AICPA 

Press Release
AICPA Financial Reporting Executive Committee Taps BDO’s Angela Newell as Chair
The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has named Angela Newell, CPA, CGMA chairman of the Financial Reporting Executive Committee (FinREC).
March 14, 2019

CBO

Report
Expired and Expiring Authorizations of Appropriations: Fiscal Year 2019
March 14, 2019
CBO reports annually to the Congress on programs funded for the current fiscal year whose authorizations of appropriations have expired and on programs whose authorizations will expire during the current fiscal year.

Working Paper
The Effect of Government Debt on Interest Rates: Working Paper 2019-01
March 14, 2019
On average over the long term, each increase of 1 percentage point in federal debt as a percentage of GDP boosts interest rates by 2 to 3 basis points, CBO estimates.

Cost Estimate
H.R. 739, Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2019
March 13, 2019
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on March 7, 2019

Cost Estimate
H.R. 639, a bill to amend section 327 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to clarify that National Urban Search and Rescue Response System task forces may include Federal employees
March 12, 2019
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on February 27, 2019

Cost Estimate
H. Con. Res. 16, a concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the National Peace Officers Memorial Service and the National Honor Guard and Pipe Band Exhibition
March 12, 2019
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on February 27, 2019

Cost Estimate
H. Con. Res. 19, a concurrent resolution authorizing the use of the Capitol Grounds for the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby
March 12, 2019
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on February 27, 2019

Cost Estimate
H.R. 7, Paycheck Fairness Act
March 12, 2019
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Education and Labor on February 26, 2019

Cost Estimate
S. 256, Esther Martinez Native American Languages Programs Reauthorization Act
March 11, 2019
As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on February 6, 2019

Cost Estimate
H.R. 596, Crimea Annexation Non-recognition Act
March 11, 2019
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on March 7, 2019

Cost Estimate
H.R. 8, Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019
March 11, 2019
As passed by the House of Representatives on February 27, 201

​Cost Estimate
H.R. 1318, a bill to direct the Librarian of Congress to obtain a stained glass panel depicting the seal of the District of Columbia and install the panel among the stained glass panels depicting the seals of States which overlook the Main Reading Room...
March 8, 2019
As ordered reported by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on February 27, 2019

Cost Estimate
S. 387, Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019
March 8, 2019
As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on February 13, 201

Cost Estimat
S. 51, Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians Restoration Act of 201
March 8, 2019
As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on January 29, 2019

Cost Estimate
S. 195, Access to Congressionally Mandated Reports Act
March 8, 2019
As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on February 13, 2019

FASB

FASB Names New Members to Its Small Business Advisory Committee  [03/14/19]
Media Advisory

Not-for-Profit Advisory Committee  [03/12/19]
March 4-5, 2019 Meeting Recap

SEC Accepts 2019 GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy and SEC Reporting Taxonomy  [03/12/19]
News Release

GAO

Federal Ethics Programs:
Government-wide Political Appointee Data and Some Ethics Oversight Procedures at Interior and SBA Could Be Improved
GAO-19-249: Published: Mar 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 15, 2019.

Defense Business Operations:
DOD Should Take Steps to Fully Institutionalize the Chief Management Officer Position
GAO-19-199: Published: Mar 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2019.

Defense Space Systems:
DOD Should Collect and Maintain Data on Its Space Acquisition Workforce
GAO-19-240: Published: Mar 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2019.

Defense Strategy:
Revised Analytic Approach Needed to Support Force Structure Decision-Making
GAO-19-385: Published: Mar 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2019.

Grants Management:
Agency Action Required to Ensure Grantees Identify Federal Contribution Amounts
GAO-19-282: Published: Mar 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2019.

Huracanes de Puerto Rico:
Estado de Financiamiento de FEMA, Supervisión y Desafíos de Recuperación
GAO-19-331: Published: Mar 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2019.

Puerto Rico Hurricanes:
Status of FEMA Funding, Oversight, and Recovery Challenges
GAO-19-256: Published: Mar 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2019.

Transit Workforce Development:
Improved Strategic Planning Practices Could Enhance FTA Efforts
GAO-19-290: Published: Mar 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2019.

U.S. Ports of Entry:
Update on CBP Public-Private Partnership Programs
GAO-19-263R: Published: Mar 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2019.

