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

Ryan Norton

Whether designing superheroes, penciling caricatures, or just doodling, I always knew I was going to earn some sort of art degree while in college. That was my goal before I decided to trade Edgar Degas for Edgar Allan Poe during a Freshman English class. The BA in English soon morphed into a double-major in English and Philosophy, eventually becoming an MA in English. It only makes sense that I learned of a writing opportunity for a local marketing firm while teaching a first-year college English course. Before I knew it, I was writing and editing tax-related articles for Taxing Subjects, and this has been my home since 2014.

Security Summit Says IP PINs Can Protect Taxpayer Information

Ryan Norton - December 02, 2020

Taxpayers who want to make it harder for identity thieves to successfully file a fraudulent tax return using their information will soon be able to sign up for an IP PIN. Starting in January 2021, the Internal Revenue Service says it will allow any taxpayer to sign up for the Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program—provided they can “properly verify their identities.”…

Multi-factor Authentication Spotlighted for National Tax Security Awareness Week

Ryan Norton - December 01, 2020

Day two of National Tax Security Awareness Week is all about multi-factor authentication. Following opening day warnings about the increased number of phishing scams that taxpayers will face over the holidays, during tax season, and throughout 2021, it makes sense that the second day emphasizes a security measure that the Internal Revenue Service says “will be available on all 2021 online tax preparation products.”…

National Tax Security Awareness Week to Focus on Identity Theft Prevention

Ryan Norton - November 20, 2020

Tax professionals across the country are preparing for next filing season by training seasonal staff, reviewing software updates, and earning CPE.…

Protecting Your Tax Practice from Phishing Scams

Ryan Norton - November 13, 2020

Identity thieves who deploy phishing scams are quick to innovate, using popular communication platforms and current events to target victims where and when they are most vulnerable.…

IRS Says Self-Supporting College Students Could Qualify for an EIP

Ryan Norton - November 06, 2020

The Internal Revenue Service announced that some college students could qualify for an Economic Impact Payment. This press release is part of the agency’s push to get all eligible non-filers to register for an EIP before the Nov. 21, 2020 deadline, and it comes days before National EIP Registration Day.…

Security Summit Warning: Taxpayers Receiving EIP Text Message Scam

Ryan Norton - November 05, 2020

The Security Summit yesterday reported that taxpayers are being targeted by a new series of text-message scams that impersonate state departments of revenue and tax relief organizations. An…

IRS Announces 2021 Income Ranges for IRA, Saver’s Credit Eligibility, and More

Ryan Norton - October 28, 2020

Taxpayers trying to plan their 2021 deductible retirement plan contributions will be happy to learn that the Internal Revenue Service this week published Notice 2020-79.…

Tax Relief for Wildfire and Hurricane Victims

Ryan Norton - October 20, 2020

Taxpayers dealing with the fallout from wildfires in California and Hurricane Delta in Louisiana yesterday received some good news from the Internal Revenue Service. Following the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster declarations for affected areas, the IRS is giving victims additional time to meet certain filing and payment deadlines.…

IRS Reminds Tax Pros about PTIN renewal and AFSP Opportunities

Ryan Norton - October 19, 2020

The Internal Revenue Service Return Preparer’s Office is reminding tax professionals about the PTIN renewal deadline and Annual Filing Season Program perks. According to the Friday IRS newsletter, the RPO is set to send two separate messages: one to all current PTIN holders, and another to all non-credentialed PTIN holders.…

Treasury Says SBA Has Simpler Forgiveness Application for Certain PPP Loans

Ryan Norton - October 16, 2020

The Treasury Department last week announced that the Small Business Administration is making it easier to request Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan forgiveness for loans that are $50,000 or less.…