Rev. Rul. 2026-20, 2026-20 I.R.B. 1, September 28, 2026

Notice 2026-62, 2026-20 I.R.B. 1, September 28, 2026

In a coordinated regulatory release, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued Revenue Ruling 2026-20 alongside Notice 2026-62 to address what tax administrators describe as “novel investment fund strategies that purport to produce tax results that may be inconsistent with the purpose and proper application of the relevant federal tax rules.” Targeted at certified public accountants, enrolled agents, and corporate tax counsel, these administrative pronouncements draw a decisive boundary between conventional, long-established exchange-traded fund (ETF) operations and tax-motivated, structured transactions designed to circumvent gain recognition under Subchapter M and Subchapter C of the Internal Revenue Code (Code).

At the center of this enforcement initiative is Section 852(b)(6), a specialized nonrecognition provision applicable to regulated investment companies (RICs). While Section 852(b)(6) historically shields a RIC from recognizing gain under Section 311(b) when distributing appreciated portfolio property in redemption of its stock upon a shareholder’s demand, tax advisors have increasingly paired this provision with Section 351 corporate formation rules and partnership exchange fund mechanisms under Section 721. Through Revenue Ruling 2026-20, the IRS invokes longstanding step-transaction and substance-over-form doctrines to recharacterize so-called “Section 351 conversion transactions” as direct, taxable asset exchanges under Section 1001. Concurrently, Notice 2026-62 serves as a broad warning shot across several other atypical usages of Section 852(b)(6) and multi-position derivative strategies, signaling prospective or retroactive regulatory action, potential transaction-of-interest designations, and direct examination challenges.

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Election to Pay in Installments Tax on Gain from Certain Farmland Property, REG-117095-25, 91 Fed. Reg. 63812 (proposed Sept. 29, 2026)

The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service have issued proposed regulations (REG-117095-25) implementing Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 1062. This statutory provision was enacted by Section 70437 of Public Law 119-21, 139 Stat. 72, 248–250 (July 4, 2025), commonly referred to as the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The primary legislative purpose underlying Section 1062 is to facilitate the transition of agricultural real property to active, younger generations of farmers by easing the immediate capital gains tax burden associated with outright sales of farmland.

Under Section 1062(a), eligible taxpayers who recognize gain from the sale or exchange of “qualified farmland property” to a “qualified farmer” may elect to pay their “applicable net tax liability” in four equal annual installments rather than recognizing the full tax obligation in the year of disposition. The Treasury Department promulgated these proposed regulations pursuant to its general rulemaking authority under Section 7805(a), as well as specific statutory mandates under Section 1062(c)(2) (governing pass-through entity elections) and Section 1502 (governing consolidated corporate groups).

Juliet R. Singh v. United States, No. 1:25-cv-00056 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 24, 2026)

Tax practitioners frequently encounter situationally complex client cases where taxpayers, acting without immediate legal or tax counsel, submit informal written requests to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) explaining economic hardships or casualty events. When formal amended returns (Form 1040-X) are subsequently submitted past the standard statutory period under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 6511(a), the IRS routinely asserts a lack of subject matter jurisdiction under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1), claiming sovereign immunity.

In Juliet R. Singh v. United States, No. 1:25-cv-00056 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 24, 2026), United States District Judge Ann M. Donnelly issued a pivotal ruling denying the government’s motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The decision provides critical guidance for Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) and Enrolled Agents (EAs) on two distinct legal theories preserving refund jurisdiction: the Informal Claim Doctrine and statutory postponements under IRC § 7508A(d) resulting from federally declared disasters.

Jagannath v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2026-92 (Sept. 24, 2026)

In Jagannath v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2026-92 (Filed September 24, 2026), the United States Tax Court addressed the application of section 4958 intermediate sanctions excise taxes to an uncorrected transaction between a Section 501(c)(3) public charity and its founder/president. The decision serves as a stark reminder for tax practitioners regarding the strict statutory mechanics of IRC § 4958, the evidentiary burden on taxpayers under Subtitle D, and the mandatory reporting rules on Form 4720.

