Tax Trending Topics

To help with your writing efforts, here’s what people are looking for in Tax Law online. Trending topics culled from JD Supra, search analytics, social media conversations, and other sources:

Consumer Lawsuits Mount Over Companies’ Response to Tariffs 

Consider writing about:

Lawsuits that consumers are filing against companies over the Trump administration’s tariffs and related refunds that companies are pursuing from the federal government; key claims in the lawsuits; potential obstacles to success for these sorts of claims; how companies can best anticipate and respond to these types of consumer complaints.

Related information:

https://qz.com/nike-consumers-tariff-refund-class-action-050826

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-sued-by-fans-who-want-tariff-refunds/1100-6539543

https://chicago.suntimes.com/money/2026/04/29/illinois-class-action-lawsuit-costco-customers-retailers-tariff-refund

https://www.businessinsider.com/tariff-refunds-set-to-land-customers-sue-for-a-cut-2026-5

Multimillion-Dollar Settlements Reached in Customs Fraud Cases 

Consider writing about:

Recently announced multimillion-dollar settlements in False Claims Act cases involving customs fraud; key allegations in these cases; what these cases may demonstrate regarding custom enforcement trends, how investigations into alleged customs fraud are unfolding (and specifically how the False Claims Act may play a role), and where potential liability risks exist for importers in the current landscape.

Related information:

https://ktla.com/news/california/california-aluminum-companies-to-pay-549m-in-customs-fraud-settlement

https://www.justice.gov/usao-edtn/pr/echelon-fitness-multimedia-llc-agrees-settle-false-claims-act-allegations-2100000

Canada Announces Financial Assistance for Tariff-Hit Industries 

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A new loan program that Canada announced this month for certain industries affected by U.S. tariffs; industries to which the program would apply; what to know about the loan program’s terms, workings, eligibility criteria, or application process; whether other countries hit by Trump administration tariffs are implementing, or considering, similar loan programs for their own industries; what else Canada has been doing to ease tariff-related pressures on its business sector.

Related information:

https://www.reuters.com/business/canada-unveils-c1-billion-dollar-loan-program-tariff-impacted-industries-2026-05-04/

What to Know About Updated IRS FAQs on Educational Assistance Programs 

Consider writing about:

The Internal Revenue Service’s April 20 release of updated FAQs regarding educational assistance programs; how these types of programs operate; what the IRS Fact Sheet clarifies regarding program criteria, assistance rules, and other key points in the wake of changes made by the budget reconciliation measure often referred to as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Related information:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/updates-to-frequently-asked-questions-about-educational-assistance-programs

Tax Issues to Consider Before Selling a Business [Ongoing] 

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Tax impacts of selling a business (generally speaking, or specifically regarding a particular jurisdiction); potential tax obligations to be aware of before putting a business up for sale; how to minimize tax payments in connection with a business sale; common pitfalls or misunderstandings to avoid; tax lessons from any real-life cautionary tales involving the sale of a business.

Is a New Australian Tax in Tech Giants’ Future? 

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A proposal by Australia’s government to tax Google, Meta, and TikTok; rationale behind the tax; how the tax would work and whom it is aimed at benefiting; any precedent for this tax proposal (whether specific to Australia, or globally); potential basis for legal challenges to the Australian tax proposal; how the proposal compares to overall tax trends involving digital services.

Related information:

https://apnews.com/article/australia-tax-meta-google-tiktok-journalism-8022cacf561f2fc254999b04346eac87

Guidance on New Developments Involving IEEPA Tariffs 

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The latest developments of note involving tariffs imposed by the Trump administration under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; where things stand in terms of litigation, and actions by the U.S. Court of International Trade or U.S. Customs and Border Protection or other significant entities; eligibility criteria, deadlines, and other key information that importers need to know before pursuing a refund of tariff-related costs.

Related information:

https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/commodities/article/trump-administration-signals-it-will-offer-broad-tariff-refunds-that-could-mean-millions-for-companies-124645811.html?

Know the Basics of Addressing Back Taxes 

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How to proceed when owing back taxes; options for payment; potential for reducing the financial hit that can arise in conjunction with tax delinquency; possibilities for appeals or amnesty; guidance on communicating with taxing authorities; additional practical tips, do’s and don’ts, or cautionary tales that can illustrate key points.

Wealth Taxes: An Idea Whose Time Has Come? 

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New proposals to implement wealth taxes; where these proposals are catching on (whether in a particular country or regionally or globally); status of the proposals (have any actually been implemented yet?) and how the proposals compare to each other in reach, innovation, or otherwise; prospects (and precedent) for instituting such taxes; what else high-net-worth individuals should know.

