ARTICLES

A recent press release by the IRS addressed the Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2024 (Oct. 1, 2023 – Sept. 30, 2024) Data Book, describing the Agency’s activities. For the first time, revenue collected exceeded 5 trillion dollars, accounting for 96% of total government revenue. The IRS’s expenditures to collect over $5 trillion were $18.2 billion for overall operations in FY 2024, with 90,516 full-time equivalent employees.

When people hear “estate planning,” they often picture wealthy individuals with sprawling mansions and complex assets. But the truth is, everyone — regardless of income, age, or family size — can benefit from having an estate plan.

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued a press release addressing the IRS Whistleblower Office’s publishing its first-ever multi-year operating plan that outlines its guiding principles, strategic priorities, recent achievements, and current initiatives to advance the IRS Whistleblower Program.

If enacted, the Junk Fee Ban Act would protect consumers from hidden fees and promote fair business practices in Illinois. While there has yet to be legislation in the proposed Junk Fee Ban Act that excludes dealerships, it will be important to look for future updates on this bill, as Illinois is quickly becoming a hub for vehicle innovation and automotive plant expansion.

When someone passes away owning property in another state, their estate may need to go through ancillary probate—a secondary court process in that state.

A Type F reorganization (“F Reorg”), governed by Section 368(a)(1)(F) of the Internal Revenue Code, provides a strategically significant mechanism for corporate restructuring. Defined as a “mere change in identity, form, or place of organization of one corporation,” an F Reorg permits a corporation to alter its legal existence while being treated for federal tax purposes as the same entity. This recharacterization allows for the uninterrupted preservation of tax attributes while maintaining shareholder continuity.

When it comes to estate planning, most people think about providing for their loved ones—but what about the furry, feathered, or scaled members of your family? In the United States, 68% of households own at least one pet, according to the American Pet Products Association’s 2023-2024 National Pet Owners Survey. For many, pets are more than just companions—they’re family. Ensuring their care after your death or incapacity is a vital part of comprehensive estate planning. In Illinois, a Pet Trust offers a powerful solution to guarantee your pet’s well-being long after you’re gone.

IRS Press Release Addresses Payment Plan Options - A recent press release by the IRS addressed the options that are available to taxpayers who may owe more on April 15th than they can pay. The IRS advised taxpayers that they do not need to wait until April 15 to file their 2024 federal return, and if they owe and are unable to pay the balance in full, there are payment plans available to help them pay their tax obligation.

On March 21, 2025, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) issued its interim final rule stating that those entities previously classified as "domestic reporting companies" are now exempt from all BOI reporting requirements. On the other hand, all foreign entities registered to do business in the USA must file their own initial BOI reports within 30 days of the initial final rule's publication, if they have not done so already.