The petitioner, Sitaraman Jagannath, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering and worked as a chemical engineer and real estate manager. On September 9, 2015, Mr. Jagannath formed Senecura, a Tennessee non-profit corporation designed to assist indigent individuals with basic living necessities. On September 29, 2015, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Letter 5436 approving Senecura’s exemption from corporate income tax under IRC § 501(c)(3) and granting public charity status under IRC § 170(b)(1)(A)(vi), retroactive to September 9, 2015.

Lindsey v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2026-94 (Sept. 24, 2026)

In federal tax controversy practice, few procedural hurdles carry as much consequence as the mailing of a Statutory Notice of Deficiency (SNOD) under Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) § 6212 and the strict 90-day jurisdictional petition window mandated by I.R.C. § 6213(a). For tax practitioners representing clients before the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the United States Tax Court, understanding how the IRS establishes proper mailing—especially when administrative recordkeeping breaks down—is vital.

In Lindsey v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2026-94 (Sept. 24, 2026), the Tax Court evaluated a case where the IRS conceded it could not rely on the statutory presumption of mailing due to an incomplete U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Form 3877. Nevertheless, the court held that the Commissioner carried his burden of proving proper mailing through cumulative, circumstantial evidence. Consequently, because the taxpayer filed her petition well beyond the 90-day statutory period, the Tax Court dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction under controlling Seventh Circuit precedent. This article provides a technical analysis of the factual background, evidentiary rulings under the Federal Rules of Evidence, procedural tax law, application to facts, and the broader legal implications of the decision.

Notice 2026-60, 2026-41 I.R.B. 1, Sept. 23, 2026

On an annual basis, the Internal Revenue Service releases administrative guidance updating the special per diem rates and list of high-cost localities utilized by taxpayers to substantiate ordinary and necessary business travel expenses. Notice 2026-60 serves as the official IRS release for the 2026–2027 fiscal year cycle, covering travel performed on or after October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. Specifically, Notice 2026-60 provides:

“the 2026-2027 special per diem rates for taxpayers to use in substantiating the amount of ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred while traveling away from home, specifically (1) the special transportation industry meal and incidental expenses (M&IE) rates, (2) the rate for the incidental expenses only deduction, and (3) the rates and list of high-cost localities for purposes of the high-low substantiation method.”

The administrative issuance of Notice 2026-60 is essential for employers operating accountable plans, transportation sector businesses, and qualifying tax-deductible travelers who seek to streamline compliance and avoid the administrative burden of maintaining detailed receipts for every lodging and meal expenditure.

Treasury Decision 10055, RIN 1545-BS10, Sept. 25, 2026

The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued Final Regulations (Treasury Decision 10055, RIN 1545-BS10) amending 26 CFR Part 300 to increase the user fee charged to authorized persons requesting IRS Letter 627, commonly referred to as an estate tax closing letter. This regulatory action adopts without change the proposed regulations (REG-103193-26) published on June 2, 2026 (91 FR 32909). The final rule establishes a revised user fee of $76 per request, representing an increase from the $56 fee established in 2025.

An estate tax closing letter provides verification from the IRS that the estate tax return (Form 706, United States Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Return) has been accepted, confirming either the net estate tax liability, discharge from personal liability under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 2204, or the final settlement of audit determinations. For estate planning professionals, tax practitioners, CPAs, and corporate fiduciaries, obtaining Letter 627 is a critical administrative step in closing probate estates, distributing assets to beneficiaries, and securing final discharge of local liability.

Williams v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2026-91, (Sept. 23, 2026)

This analysis examines Williams v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2026-91, a United States Tax Court decision evaluating the disallowance of significant personal casualty loss deductions, noncash charitable contributions, state and local tax (SALT) deductions, and active-duty military commuting expenses claimed as reservist travel deductions following a catastrophic natural disaster. The decision serves as a critical precedent for certified public accountants (CPAs) and enrolled agents (EAs) regarding the non-negotiable statutory substantiation standards under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Sections 165, 170, 164, 162, and 274, as well as the procedural mechanics of Section 6662(a) accuracy-related penalties and Section 6751(b) supervisory approval requirements.

