7th Circ. Upholds Ex-Atty's Conviction In Burke Bribery Case
The Seventh Circuit on Friday kept in place the conviction and 32-month prison sentence of a Chicago real estate developer and former attorney for offering legal work to ex-Alderman Edward Burke as a bribe for help with a zoning permit, finding the government presented sufficient evidence to support a guilty verdict and arguments to the contrary were "unavailing."
Vanguard Investors Win Final OK For $25M Tax Suit Deal
A Pennsylvania federal judge finalized a $25 million settlement to end a class action accusing Vanguard of triggering an asset sell-off that saddled investors with capital gains taxes, handing the investors' attorneys more than $8 million in fees.
US Disputes Right To Trial Before IRS Assesses FBAR Fines
A California man wasn't entitled to a jury trial prior to the IRS assessing penalties for his failure to report foreign bank accounts because the U.S. Supreme Court decision he cited limiting administrative courts for securities fraud doesn't apply, the government told a California federal court.
7th Circ. Upholds Ex-Atty's Conviction In Burke Bribery Case
The Seventh Circuit on Friday kept in place the conviction and 32-month prison sentence of a Chicago real estate developer and former attorney for offering legal work to ex-Alderman Edward Burke as a bribe for help with a zoning permit, finding the government presented sufficient evidence to support a guilty verdict and arguments to the contrary were "unavailing."
Vanguard Investors Win Final OK For $25M Tax Suit Deal
A Pennsylvania federal judge finalized a $25 million settlement to end a class action accusing Vanguard of triggering an asset sell-off that saddled investors with capital gains taxes, handing the investors' attorneys more than $8 million in fees.
US Disputes Right To Trial Before IRS Assesses FBAR Fines
A California man wasn't entitled to a jury trial prior to the IRS assessing penalties for his failure to report foreign bank accounts because the U.S. Supreme Court decision he cited limiting administrative courts for securities fraud doesn't apply, the government told a California federal court.
Federal More
The Sixth Circuit's recent holding in FirstEnergy's bribery probe ruling that attorney-client privilege applied to a dual-purpose workplace investigation because its primary purpose was obtaining legal advice ... (more story)
Two St. Louis tax attorneys and a North Carolina insurance broker have asked the Fourth Circuit to unravel their convictions for participating in a $22 million tax scheme, arguing the government failed to prov... (more story)
For family offices, the throughline of 2026 is disciplined readiness, as navigating impact from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and platform maturation will be necessary to preserve flexibility and enhance clie... (more story)
Champions for improved judicial administration should reject the unfounded criticisms driving recent Senate proposals to divide the Ninth Circuit and instead seek to replicate the court's unique strengths and ... (more story)
In this week's Taxation With Representation, power generation company Vistra Corp. acquires Cogentrix Energy from Quantum Capital Group, real estate firm Minto Group partners with Crestpoint Real Estate Invest... (more story)
Appellate courts have mostly upheld federal agencies' interpretation of ambiguous statutes, including tax disputes, even after the U.S. Supreme Court's 2024 landmark decision that limited agency deference, a U... (more story)
A former IRS deputy commissioner criticized the U.S. Department of Justice for indicting a former software executive who was ultimately convicted of failing to pay employment taxes, calling the choice "entirel... (more story)
State & Local More
In Praise Of These 10 Revenue Agencies: SALT In Review
RSM's David Brunori, a contributor who regularly offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news, opens 2026 with his annual presentation of the nation's top 10 revenue departments.
Texas Justices Reject Rehearing Co.'s Property Tax Case
The Texas Supreme Court denied a motion Friday to rehear a power company's property tax assessment challenge concerning heavy equipment it leased, keeping in place a decision that found the equipment was corre... (more story)
Kraft Heinz Fights For Apportionment Of NJ Litter Fee
Kraft Heinz asked the New Jersey Tax Court to rule that the state's litter control fee unconstitutionally taxed the company's out-of-state activities by not allowing it to apportion the levy based on where its... (more story)
NC Wins Appeal To Use Smithfield Funds For Enviro Grants
The North Carolina Attorney General's Office can continue putting money from a decades-old hog waste agreement toward environmental grants, a state appeals court panel ruled, overturning a lower court order ea... (more story)
Audits Get Final Word On Economic Substance, IRS Atty Says
IRS attorneys provide legal guidance during audits on whether a transaction lacks economic substance, but examiners make the ultimate determination, an agency associate chief counsel said Thursday while explai... (more story)
Mich. Again Falls Short In Bid To Ax Challenge To 24% Pot Tax
A Michigan federal judge is standing firm in her decision to allow industry members to proceed with a portion of their challenge to the state's excise tax on wholesale marijuana sales, finding that the state h... (more story)
Treasury Eyes Final Easements Settlements, Official Says
The U.S. Department of the Treasury plans to issue a summary of the IRS' successes in conservation easement cases as it works on a final settlement initiative for hundreds of remaining disputes, a department o... (more story)
RSM's David Brunori, a contributor who regularly offers his thoughts on noteworthy state and local tax news, opens 2026 with his annual presentation of the nation's top 10 revenue departments.
