The New York State Society of CPAs

On the evening of May 8, lawmakers from the New York State Assembly and Senate finally passed the state's fiscal year 2026 budget worth $254 billion, according to The New York Times.  Gov. Kathy Hochul noted that the budget's child tax credit expansions, increased school funding as well as other programs would make New York a more affordable place to live.

On May 9, the PCAOB posted a new set of staff presentation videos created to assist firms in implementing four areas of their quality control (QC) system under QC 1000, A Firm’s System of Quality Control.  

In the past few years, the digital asset industry has exploded both in growth and complexity. Just a few years ago, most digital asset holders would acquire a digital asset directly, anticipating it would appreciate. Now, with the growth of the digital asset derivatives market, such as futures, option products, and ETFs, a digital asset holder can invest in many more ways in this expanding industry. The ability to invest in a wide range of digital asset products brings several tax issues that must be considered.

Social Security is one of the richest pension programs ever created. Most middle-income couples will receive over $1.4 million in eligible benefits over a 20-year retirement. Higher-income couples often receive $2 million or more over the same retirement period and can collect over $100,000 per year in combined benefits.

On Dec. 20, 2024, the Treasury Department and the IRS released proposed regulations (REG-116610-20) to update Circular 230, which governs practice before the IRS. These amendments, if finalized, would have a substantial impact on attorneys, CPAs, enrolled agents, and other tax professionals who practice before the IRS. Understanding these proposed amendments is essential for tax practitioners to prepare for potential changes ahead.

The Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in 2022, provides a groundbreaking framework for advancing clean energy initiatives across the United States. This legislation’s primary focus is to incentivize energy-efficient investments through tax credits, including provisions that allow local governmental agencies and other tax-exempt entities to benefit from these incentives via elective pay, also referred to as direct pay. By tapping into these opportunities, local governments can significantly reduce costs while advancing sustainability goals, modernizing infrastructure, and stimulating local economies.