Drake Software blog for tax pros, covering tax, IRS news, and more

Bob Williams

Forget genes; I’ve got words in my DNA. Communication has been part of who I am nearly all my life. From a long career in radio news to another one in newspapers – and a University of Georgia journalism degree sandwiched between the two – language has been my life. I’ve also been fortunate to have learned the tax business from the ground up here at Drake, starting with 1040.com online forms some years ago before moving on to work on the Web. In all things tax-ish, we aim to give you tools you can use.

50,000 to Get “Catch-Up” Economic Impact Payments

Bob Williams - August 26, 2020

Some 50,000 individuals who had a portion of their Economic Impact Payment diverted to pay their spouse’s past-due child support will soon get a check to make up the difference.…

IRS Offers Disaster Relief to California and Iowa Taxpayers

Bob Williams - August 25, 2020

Taxpayers in California and Iowa have a little extra time to file their tax returns and pay tax due, thanks to relief measures announced by the Internal Revenue Service.Victims of California wildfires…

Aug. 31 is the Deadline to Return Distributions to Retirement Accounts

Bob Williams - August 24, 2020

IRA owners, beneficiaries and workplace retirement plan participants who got a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) this year have until Aug. 31 to rollover or repay the distribution in order to avoid being taxed on the payments.…

Make a Plan to Protect Your Data and Report Theft

Bob Williams - August 21, 2020

The Internal Revenue Service and its partners on the Security Summit are reminding the nation’s tax professionals that having a written information security plan is more than just a good idea—it’s the law.…

Truckers Reminded to e-File Highway Use Tax Return by August Deadline

Bob Williams - August 14, 2020

The Internal Revenue Service is reminding owners of most heavy highway vehicles to timely file their Form 2290, Heavy Highway Vehicle Use Tax Return.…

“Physical Presence” CPE Rule Temporarily Waived for Enrolled Actuaries

Bob Williams - August 11, 2020

The Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries is providing enrolled actuaries with some relief when it comes to picking up their continuing professional education (CPE) credits.…

IRS Gives Extra Line to Sport Fishing, Archery Equipment Companies

Bob Williams - August 10, 2020

A new notice from the Internal Revenue Service gives companies that make and sell sport fishing or archery equipment more time to pay their quarterly excise taxes.…

TIGTA Says Most IRS Apps Unable to Track Unauthorized Users

Bob Williams - August 07, 2020

The Internal Revenue Service in recent years has made many advancements in the online service sector, installing helpful applications to aid individual taxpayers. But a new audit shows that if an unauthorized user manages to get into the system, many times the applications are unable to show investigators where those intruders went.…

Work Virtually for Real Security

Bob Williams - August 05, 2020

More and more, tax professionals are relying on working remotely, also known as teleworking, in order to stay connected with clients and remain productive.…

James Lee to Lead IRS Criminal Investigations

Bob Williams - August 04, 2020

The Internal Revenue Service is changing the guard in its Criminal Investigation (CI) division. James Lee, the current deputy chief of the division and a 25-year IRS veteran, will take the reins from retiring Chief Don Fort.…