IRS Notice 2026-55, 2026-41 I.R.B. 1 (Sept. 2026).

The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued Notice 2026-55 in Part III of the Internal Revenue Bulletin to request formal public and professional commentary regarding complex administrative and legal issues under Section 1400Z-2 of the Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.). This notice directly addresses statutory modifications enacted under Section 70421 of Public Law 119-21 (139 Stat. 72, July 4, 2025), popularly known as the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

As tax practitioners specializing in real estate transactions and capital gain deferral strategies evaluate the evolving statutory landscape, Notice 2026-55 serves as a crucial administrative benchmark. It signals the IRS’s intent to refine regulations governing Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs) and Qualified Opportunity Zone Businesses (QOZBs). The Treasury Department and the IRS specifically request that tax professionals “identify provisions of the § 1400Z-2 regulations or other guidance that should be retained, modified, or supplemented, and to describe in technical detail the legal analysis supporting any such changes based on the statutory text of § 1400Z-2 and other applicable provisions of the Code.”

Perkins v. Director of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue, No. 3:25-cv-00002 (D.V.I. Sept. 18, 2026)

Territorial tax administration frequently presents complex jurisdictional and statutory coordination questions under the “mirror code” framework. In Perkins v. Director of the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue, the District Court of the Virgin Islands directly addressed whether the Virgin Islands Bureau of Internal Revenue (VIBIR) possesses authority to assess the 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) under Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) § 1411 against a bona fide resident of the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).

Resolving a motion for partial judgment on the pleadings under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(c), the court held that the VIBIR’s assessment was ultra vires and void as a matter of law. This decision re-anchors territorial tax enforcement to fundamental principles of federal territorial power, administrative law, and binding Treasury regulations. For CPAs and Enrolled Agents advising high-net-worth individuals and entity structures in USVI or other mirror-code territories (such as Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), Perkins serves as a crucial authority on the non-applicability of Chapter 2A un-mirrored taxes and the absolute binding nature of Treasury Department legislative regulations on territorial tax authorities.

Kings Road Property, LLC v. Commissioner, 167 T.C. No. 11 (2026)

In Kings Road Property, LLC v. Commissioner, 167 T.C. No. 11 (2026), the United States Tax Court addressed two pivotal issues arising under the partnership audit and litigation procedures of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA), codified at Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) §§ 6221–6241. First, the court held that the 90-day filing deadline set forth in I.R.C. § 6234(a) for petitioning the Tax Court following the issuance of a Final Partnership Adjustment (FPA) is a nonjurisdictional claims-processing rule subject to equitable tolling. Second, the court established that misinformation provided by Internal Revenue Service (IRS) personnel, combined with undelivered certified mail, constitutes extraordinary circumstances justifying equitable tolling where the taxpayer demonstrates continuous diligence. Finally, the court rejected taxpayer cross-challenges concerning minor address abbreviations and acting official authority under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act (FVRA), affirming that an FPA remains statutory valid even if returned undelivered or unsigned.

For certified public accountants (CPAs), enrolled agents (EAs), and tax litigators, Kings Road Property provides essential guidance on statutory computation mechanics, administrative reliance, and procedural motion practice in BBA partnership examinations.

Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, H.R. 5334, 119th Cong. (2026) (enrolled bill transmitted to the President Sept. 17, 2026); 26 U.S.C. § 62(a)(2)(D), (d)(1).

Note: The President signed the bill into law on September 18, 2026.

H.R. 5334, designated as the “Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026,” represents a statutory measure originating in the 119th Congress. Introduced by Representative Jimmy Panetta [D-CA-19] on September 11, 2025, and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means, the measure was formally reported as amended under House Report 119-600. Following passage in the House of Representatives on April 27, 2026, the Senate considered the bill under Amendment SA 6711, proposed by Senator Lindsey Graham. The Senate passed the amended bill, and on September 16, 2026, the House concurred in the Senate amendments by a roll call vote of 262 to 159. The enrolled legislation was subsequently transmitted to the President on September 17, 2026.

