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IRS Grants Additional Extensions and Suspends Collection Activity

Client Alert

More Extensions Granted for Filing Returns

In addition to those previously announced, the IRS has granted extensions for filing of the following returns and payments of amounts due for any of the returns listed below due after April 1, 2020 and before July 15, 2020:

  • Form 706 - Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax;
  • Form 8971 – Information Regarding Beneficiaries Acquiring Property form a Decedent;
  • Form 709 – United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax;
  • Any Estate Tax payment due as a result of an election under sections 6166, 6161, and 6163;
  • Form 990-T – Exempt Organization Business Income Tax;
  • Form 990-PF – Return of Private Foundation or Section 4947 Trust;
  • Form 4720 – Return of Certain Excise Taxes; and
  • All estimated payments made on Form 990-W; 1040-ES, 1041-ES, 1120-W.

(This is a change from the extension of only the first quarter estimate to include the June 15, 2020, estimate).

Collection Actions

The IRS is suspending most collection actions between April 1, 2020 and July 15, 2020.  The specific actions are outlined below:

  • Installment Agreements
    • Those which are currently in place will have all payments suspended between April 1 and July 15. However, if you are paying by automatic debit, you must contact your bank to suspend the payment.  If you do so, please remember to contact your bank to have payments resume in July.
    • New installment agreements may be submitted on the IRS website for those eligible to automatically be qualified for an installment arrangement. All others will not currently be processed.
  • Offers in Compromise
    • Those with pending OICs will have until July 15 to provide any requested information. No request will be closed before July 15 unless the taxpayer has requested the closure;
    • All payments under current OICs may suspend payments until July 15. Be advised that interest continues to accrue during this period;
    • Any current OIC will not be defaulted for failure to file their 2018 return provided they file the return on or before July 15; and
    • New OIC applications may be filed but will not be worked. As a practical matter, these applications should not be prepared or submitted until closer to the July 15 date in order to avoid having to provide updated information.
  • Liens, Levies, and Passport Certifications
    • Automated liens and levies will be suspended during this period;
    • Liens and Levies initiated by field revenue officers will be suspended;
    • High income non-filers will continue to have collection actions during this period; and
    • New certifications to the Department of State for passport holds will be suspended during the period.
  • Private Debt Collection has not been suspended. However, from a practical standpoint there may not be much if any activity from private debt collectors.
  • Audits and Appeals
    • All in-person meetings have been suspended, but examiners will continue to work on matters remotely. Taxpayers are encouraged to respond to any correspondence they receive if they are able.
    • New audits (including correspondence audits) will not be started UNLESS the IRS deems it necessary to protect the government’s interest.
    • Appeals officers will continue to work cases. Conferences will be held by telephone or videoconference.

For questions, or more information, please contact BMD Tax Member, Priscilla Grant at pag@bmdllc.com or 330.253.5934.


“In for a Penny, in for a Pound” is No Longer the Case for Florida Lawyers

On April 1, 2024, newly adopted Rule 1.041 to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedures goes into effect which creates a procedure for an attorney to appear in a limited manner in civil proceedings.  Currently, when a Florida attorney appears in a civil proceeding, he or she is reasonable for handling all aspects of the case for their client.  This new rule authorizes an attorney to file a notice limiting the attorney’s appearance to particular proceedings or specified matters prior to any appearance before the court.  For example, an attorney can now appear for the limited purpose of filing and arguing a motion to dismiss.  Once the motion to dismiss is heard by the court, the attorney may file a notice of termination of limited appearance and will have no further obligations in the case.

Enhancing Privacy Protections for Substance Use Disorder Patient Records

On February 8, 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) finalized updated rules to 42 CFR Part 2 (“Part 2”) for the protection of Substance Use Disorder (“SUD”) patient records. The updated rules reflect the requirement that the Part 2 rules be more closely aligned with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (“HIPAA”) privacy, breach notification, and enforcement rules as mandated by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act of 2020.

Columbus, Ohio Ordinance Prohibits Employers from Inquiries into an Applicant’s Salary History

Effective March 1, 2024, Columbus employers are prohibited from inquiring into an applicant’s salary history. Specifically, the ordinance provides that it is an unlawful discriminatory practice to:

The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board’s Latest Batch of Rules: What Providers Should Know

The Ohio Chemical Dependency Professionals Board has introduced new rules and amendments, covering various aspects such as CDCA certificate requirements, expanded services for LCDCs and CDCAs, remote supervision, and reciprocity application requirements. Notable changes include revised criteria for obtaining a CDCA certification, expanded services for LCDCs and CDCAs, and updated ethical obligations for licensees and certificate holders, including non-discrimination, confidentiality, and anti-sexual harassment measures.

Governor Mike DeWine and The Ohio State University Introduce the SOAR Study on Ohio Mental Illness

On January 19, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and The Ohio State University announced a new research initiative, the State of Ohio Adversity and Resilience (“SOAR”) study, which will investigate all factors influencing Ohio’s mental illness and addiction epidemic.