15, 2021

ICYMI: Superintendent Linda A. Lacewell's Op-Ed in Law360: 6 Ways Financial Regulators Should Prioritize Climate Risk
January 15, 2021​

SEC

What's Happening from Start-Up to Small Cap: SEC's Small Business Advocate to Host Capital Call Feb. 4

2021-9, Jan. 15, 2021 — The Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation will host its second annual Capital Call on Feb. 4, 2020, at 1 p.m. ET, where the office will talk about what’s happening with capital raising from startup to small cap. The Capital Call is styled after public companies' earnings release calls and will include discussion and an opportunity to ask questions about the office's recent Annual Report to Congress and the Commission. During the virtual event, office staff members will discuss what has been happening with capital raising across the country, including a spotlight on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the unique challenges faced by underrepresented businesses, the office's work in supporting small businesses and their investors, and the policy recommendations the office has developed in response.

Fee Rate Advisory #2 for Fiscal Year 2021
2021-8., Jan. 15, 2021 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that starting on February 25, 2021, the fee rates applicable to most securities transactions will be set at $5.10 per million dollars.

SEC Awards Nearly $600,000 to Whistleblower

2021-7, Jan. 14, 2021 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced an award of nearly $600,000 to a whistleblower whose tip led to the success of an enforcement action.  The whistleblower substantially contributed to an open investigation by providing detailed and highly valuable information resulting in critical investigative leads.

Sagar Teotia to Conclude Tenure as SEC Chief Accountant
2021-6, Jan. 13, 2021 —The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Sagar Teotia, the Commission’s Chief Accountant, intends to leave the agency by the end of February after nearly six years of total public service.

Acting Enforcement Director Marc P. Berger to Depart the Commission
2021-5, Jan. 12, 2021 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that Marc P. Berger, Acting Director of the Division of Enforcement, will conclude his tenure at the agency this month. Mr. Berger joined the Commission as Director of the New York Regional Office in December 2017 and was named Deputy Director of the Division of Enforcement in August 2020

SEC Charges Real Estate Fund Manager With Misappropriating Over $7 Million From Retail Investors

2021-4, Jan. 12, 2021 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged fund manager Eric C. Malley and his company MG Capital Management L.P. with defrauding retail investors in two real estate funds managed by MG Capital.

PCAOB

 

Board Member J. Robert Brown, Jr. to Leave the PCAOB

Washington, Jan. 12, 2021

 

TIGTA

Processes Exist to Assist Taxpayers With Misdirected Refunds, but Additional Controls Could Further Help to Prevent Them
January 13, 2021

Millions of Dollars in Potentially Erroneous Qualified Business Income Deductions Are Not Being Verified
January 13, 2021​