U.S. Postal Service:
Addressing Policy Gaps Could Improve Pilot Design and Evaluation for Postal Innovations
GAO-19-293: Published: Mar 14, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 14, 2019.

Cybersecurity Workforce:
Agencies Need to Accurately Categorize Positions to Effectively Identify Critical Staffing Needs
GAO-19-144: Published: Mar 12, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 2019.

Department of Energy Contracting:
Actions Needed to Strengthen Subcontract Oversight
GAO-19-107: Published: Mar 12, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 2019.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease:
USDA's Efforts to Prepare for a Potential Outbreak Could Be Strengthened
GAO-19-103: Published: Mar 12, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 2019.

High Risk:
Progress Made but Continued Attention Needed to Address Management Weaknesses at Federal Agencies Serving Indian Tribes
GAO-19-445T: Published: Mar 12, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 2019.

Small Business Administration:
Export Promotion Grant Program Should Better Ensure Compliance with Law and Help States Make Full Use of Funds
GAO-19-444T: Published: Mar 12, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 2019.

Small Business Administration:
Export Promotion Grant Program Should Better Ensure Compliance with Law and Help States Make Full Use of Funds
GAO-19-276: Published: Mar 12, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 12, 2019.

Financial Technology:
Agencies Should Provide Clarification on Lenders' Use of Alternative Data [Reissued with revisions on Mar. 12, 2019.]
GAO-19-111: Published: Dec 19, 2018. Publicly Released: Dec 19, 2018.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease:

Action Needed to Guide Implementation of Build America Bureau and Improve Application Process

IASB

18 March 2019
Accounting Standards Advisory Forum meeting agenda papers available

15 March 2019
March IASB Update published

15 March 2019
March 2019 IFRIC Update published

15 March 2019
IFRS 17 podcast on March IASB meeting now available

12 March 2019
Join the Foundation: IASB Technical Staff—Hedge Accounting Expert

12 March 2019
Emerging Economies Group meeting papers available

12 March 2019
Tadeu Cendon and Rika Suzuki appointed to the International Accounting Standards Board

IRS 

IRS warns of new phone scam using Taxpayer Advocate Service numbers
IR-2019-44, March 15, 2019 — The IRS today warned the public about a new twist on the IRS impersonation phone scam whereby criminals fake calls from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), an independent organization within the IRS.

Failure to report offshore funds remains a crime; IRS includes topic on its 2019 "Dirty Dozen" scams list
IR-2019-43, March 15, 23019 — Hiding money or assets in unreported offshore accounts remains on the IRS's “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for 2019, the agency said today.

Avoid improper claims for business credits; topic makes this year’s IRS “Dirty Dozen” list
IR-2019-42, March 14, 2019 — The IRS today warned taxpayers to avoid improperly claiming various business tax credits, a common scam used by unscrupulous tax preparers.

Tax Time Guide: Protect personal, financial and tax information
IR-2019 -41, March 14, 2019 — The IRS today urged taxpayers to protect the security of their personal, financial and tax information.

Free File is growing: More people are filing their return for free
IR-2019-40, March 13, 2019 — More people are using the improved IRS Free File option to prepare and electronically file their returns for free, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

IRS cautions taxpayers on scams involving disasters, charitable causes — 2019 "Dirty Dozen" list continues
IR-2019-39, March 13, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service today encouraged taxpayers to be alert to scam groups masquerading as charitable organizations.

IRS: Refunds of $1.4 billion waiting to be claimed by individuals who have not filed federal income tax returns for 2015
IR-2019-38, March 13, 2019 ― Unclaimed income tax refunds totaling almost $1.4 billion may be waiting for an estimated 1.2 million taxpayers who did not file a 2015 Form 1040 federal income tax return, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

Tax Time Guide: IRS urges taxpayers to check their tax withholding early in 2019; Paycheck Checkup can avoid problems next year
IR-2019-37, March 12, 2109 – The Internal Revenue Service today renewed its effort to encourage taxpayers to review their tax withholding using the IRS Withholding Calculator and make any needed adjustments early in 2019.

IRS’ 2019 "Dirty Dozen" tax scams list highlights inflating deductions, credits
IR-2019-36, March 12, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to avoid falsely inflating deductions or credits on tax returns as part of its 2019 list of the “Dirty Dozen” tax scams.

