The IRS began its "Dirty Dozen" list for 2022, which includes potentially abusive arrangements that taxpayers should avoid. The tax scams in this series focus on four transactions that are wrongfully promoted and will likely attract additional agency compliance efforts in the future. Those four abusive transactions involve charitable remainder annuity trusts, Maltese individual retirement arrangements, foreign captive insurance and monetized installment sales. These are the first four entries in this year's Dirty Dozen series.

The National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA), Erin M. Collins, has released her 2021 Annual Report to Congress. The NTA called the calendar year 2021 the most challenging year taxpayers and tax professionals have ever experienced. The report states that tens of millions of taxpayers experienced delays in the processing of their returns, and with 77 percent of individual taxpayers receiving refunds.

The IRS has reminded taxpayers of reporting and potential tax obligations from working in the gig economy, making virtual currency transactions, earning foreign-source income, or holding certain foreign assets. The information available on IRS.gov and instructions on Form 1040 can help taxpayers in understanding and meeting these requirements. Generally, income earned from the gig economy is taxable and must be reported to the IRS. The gig economy is the activity where people earn income providing on-demand work, services or goods.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury issued the final rule implementing the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) Program. The program, created as part of the American Rescue Plan, provides $350 billion to state, local, and tribal governments to support their response to the COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring they have resources to provide for health and vaccine services, funding to support families and business who might be struggling with the economic impacts of the pandemic, and maintaining vital public services.

The IRS has reminded taxpayers to take extra precautions to file accurate tax returns electronically to speed refunds as the agency begins the 2022 tax filing season. The IRS is now accepting and processing 2021 tax returns. Over 160 million individual tax returns for the 2021 tax year are expected to be filed. Most taxpayers face an April 18, 2022, deadline due to the Emancipation Day holiday in Washington, D.C. falling on April 15. Taxpayers in Maine and Massachusetts will have an April 19 deadline due to Patriots Day. Disaster victims in some locations will have later filing deadlines. As several critical tax law changes took place in 2021, IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig noted that taxpayers must take special care this year. He stated that taxpayers should file electronically as filing a paper tax return this year will mean an extended refund delay. Further, Rettig stated that the IRS will work hard to catch up on past tax returns affected by the pandemic and deliver refunds quickly.

The American Bar Association's Section of Taxation is asking the Internal Revenue Service to issue regulations related to the filing of a research credit refund claim.

The IRS encouraged taxpayers to use its online tools and resources to find the information they need to be ready to file their 2021 federal tax returns, including important special steps related to Economic Impact Payments (EIP) and advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) payments. This is the third in a series of reminders to help taxpayers get ready for the upcoming tax filing season. Additionally, a special page is available on the IRS website that outlines steps taxpayers can take to make tax filing easier.

The IRS released the optional standard mileage rates for 2022. Most taxpayers may use these rates to compute deductible costs of operating vehicles for business, medical, and charitable purposes. Some members of the military may also use these rates to compute their moving expense deductions.

The IRS has extended the availability of electronic signatures on certain audit and non-audit forms. Through October 31, 2023, taxpayers and their authorized representatives may electronically sign documents and email documents to the IRS. This is an exception to normal policy. Previously, the IRS had allowed e-signatures through the end of 2021.

The IRS has urged taxpayers, including ones who received stimulus payments or advance Child Tax Credit payments, to follow some easy steps for accurate federal tax returns filing in 2022.