AICPA Expresses Support for Bipartisan, Bicameral Letter to IRS Requesting Clarification on Notice Suspensions

The American Institute of CPAs is expressing its support for a recent letter sent by Members of the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner Charles Rettig requesting clarification on notice suspensions.

The bipartisan, bicameral letter was signed by a group of 100 lawmakers, led by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Reps. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Brian Higgins (D-NY).

“We remain concerned that the IRS does not have a comprehensive plan to remedy the numerous problems affecting taxpayers, despite the fact that this filing season is already well underway. For example, there is continued confusion about which notices may be unilaterally suspended by the IRS, beyond the notices the IRS has already suspended, among other issues,” says the letter.

The Members of Congress are seeking clarification on which notices remain unsuspended and why; whether the IRS is working to suspend additional notices and when; why the IRS has not suspended notice CP2000, Notice of Underreported Income; whether the IRS is contemplating delaying implementation of schedule K-2/K-3’s; and if the IRS has determined it can provide penalty relief for taxpayers offered in the 2020 and 2021 tax years.

“Since the beginning of tax season, the AICPA, Members of Congress, and various organizations representing taxpayers and practitioners have urged the IRS to take significant and meaningful steps to mitigate the anticipated challenges of this tax season. The AICPA is grateful to Congress for their persistent efforts to get taxpayers essential relief as we approach the April 18th filing deadline,” said AICPA President & CEO, Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA.

“The AICPA stands in support of the letter to Commissioner Rettig urging him to respond to questions and concerns and offer clarification on notice suspensions. The tax season is well under way, and we hope the IRS will heed the widespread calls for meaningful relief and take the necessary steps to ease taxpayers’ burden and frustration.”