Schemes involving falsifying income, creating bogus documents make IRS’ "Dirty Dozen" list for 2019
​IR-2019-35, March 11, 2019 — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to avoid schemes involving falsifying income, including the creation of bogus Forms 1099. Con artists commonly use this trick as well as related scams designed to get taxpayers to erroneously claim tax credits they aren’t entitled to.

NYS Dept. of Taxation and Finance

Call Center Hours Extended to Help Sales Tax Filers and Congestion Surcharge Filers Meet March 20 Deadline
Friday, March 15, 2019​

File Your Tax Return Even if You Can’t Pay What You Owe Now
Tuesday, March 12, 2019​

SEC

SEC Charges Registered Investment Adviser and Former Chief Operating Officer With Defrauding Client
Washington D.C., March 15, 2019 — The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Talimco LLC, a registered investment adviser, and Grant Gardner Rogers, the former chief operating officer of the firm, with manipulating the auction of a commercial real estate asset on behalf of one client for the benefit of another. 

SEC Staff to Hold Fintech Forum to Discuss Distributed Ledger Technology and Digital Assets
Washington D.C., March 15, 2019 —The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that its staff will host a public forum focusing on distributed ledger technology (DLT) and digital assets on May 31, 2019. The forum is being organized by the agency’s Strategic Hub for Innovation and Financial Technology (FinHub) and was announced in connection with the launch of FinHub last year. FinHub is committed to active engagement with market participants on new financial technologies.  The forum is the second such forum to be hosted by the agency, will feature panelists from industry and academia, and is designed to foster greater communication and understanding around issues involving DLT and digital assets.  Panelists will explore such topics as initial coin offerings, digital asset platforms, DLT innovations, and how these technologies impact investors and the markets.  

SEC Charges Volkswagen, Former CEO With Defrauding Bond Investors During "Clean Diesel" Emissions Fraud
Washington D.C., March 14, 2019 —The Securities and Exchange Commission today charged Volkswagen AG, two of its subsidiaries, and its former CEO, Martin Winterkorn, for defrauding U.S. investors, raising billions of dollars through the corporate bond and fixed income markets while making a series of deceptive claims about the environmental impact of the company's "clean diesel" fleet.

Wedbush Settles Failure to Supervise Charge
Washington D.C., March 13, 2019 —The Securities and Exchange Commission announced today that Wedbush Securities Inc. will pay a $250,000 penalty and has agreed to be censured to settle its failure to supervise charge in a pending administrative proceeding.

SEC Announces March 28 Meeting of Investor Advisory Committee
Washington D.C., March 12, 2019 —The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced the agenda for the March 28 meeting of its Investor Advisory Committee. The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. ET in the Multipurpose Room at SEC headquarters at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. and is open to the public.  The meeting will be webcast live and archived on the committee’s website for later viewing.
​
Fee Rate Advisory #2 for Fiscal Year 2019
Washington D.C., March 12, 2019 —The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced that starting on April 16, 2019, the fee rates applicable to most securities transactions will be set at $20.70 per million dollars.

SEC Charges Lumber Liquidators With Fraud
Washington D.C., March 12, 2019 —The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced charges against Lumber Liquidators Holdings Inc. for making fraudulent misstatements to investors.  The charges stem from Lumber Liquidators’ false public statements in response to media allegations that the company was selling laminate flooring that contained levels of formaldehyde exceeding regulatory standards.  Lumber Liquidators agreed to pay more than $6 million to settle the SEC action.

SEC Share Class Initiative Returning More Than $125 Million to Investors
​Reflecting SEC’s Commitment to Retail Investors, 79 Investment Advisers Who Self-Reported Advisers Act Violations Agree to Compensate Investors Promptly, Ensure Adequate Fee Disclosures
Washington D.C., March 11, 2019 —The Securities and Exchange Commission today announced settled charges against 79 investment advisers who will return more than $125 million to clients, with a substantial majority of the funds going to retail investors.  The actions stem from the SEC’s Share Class Selection Disclosure Initiative, which the SEC’s Division of Enforcement announced in February 2018 in an effort to identify and promptly correct ongoing harm in the sale of mutual fund shares by investment advisers.  

TIGTA

Millions of Dollars in Potentially Erroneous Excess Social Security Tax Credit Claims Are Not Addressed
March 15, 2019