Zach C. Cohen

Filing Taxes Free at IRS Will Change Again, Explained (1) Lawmakers and the IRS have long grappled with how to offer free, online tax filing—and what the role of tax preparation software companies should be.

Lawmakers and the IRS have long grappled with how to offer free, online tax filing—and what the role of tax preparation software companies should be.

Registration is open for the #RunForAustin 5K on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. The run is part of an ongoing campaign to raise awareness for the longest-detained American journalist.

Sign up by Oct. 30 to receive the official race T-shirt. #BringAustinHome

runsignup.com/Race/DC/Wash...

Crypto Titan’s Move to Puerto Rico Spurs Wyden Tax Evasion Probe The founder of $5 billion cryptocurrency hedge fund Pantera Capital is in the crosshairs of US Senate investigators, who allege he may have evaded more than $100 million in capital gains taxes after seeking tax refuge in Puerto Rico.

The founder of $5 billion cryptocurrency hedge fund Pantera Capital is in the crosshairs of US Senate investigators, who allege he may have evaded more than $100 million in capital gains taxes after seeking tax refuge in Puerto Rico.

Cortez Masto Splits from Party on Shutdown, Blazing Moderate Path Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto has shown this year that she’s willing break with most of her party on high-profile votes.

Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto has shown this year that she's willing break with most of her party on high-profile votes.

Press Freedom Center at National Press Club Announces New Additions to Advisory Board WASHINGTON, Oct. 1 – In a critical moment for press freedom around the world, the Press Freedom Center at the National Press Club today announced the addition of three new members to its Advisory Boar...

Today, the Press Freedom Center was proud to announce three new members of our Advisory Board: @caoilfhionn.bsky.social, Sam Feist, and Paul Beckett.

Read the full advisory at the link:

www.press.org/newsroom/pre...

Crypto Tax Relief for Small Transactions Challenges Congress How to craft a new exemption for small crypto transactions will likely complicate the task of crafting bipartisan legislation codifying the tax treatment of digital assets, senators in both parties sa...

My takeaway from today's hearing: Crafting a new de minimis exemption sought by the crypto industry for small transactions will likely complicate the task of crafting bipartisan legislation codifying the tax treatment of digital assets. news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-re...

Ten hours into a government shutdown, the Senate Finance Committee is hosting a pre-scheduled hearing to consider possible changes to the tax treatment of crypto.

Here’s what we’re watching: news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-re...

How a Shutdown Will Hit the IRS and Tax Law Rules, Explained Lawmakers failed to reach a deal before midnight to keep the government funded, but the IRS game plan provides for five days of “normal” operations, with all current staff on board.

Lawmakers failed to reach a deal before midnight to keep the government funded, but the IRS game plan provides for five days of “normal” operations, with all current staff on board.

K Street Still Open for Business as Clients Seek Shutdown Advice The K Street lobbying corridor will stay open for business in a government shutdown with campaigns for clients, from Wall Street banks to airlines and federal contractors, taking new urgency.

The K Street lobbying corridor will stay open for business in a government shutdown with campaigns for clients, from Wall Street banks to airlines and federal contractors, taking new urgency.

Trump Threatens Mass Firings as Federal Shutdown Deadline Nears President Donald Trump threatened to fire scores of federal workers as the US hurtles toward a shutdown with Democrats and Republicans at an impasse to fund the federal government.

GOP leaders are in lockstep, pledging talks on enhanced insurance premium tax credits after government is funded.

Johnson: “Open the government and then we’ll have all the discussions."
Thune: "We can’t even have that discussion until we keep the government open.” www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

Crypto Allies Look to Build on Stablecoin Momentum for Tax Rules Tax writers and their industry allies are hoping to capitalize on recent moves toward regulating cryptocurrencies to draft a new taxation regime for digital assets.

New: Tax writers and their crypto allies hope to leverage a hearing in the Senate Finance Committee tomorrow to build on momentum for a new taxation regime for digital assets, including a suite of key asks from the industry. w/ @reportercioffi.bsky.social news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-re...

IRS to Keep Normal Operations for Five Days in Shutdown Plan (2) The IRS will keep up normal operations for a week if policy makers can’t reach a deal by Wednesday on funding the government, according to an agency contingency plan released Monday.

The IRS will keep up normal operations for a week if policy makers can’t reach a deal by Wednesday on funding the government, thanks to leftover funding from Democrats’ 2022 tax-and-climate law. news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-re...

Trump’s Funding Feuds with Congress Add Strain to Shutdown Fight Months of feuding between the White House and Congress over federal employee layoffs and withholding agency funds have turned this week’s shutdown standoff into a constitutional fight over the power of the purse.