The Texas Supreme Court denied a motion Friday to rehear a power company's property tax assessment challenge concerning heavy equipment it leased, keeping in place a decision that found the equipment was corre... (more story)
Kraft Heinz asked the New Jersey Tax Court to rule that the state's litter control fee unconstitutionally taxed the company's out-of-state activities by not allowing it to apportion the levy based on where its... (more story)
The North Carolina Attorney General's Office can continue putting money from a decades-old hog waste agreement toward environmental grants, a state appeals court panel ruled, overturning a lower court order ea... (more story)
IRS attorneys provide legal guidance during audits on whether a transaction lacks economic substance, but examiners make the ultimate determination, an agency associate chief counsel said Thursday while explai... (more story)
A Michigan federal judge is standing firm in her decision to allow industry members to proceed with a portion of their challenge to the state's excise tax on wholesale marijuana sales, finding that the state h... (more story)
The U.S. Department of the Treasury plans to issue a summary of the IRS' successes in conservation easement cases as it works on a final settlement initiative for hundreds of remaining disputes, a department o... (more story)
International More
EU Council Approves Mercosur Free Trade Agreement
A legislative arm of the European Union approved the bloc's free trade agreement with four South American countries Friday, taking steps to create the largest global free trade zone.
US Asks 6th Circ. To Revive Reg In $89M FedEx Tax Suit
The Sixth Circuit should vacate a judgment that allowed FedEx an $89 million refund by discarding a regulation preventing companies from claiming foreign tax credits on earnings offset by losses, which aren't ... (more story)
Data Supervisor Warns Against Exceptional VAT Info Searches
The European Union's plans to crack down on value-added tax fraud may blur the line between data cooperation and law enforcement, potentially undermining data protection, the EU's data supervisor warned Thursday.
HSBC To Pay €300M To Settle French Tax Fraud Probe
HSBC has agreed to pay French authorities more than €300 million ($350 million) in fines and unpaid taxes to settle a criminal probe into how the bank's Paris branch handled dividend arbitrage transactions bet... (more story)
OECD Project Seeks To Ease Access To Tax Dispute Process
A new project at the OECD will aim to ensure that double-tax cases are eligible to be resolved through bilateral government negotiations under treaties no matter how they're characterized by a country's tax au... (more story)
US Official Gives Rationale For OECD Global Mobility Changes
Recent changes to the commentary on when a home office gives rise to a permanent establishment in the OECD model tax treaty reflect delegates' unhappiness with previous language on the availability of an offic... (more story)
Reckless Conduct Can Be Willful FBAR Failure, 2nd Circ. Says
The standard for willful failure to report foreign bank accounts includes reckless conduct, and a 6% late payment penalty is mandatory for a couple who neglected fines for stashing millions in an undisclosed S... (more story)
A legislative arm of the European Union approved the bloc's free trade agreement with four South American countries Friday, taking steps to create the largest global free trade zone.
The Sixth Circuit should vacate a judgment that allowed FedEx an $89 million refund by discarding a regulation preventing companies from claiming foreign tax credits on earnings offset by losses, which aren't ... (more story)
The European Union's plans to crack down on value-added tax fraud may blur the line between data cooperation and law enforcement, potentially undermining data protection, the EU's data supervisor warned Thursday.
HSBC has agreed to pay French authorities more than €300 million ($350 million) in fines and unpaid taxes to settle a criminal probe into how the bank's Paris branch handled dividend arbitrage transactions bet... (more story)
A new project at the OECD will aim to ensure that double-tax cases are eligible to be resolved through bilateral government negotiations under treaties no matter how they're characterized by a country's tax au... (more story)
Recent changes to the commentary on when a home office gives rise to a permanent establishment in the OECD model tax treaty reflect delegates' unhappiness with previous language on the availability of an offic... (more story)
The standard for willful failure to report foreign bank accounts includes reckless conduct, and a 6% late payment penalty is mandatory for a couple who neglected fines for stashing millions in an undisclosed S... (more story)