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Would
Meet the Silver Fox Accountant Who Stole the Spotlight at the Golden Globes [Hollywood Reporter]
KPMG number cruncher Filippo Puglisi-Alibrandi looked right at home among the movie stars. Quipped one attendee, “I never knew accountants could be so hot. It’s like a younger Richard Gere and he can do your taxes.”
Tax
IRS Advisory Council report defends workers, criticizes budget and staff cuts [Journal of Accountancy]
The IRS Advisory Council’s (IRSAC’s) annual report included a strong defense of the agency and its employees and criticism of budget and staff cuts amidst passage of a massive bill with more than 100 tax law changes. “After an extraordinarily difficult year with a host of personnel reductions, budget rescissions, projects placed on hold, and changing leadership, most of the IRS employees who remain perform their jobs diligently and comply with their own personal tax responsibilities,” the report said. “IRS employees do difficult and often thankless work, and they deserve a voice that will stand up for them and remind the public and lawmakers of the important role they serve in funding our nation.”
New law provisions ahead of tax filing season; IRS could face funding cuts [DC News Now]
On Monday, the House passed a package of bills that includes a 9% cut to the IRS from its current spending level and reduces enforcement spending by $439 million. “The extra money for extra auditors and more sophisticated auditors would have allowed us to go after money, from large corporations, from high-wealth individuals,” said Rep. Glenn Ivey. “But it’s pretty clear historically that for I think it’s for every dollar you put into to pursue those kinds of tax, returns, you get nine back. So it’s a great return on investment for the taxpayers. And there’s no reason that working class Americans should have to pay to carry the weight of the other folks.”
BARCODE Efficiency Act Brings Overdue Modernization to the IRS [Americans for Tax Reform]
As the 2026 tax filing season approaches, millions of Americans, especially those who file on paper, will confront an IRS plagued by immense backlog, slow processing, and refund delays. The Barcode Automation for Revenue Collection to Organize Disbursement and Enhance (BARCODE) Efficiency Act (H.R. 6956) offers relief to a serious problem taxpayers have endured for far too long. Introduced by Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.) and Rep. Greg Schneider (D-Ill.), the BARCODE Efficiency Act focuses on a simple principle: filing on paper should not mean being saddled with slower service.
Voluntary Compliance and Self-Assessed Tax: Clarifying “Collected Proceeds” in Whistleblower Award Determinations [Current Federal Tax Developments]
The United States Tax Court, in its recent memorandum opinion Whistleblower 11099-13W v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2026-5, addressed a pivotal question for tax professionals regarding the definition of “collected proceeds” under Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) § 7623(b). The case centers on whether a whistleblower is entitled to an award when a taxpayer, allegedly prompted by an IRS investigation, voluntarily changes its accounting method and self-reports additional tax on original returns.
Florida governor candidate proposes ‘sin tax’ on OnlyFans creators [Fox35 Orlando]
“Women used to aspire to be doctors, nurses, journalists, and now they feel the only way they can get by is by selling their bodies to men in distant lands and I’m running to stop that,” Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate James Fishback said.
Well That Was Just Dumb
Former Utah IRS employee sentenced to prison for $2M fraud attempt [KJZZ]
Officials said Rodney Quinn Rupe, 47, moved over $2 million from ExxonMobil’s taxpayer account to the taxpayer account of a company he created, called Ex XO Exteriors Ltd. In his plea, he admitted to transferring the tax credits using interstate wires. “On September 18, 2023, Rupe transferred the tax credits so they would be applied to the 2019 tax year account for his company, knowing it would result in a refund check to Ex XO Exteriors Ltd.,” officials claimed.
Licensure
Governor Murphy Signs Bill Providing an Additional Pathway to CPA Licensure [NJCPA]
A bill to expand the options available for CPA licensure in New Jersey was signed on Jan. 12 by Governor Murphy. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) worked with bill sponsors Assemblyman Sterley S. Stanley (D-18) and Senator Anthony Bucco (R-25) on this vital legislation that goes into effect Feb. 11, 2026.
Canada’s seven largest accounting firms to sign employees up with CPA Canada [The Globe and Mail]
Canada’s seven largest accounting firms will sign up their employees to join the national umbrella organization under a new membership model this spring. The move comes as individual accountants will be able to sign up directly with the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada, or CPA Canada, as of April 1. In the past, they had to register through a provincial regulator. It’s a major shift for the accounting industry, which represents more than 220,000 CPAs.
Practice Perspective
The Autistic Accountant [CPA Journal]
Landi Morris, PhD, CPA talks about her experience as a late-diagnosed professional in a world built by and for neurotypicals
In many ways, the profession actually allowed me to thrive as an autistic individual. I enjoyed a career in public accounting working as a tax manager on nonprofit clients for a large public accounting firm. I was also fortunate to work with incredible neurotypical colleagues who gave me significant autonomy over my work, allowing me to perform my job at times and in ways that worked best for me. That said, many aspects of a career in public accounting were not conducive to my needs. My office’s open floorplan meant that sights and sounds spread like wildfire, which I found highly distressing. My phone conversations could be heard by my colleagues; for my high-masking self, this was terrifying. My performance as a neurotypical accountant was open to judgment!
Firm Watch
Cherry Bekaert acquires CPA outsourcing firm [Business North Carolina]
Raleigh-based accounting and advisory firm Cherry Bekaert acquired Tarsus, a 175-member firm that offers outsourced accounting, bookkeeping, strategic CFO services and data management. The acquisition took effect Dec. 31. Terms were not disclosed. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Tarsus has additional offices in California, Missouri, and Bangalore, India.
Ohio accounting firm under scrutiny over First Brands audit work [Financial Times]
Bober Markey Fedorovich, a small, two-office firm, is named in a court filing as having produced audit reports for two special purpose vehicles used by First Brands before its collapse in September, which shook US credit markets.
Accounting Firms RSM Signs Full-Floor Office Lease in Philadelphia [ConnectCRE]
RSM US LLP signed a long-term lease to occupy the entire 21st floor spanning 22,340 square feet. The firm is relocating its Philadelphia headquarters from 30 South 17th Street.