While the primary division of H.R. 5334 enacts extensive economic sanctions, energy export bans, and international financial restrictions under Division A, the bill also incorporates targeted amendments to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (I.R.C.). Specifically, the legislation expands the above-the-line deduction for educator expenses under I.R.C. § 62(a)(2)(D) to incorporate early childhood educators. For tax practitioners, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), and Enrolled Agents (EAs), understanding the precise interaction between current statutory provisions, the enacted amendatory language, and the statutory effective date is critical for proper income tax return preparation, client tax planning, and compliance strategy.

Soroban Capital Partners LP v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Nos. 25-2079 (L), 25-2250 (CON) (2d Cir. Sept. 17, 2026), aff’g 161 T.C. 310 (2023), and T.C.M. (RIA) 2025-52.

K Alain, L.L.L.P. v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, No. 24-60240, 184 F.4th 766 (5th Cir. Aug. 12, 2026), granting reh’g, withdrawing and substituting 165 F.4th 374 (5th Cir. 2026), vacating and remanding Nos. 11587-20, 30118-21 (U.S. Tax Court Feb. 20, 2024)

The tax world has reached a defining moment regarding the application of the federal Self-Employment Contributions Act (SECA) tax to partnership distributive shares. For over a decade, asset managers, private equity sponsors, hedge fund operators, and pass-through entities have relied heavily on state-law limited partnership structures to insulate active partner distributive shares from the 15.3% SECA tax imposed under Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) § 1401(a)–(b). That reliance has encountered a formidable wall of judicial precedent.

On September 17, 2026, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued its highly anticipated decision in Soroban Capital Partners LP v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, Nos. 25-2079 (L), 25-2250 (CON) (2d Cir. Sept. 17, 2026), affirming the United States Tax Court’s rulings in Soroban Capital Partners LP v. Commissioner (“Soroban I”), 161 T.C. 310 (2023), and Soroban Capital Partners LP v. Commissioner (“Soroban II”), T.C.M. (RIA) 2025-52, 2025 WL 1517432 (May 28, 2025). The Second Circuit held unequivocally that the statutory exemption under I.R.C. § 1402(a)(13) for a “limited partner, as such” does not protect partners who exert operational or managerial control over a partnership’s business, regardless of their formal designation under state partnership law.

This significant ruling comes shortly after the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit granted rehearing, withdrew its initial opinion in Sirius Solutions, L.L.L.P. v. Commissioner, 165 F.4th 374 (5th Cir. 2026), and issued a revised opinion under the taxpayer’s renamed entity, K Alain, L.L.L.P. v. Commissioner, No. 24-60240, 184 F.4th 766 (5th Cir. Aug. 12, 2026).

For CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and tax attorneys advising pass-through entities, understanding the precise statutory mechanics, procedural jurisdictional hurdles, and substantive functional standards established by these decisions is critical. This article provides a comprehensive technical analysis of the facts in Soroban, the taxpayers’ request for relief, the Second Circuit’s statutory analysis, the application of law to facts, and a rigorous comparison with the Fifth Circuit’s revised decision in K Alain to evaluate whether a true circuit split exists.

H.R. 9500, 119th Cong., 2d Sess. (2026), passed the House of Representatives on September 15, 2026

On September 15, 2026, the United States House of Representatives passed H.R. 9500, titled the “Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act”. Introduced by Representative Max Miller (OH) alongside Representative Thomas Suozzi (NY), the proposed legislation enacts substantive modifications to Title 26 of the United States Code (Internal Revenue Code of 1986). The bill addresses long-standing practitioner concerns regarding the restrictive personal casualty loss rules imposed under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017, while instituting unprecedented relief, elections, and extended refund statutes for taxpayers who suffer theft losses stemming from fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.