A New Tariff Headache for Companies: Lawsuits by Consumers 

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The possibility of consumers filing lawsuits against companies in an effort to be compensated for tariff-triggered price hikes; any analogous situations that may illustrate the feasibility of such lawsuits; how companies can best anticipate and defend against these types of consumer claims; whether companies’ own ability to get tariff refunds would have any bearing on their vulnerability to consumer lawsuits over tariffs’ downstream effects; whether companies should forgo the pursuit of tariff refunds from federal authorities in an attempt to reduce their exposure to consumer claims regarding tariff costs and compensation.

Related information:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxz3xe04yo

https://www.businessinsider.com/fedex-ups-face-lawsuits-customers-tariff-brokerage-fees-2026-3

Last-Minute Tax Tips for Filers Who Are Fighting the Clock 

Consider writing about:

Last-minute advice for individual or business taxpayers who are running behind on their tax returns. Among the possible points to choose from: commonly overlooked deductions or other oversights that tend to crop up with last-minute tax filings; what to do about missing records or problems with professional tax preparers; what to know about payment obligations if filing late; how to spread out payments to the IRS; how to get a filing extension.

How to Avoid a Tax Audit [Ongoing] 

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Common triggers of tax audits, whether of individuals or businesses (in the country of your choice); how to correct or otherwise amend a tax return without attracting unwanted attention; additional information on red flags that authorities look for when examining tax returns or related records.

Practical Guidance on Obtaining Tariff Refunds 

Consider writing about:

The latest developments involving potential refunds on costs stemming from Trump administration tariffs; what to know about the latest court rulings or actions by Customs and Border Protection, and how they may have altered prior thinking on this matter; any important additional information that has yet to be provided from relevant authorities; vital deadlines or other key components of the refund process; steps that importers or other affected parties should be taking now if they want to pursue a tariff-related refund; additional guidance on how to maximize the likelihood of securing a refund.

Tax Obligations and Best Practices for Crowdfunding Recipients [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Tax treatment of proceeds from crowdfunding campaigns; common misconceptions or other potential pitfalls on the part of individual or business recipients of crowdfunding donations; how these funds are regarded by taxation authorities (in the jurisdiction of your choice); best practices as regards recordkeeping, documentation, reporting, etc.

Tax Guidance for First-Time Home Owners [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Tax issues that first-time homebuyers should be paying attention to, whether prior to a property purchase, or after the acquisition of a property, or, down the road, if they decide to sell that property; guidance on tax obligations, credits, and deductions; common oversights or misunderstandings pertaining to real estate-related tax reporting and filing; practical takeaways from any recent or otherwise noteworthy court cases involving homeowners and tax strategies.

Tariff-Related FAQs: What Businesses Need to Know Now 

Consider writing about:

Answers to the top questions you have been getting from clients in the wake of the U..S Supreme Court’s tariff ruling and President Trump’s subsequent actions involving new tariffs. What are the main concerns (or potential misunderstandings) that clients are voicing at this point, or that you foresee as likely to arise on their end? What are the most pressing matters that clients need to understand, especially as regards prospects for tariff-related refunds and any processes for securing them; the legal authority for new tariffs and potential legal challenges to those; and companies’ evolving compliance obligations and risks? Also: What deadlines should companies be aware of amid continued wrangling over President Trump’s tariffs and their consequences?

Related information:

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/23/fedex-trump-trade-tariffs-refunds-supreme-court-lawsuit.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/23/congress-democrats-trump-tariffs.html

IRS, Treasury Release Interim Guidance on Depreciation Allowance 

Consider writing about:

Guidance released last week by the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of the Treasury regarding a depreciation allowance for “qualified production property;” what this type of property consists of; other key criteria for qualifying for this deduction; timeline for proposed regulations pertaining to this deduction.

Related information:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/treasury-irs-issue-guidance-on-special-depreciation-allowance-for-qualified-production-property-announce-upcoming-proposed-regulations-under-the-one-big-beautiful-bill

Tax-Related Scams to Watch Out For 

Consider writing about:

Your choice of familiar or newer tax-related scams, especially those that start popping up more frequently as we approach tax filing deadlines. Take your pick of scams targeting individual taxpayers or businesses in general, or tax professionals in particular. What should taxpayers or their tax advisers be on the lookout for this season, and how might tax-related scams be evolving with increased accessibility to AI systems and other tech tools? What guidance is the Internal Revenue Service or law enforcement offering on these threats, and what additional guidance would you add (whether in terms of precautions or ways to mitigate damage after the fact)?

