Following the U.S. Senate’s approval last month of the Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, there’s growing interest in the tax community about this important piece of legislation that could still be enacted by Congress this year.

To help educate tax professionals about the potentially far-reaching provisions of the TAS Act, Frost Law will join the Accounting, Legal & Finance Institute (ALFi) for a special webinar at 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 14. The free, one-hour session is called “A Different Kind of Fresh Start: Collections and Penalties Under the TAS Act.”

The session is eligible for CPE and CE credit. Registration is available at ALFi.org.

The Senate unanimously passed the TAS Act Sept. 30 with bipartisan support, raising the prospect that the measure could be considered during a lame-duck session of Congress following the Nov. 3 election. The measure enjoyed bipartisan support in the Senate under the leadership of Senate Finance Chairman Mike Crapo, R-ID, and ranking member Sen. Ron Wyden, D-OR. Individual elements of the TAS Act have also drawn support from Republicans and Democrats in the House, including Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, R-MO.

The TAS Act centers on making common-sense changes to the tax law centered on enhancing taxpayer rights, reducing taxpayer burden as well as bolstering tax administration work inside the IRS and at the Tax Court.

The proposal has endorsements across the tax community from groups like the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the National Association of Enrolled Agents (NAEA), as well as Independent Sector, the Chamber of Commerce, and the National Taxpayers Union.

“It’s been years since we’ve seen this kind of breadth and depth of support for a piece of tax legislation,” said Glen Frost, Frost Law’s Founding Partner. “It’s a rare confluence spanning the tax and political landscape. Given the potential for Congress to consider this legislation later this year, it’s important for tax professionals to learn more about the TAS Act.”

Following up on an ALFi webinar last month focusing on the TAS Act’s taxpayer service elements, the free Oct. 14 session will feature Frost Law partners Rebecca Sheppard and Peter Haukebo, two attorneys who have worked extensively with the Internal Revenue Service and state tax agencies. Frost Law’s Terry Lemons, a long-time IRS communications and outreach executive, will moderate the event.

In this session, the group will explore key TAS Act provisions involving collections and penalty relief that could have significant implications for taxpayers and their tax professionals. Topics include these provisions in the proposed legislation:

  • Elimination of Installment Agreement fees for certain individuals.

  • Changes in Offers-in Compromise, including streamlined Chief Counsel review and new taxpayer protections to allow more appeals of rejected offers.

  • New IRS notice requirements notifying taxpayers about balances owed and collection alternatives.

  • New standards for refund offset bypass for those with economic hardship.

ALFi will also conduct a Nov. 17 webinar at 3 p.m. ET reviewing other elements for the TAS Act. Registration is free for “Independence Day: Appeals, Refund Claims, and the Taxpayer Advocate Under the TAS Act.”

About Frost Law: Frost Law, headquartered in metropolitan Washington, D.C., works with clients across the nation and around the world. Currently, more than 80 Frost employees include skilled attorneys focusing on tax, business, litigation, bankruptcy, and estates as well as Certified Public Accountants, Certified Financial Planners™, Enrolled Agents and other tax professionals. Frost’s team can help people and businesses on issues including tax planning, tax strategy, tax minimization as well as assisting businesses with tariff refunds and Small Business Administration EIDL loan problems. Contact our team today at (410) 538-1687 or schedule a confidential consultation.

Media gallery

About The Author
Business Wire