Legislative Status Note: Tax practitioners must advise clients that while H.R. 9500 has passed the House of Representatives, it remains a proposed bill. To become law, H.R. 9500 must still be considered and approved by the United States Senate and subsequently signed into law by the President of the United States.

Notice 2026-54, 2026-41 I.R.B. 1 (Sept. 28, 2026)

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Notice 2026-54 to provide critical relief under Section 1033(e)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) for agricultural producers who were forced to sell draft, breeding, or dairy livestock due to persistent drought conditions. Under general tax principles, gain realized from the sale or exchange of property must be recognized unless a specific nonrecognition provision applies. I.R.C. § 1033(e)(1) treats weather-related excess sales of qualified livestock as involuntary conversions, allowing taxpayers to defer gain by reinvesting the sales proceeds in qualified replacement property. While the statutory replacement period under I.R.C. § 1033(e)(2)(A) is four years for sales occurring in federally designated disaster areas, persistent multi-year weather events can prevent timely herd replenishment or farm reinvestment.

Notice 2026-54 invokes the administrative extension mechanism established under I.R.C. § 1033(e)(2)(B) and Notice 2006-82, 2006-2 C.B. 529, extending the replacement period for affected taxpayers until the end of their first taxable year ending after a “drought-free year” for their applicable region. This article delivers a comprehensive technical analysis of Notice 2026-54 for CPAs and Enrolled Agents, detailing the statutory framework, administrative background, factual determinations, legal application, and practical reporting considerations for client compliance.

Darrin Johnson, Jr. v. Internal Revenue Service, No. 1:25-cv-02117 (D. Md. Sept. 11, 2026)

For tax professionals advising clients on tax controversy and refund claims, maintaining strict adherence to statutory filing formalities is paramount. In Darrin Johnson, Jr. v. Internal Revenue Service, No. 1:25-cv-02117 (D. Md. Sept. 11, 2026), the United States District Court for the District of Maryland addressed whether a taxpayer’s addition of restrictive phrases above the signature line on an amended tax return invalidates the return for purposes of bringing a federal refund suit. Holding that qualifying or modifying the mandatory “penalties of perjury” jurat destroys the legal validity of IRS Form 1040X, the court dismissed the taxpayer’s refund complaint under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(6) for failure to meet the statutory prerequisite of a “duly filed” claim under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 7422(a). This decision reinforces long-standing tax jurisprudence: tax administrative mechanics cannot be circumvented through “sovereign citizen” style disclaimers or jurat alterations.

Justin Joseph Moore v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, T.C. Memo. 2026-85, Docket No. 2249-25L (Sept. 15, 2026).

Tax practitioners representing clients in IRS Collection Due Process (CDP) proceedings must maintain strict compliance with procedural rules governing standard of review, underlying tax liability challenges, and lien withdrawal requests. In Justin Joseph Moore v. Commissioner of Internal Revenue, T.C. Memo. 2026-85 (Docket No. 2249-25L, filed September 15, 2026), the United States Tax Court evaluated the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) refusal to withdraw a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) securing $730,027 in unpaid income tax liabilities. Beyond providing a rigorous framework regarding the scope of review under Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) §§ 6320 and 6330, the decision offers a stern judicial warning regarding the unverified use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in legal drafting. This article analyzes the facts, legal framework, judicial holdings, and practical implications of Moore v. Commissioner, while examining companion authority from the Arizona Court of Appeals on AI-related sanctions.

Tunkl v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2026-83 (Sept. 10, 2026)

For federal income tax professionals advising high-net-worth clients, dealers, and corporate entities engaged in informal joint ventures, the line separating taxable gross income from nontaxable receipts—such as deposits or bona fide loans—is a critical compliance boundary. In Tunkl v. Commissioner, T.C. Memo. 2026-83 (Sept. 10, 2026), the United States Tax Court addressed whether $16.5 million received by an art dealer’s S corporation for an intended artwork acquisition constituted unreported gross income under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) § 61(a) or a nontaxable financial flow.