New Tariffs Threatened in Response to Iran’s Policies 

Consider writing about:

Potential new Iran-related tariffs that are the subject of a recent Executive Order from President Trump; countries or transactions to which the tariffs could apply; potential tariff rates; related enforcement mechanisms; countries or industries that stand to be most affected by any such tariffs.

Will Washington State Implement a Millionaire Tax? 

Consider writing about:

Washington state legislation dubbed the “millionaires’ tax;” what to know about the proposed size and duration of this tax if it passes; whom it would apply to; arguments being made for or against this tax measure; status of Senate Bill 6346 and its prospects for passage; potential for legal challenges to the Washington tax, should it pass; how the Washington legislation compares to existing, previous, or proposed wealth taxes in other jurisdictions; whether momentum is growing (nationally or internationally) for the passage of new or harder-hitting wealth taxes.

Tax-Related Pointers for Expats [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Tax tips for expats. Common tax questions, misunderstandings, or blind spots that may arise for U.S. citizens when living or working outside the United States; related pointers involving tax benefits, credits, obligations, or potential pitfalls; relevant best practices, or related pointers on how to simplify one’s tax reporting process or perhaps minimize one’s tax bill after relocating to another country, whether full-time or part-time.

Takeaways From Ruling in Sirius Solutions Tax Dispute 

Consider writing about:

A recent 5th Circuit decision in a tax dispute involving limited partners; background of, and key issues in, this case; practical implications of the federal appeals court ruling; possible next steps in this case; what else to know about the limited partner exception from self-employment tax.

Related information:

https://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/24/24-60240-CV0.pdf

Tax Issues to Address as Part of the M&A Process [Ongoing] 

Consider writing about:

Tax issues that commonly arise during M&A discussions and in the run-up to potential mergers or acquisitions; related due diligence reminders; how to mitigate tax-related costs, obligations, risks, or other tax-related complications that may occur in connection with M&A deals; plus, additional tax issues that may be triggered by cross-border M&A transactions in particular. Alternatively or additionally, consider reviewing any noteworthy legal disputes involving M&A-related tax issues and using that information as a jumping-off point for presenting useful lessons.

What to Know About Recent IRS Guidance on Retirement Plans 

Consider writing about:

Updated guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service on Jan. 15 regarding retirement plan rollover distributions; reasons for the update; practical takeaways for retirement plan administrators from the IRS guidance; related guidance regarding plan administrator obligations.

Related information:

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/treasury-irs-provide-new-safe-harbor-explanations-for-retirement-plan-administrators

Practical Takeaways From Recent Tariff Evasion Developments 

Consider writing about:

Recent responses by the U.S. Department of Justice to alleged incidents of tariff evasion; outcomes of any significant investigations; related enforcement trends or information from the DOJ; practical guidance on how businesses can best maintain compliance and reduce risk involving tariff-related requirements.

What Taxpayers Should Know About IRS Voluntary Disclosure Program 

Consider writing about:

The Internal Revenue Service’s Voluntary Disclosure Program; its history, focus, and track record; eligibility criteria for taking part in the voluntary disclosure process; pros and cons for taxpayers of participating in this program; how the program may be changing.

Tax Highlights From 2025: Let Us Hear From You 

Consider writing about:

Your choice of five or more noteworthy tax-related developments or trends from 2025. Take your pick of legislation, Trump administration policy, enforcement trends, court rulings, and more. Also consider how much you want to delve into the immediate or longer-term implications of each, with an emphasis on any relevant liability and compliance issues.

What Are the Chances of, and Steps for, Securing a Tariff-Related Refund? 

Consider writing about:

Possibilities for businesses to get refunds on expenses incurred as a result of tariffs that the Trump administration levied under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act; conditions under which a refund scenario might arise; process for pursuing a refund; potential challenges or limitations to be aware of when setting out on this endeavor; how to maximize one’s chances of securing a tariff-related refund.

IRS Releases Guidance on ‘Trump Accounts’ 

Consider writing about:

Guidance released by the Internal Revenue Service on Dec. 2 regarding a new type of retirement savings account created by Congress under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act; how these accounts – branded by the White House as “Trump accounts” — would work in terms of eligibility, initial setup, individual or employer contributions, withdrawals, taxation, and more; what else individuals or employers should know about these accounts before deciding whether to participate in them.

Related information:

https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-25-68.pdf

What’s Happening With the Work Opportunity Tax Credit? 

Consider writing about:

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit; its history, intent, whom it most affects, how it has performed, and how widely used it has been; current status of this tax credit and the prospects of the credit expiring, being revised, or being replaced by a different form of tax relief.