The decision by Judge Landy offers an instructive analysis of the economic dominion doctrine, the strict temporal requirements for establishing customer deposits under Commissioner v. Indianapolis Power & Light Co., and the Ninth Circuit’s multifactor framework for bona fide debt under Welch v. Commissioner.

Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Allocation and Apportionment of Deductions to Foreign Source Section 951A Category Income and Deduction Eligible Income, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, REG-117273-25, RIN 1545-BR90, 26 C.F.R. Part 1, 91 Fed. Reg. (scheduled for publication Sept. 11, 2026).

The Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) have issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (REG-117273-25, RIN 1545-BR90) providing long-awaited regulatory guidance regarding the “allocation and apportionment of deductions to foreign source section 951A category income for foreign tax credit limitation purposes and for purposes of calculating deduction eligible income”. These proposed regulations primarily implement the statutory mandates enacted under Public Law 119-21, 139 Stat. 72 (July 4, 2025), commonly known as the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

Specifically, the rulemaking updates existing regulations under Treasury Regulation § 1.250(b)-1, amends Treasury Regulation § 1.861-8 and § 1.904(b)-3, and introduces new Proposed Treasury Regulation § 1.904(b)-4. The provisions significantly alter how domestic corporations determine foreign-derived deduction eligible income (FDDEI) and calculate foreign tax credit (FTC) limitations under Internal Revenue Code (I.R.C.) § 904(a) for foreign source global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) category income (section 951A category income).

This article provides tax practitioners, CPAs, and Enrolled Agents (EAs) with a rigorous technical examination of the background, statutory revisions, administrative rationale, effective dates, and taxpayer reliance rules established by Treasury in these proposed regulations.

Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Information Reporting Regarding Qualified Opportunity Zones and Updated Qualified Opportunity Fund Certification and Decertification Procedures, REG-116506-25, RIN 1545-BR82, 26 CFR Parts 1 and 301, 91 FR _____ (scheduled for publication Sept. 11, 2026)

On September 11, 2026, the Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued Notice of Proposed Rulemaking REG-116506-25 (RIN 1545-BR82), titled Information Reporting Regarding Qualified Opportunity Zones and Updated Qualified Opportunity Fund Certification and Decertification Procedures. This regulatory package implements new statutory mandates enacted under Section 70421 of Public Law 119-21, 139 Stat. 72 (July 4, 2025), commonly known as the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The OBBBA permanently extended subchapter Z of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and established rigorous information reporting regimes under Code Sec. 6039K and Code Sec. 6039L, backed by severe daily assessable penalties under Code Sec. 6726.

The proposed regulations amend Income Tax Regulations (26 CFR Part 1) under Code Secs. 1400Z-2, 6039K, 6039L, and 6045, as well as Procedure and Administration Regulations (26 CFR Part 301) under Code Secs. 6011, 6037, 6722, 6724, and 6726. Treasury issued these proposed rules pursuant to express delegations of statutory authority under Code Sec. 1400Z-2(e)(4) (authorizing certification rules for Qualified Opportunity Funds (QOFs) and anti-abuse provisions); Code Sec. 6039K(a), (b)(9), and (c) (prescribing annual QOF returns and investor disposition statements); Code Sec. 6039L(a) (mandating operational disclosures from Qualified Opportunity Zone Businesses (QOZBs) to QOFs); Code Sec. 6045(a) (governing broker information reporting); and Code Sec. 7805 (general rulemaking authority).

For tax professionals—specifically CPAs and Enrolled Agents (EAs) advising QOFs, QOZBs, and opportunity zone investors—these proposed regulations fundamentally alter the compliance landscape. The regulations convert Form 8996 (Qualified Opportunity Fund) into an independent annual information return, establish exclusive procedural mechanics for voluntary QOF decertification and inadvertent election revocation, create mandatory inter-entity reporting flows between QOZBs and QOFs, and enforce compliance through non-waivable per-day administrative penalties.