Months of feuding between the White House and Congress over federal employee layoffs and withholding agency funds have turned this week's shutdown standoff into a constitutional fight over the power of the purse.

Trump to Meet Democrats With Both Sides Dug In on Shutdown (1) The top four congressional leaders will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, a day before federal funding would expire if the two parties can’t agree on a short-term spending bill.

The top four congressional leaders will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, a day before federal funding would expire if the two parties can’t agree on a short-term spending bill.

Capitol Hill Staffers Worry Over Missed Pay, Shutdown Impacts Capitol Hill staffers are anxiously girding for a possible government shutdown this week that threatens to reduce their offices’ manpower, multiply their workloads and halt their pay.

Capitol Hill staffers are anxiously girding for a possible government shutdown this week that threatens to reduce their offices' manpower, multiply their workloads and halt their pay.

ACA Enrollment Drop for 2026 Predicted Unless Congress Acts Soon Democrats are demanding the extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits as part of a deal to avert a government shutdown starting Wednesday. Without such an extension, enrollees would face a more than 75% increase in out-of-pocket premium, according to a KFF-Peterson Center on Healthcare analysis.

Democrats are demanding the extension of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits as part of a deal to avert a government shutdown starting Wednesday.

Senate GOP Aims for Tuesday Vote on Stopgap as Shutdown Looms Senate Republicans are gearing up to hold another vote on a stopgap measure just hours before the deadline to fund the government.

Senate Republicans are gearing up to hold another vote on a stopgap measure just hours before the deadline to fund the government.

Brain Drain at IRS Chief Counsel to Stymie GOP Tax Law Rollout A smooth rollout of President Donald Trump’s multitrillion-dollar tax-and-spending law hangs on the IRS’s legal department, which lost hundreds of workers prodded by administration resignation offers.

A smooth rollout of President Donald Trump’s multitrillion-dollar tax-and-spending law hangs on the IRS’s legal department, which lost hundreds of workers prodded by administration resignation offers.

After a weeklong recess, Congress is no closer to fending off a government shutdown.

Stay up to date with the latest shutdown news: bit.ly/3KihGa5

Hakeem Jeffries thinks Democrats are strongly positioned in a shutdown fight with President Donald Trump — especially with health care at the center of the argument.

More of Jeffries' exclusive interview:
bit.ly/3VwOSgm

White House Tells Agencies to Prep for Job Cuts in Shutdown (2) The White House budget office is telling federal agencies to prepare plans for mass firings during a possible government shutdown.

The White House budget office is telling federal agencies to prepare plans for mass firings during a possible government shutdown.

GOP ‘Irresponsible’ to Recess Ahead of Shutdown, Jeffries Says House Republicans’ decision to recess days before federal funding lapses means they will “publicly” own a government shutdown, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said.

House Republicans' decision to recess days before federal funding lapses means they will "publicly" own a government shutdown, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said.

I had the honor of meeting @alsuk.bsky.social a few months after she was released from her unjust detention in Russia. Now you can, too!

Join us Oct. 7 for a reception celebrating @pfc-npc.bsky.social and its vital work supporting journalists like Alsu.

RSVP: www.press.org/events/press...

When Trump tried to dismantle VOA with an EO in March, a group of employees including VOA journalists Patsy Widakuswara & Jessica Jerreat sued the Trump admin, alongside @afscme.bsky.social, AFGE, @afsaorg.bsky.social, @newsguild.org & @rsf.org. Patsy & Jessica explain why they fight to save VOA.

Registration is now open for the 2025 Run for Austin Tice virtual 5k!

Run from anywhere on Saturday, November 8 to show your support for Austin, a journalist who has been wrongfully detained for over a decade.

runsignup.com/Race/DC/Wash...

Trump Says Democrats Must Drop Shutdown Demands Before Meeting President Donald Trump said that Democrats must drop their demands to renew health care subsidies and roll back Medicaid cuts before he will meet with Democratic party leaders to talk about a looming federal shutdown deadline.

President Donald Trump said that Democrats must drop their demands to renew health care subsidies and roll back Medicaid cuts before he will meet with Democratic party leaders to talk about a looming federal shutdown deadline.

House Committee Advances Tax Court, Penalty Approval Bills House tax writers advanced two measures Wednesday aimed at improving US Tax Court operations and clarifying rules for supervisory approval of IRS penalty assessments.

New: House tax writers advanced two measures Wednesday aimed at improving US Tax Court operations and clarifying rules for supervisory approval of IRS penalty assessments.

Tax Writers Seek Stable Leadership at Tumultuous IRS: BGOV Tax Key senators are seeking more stability at the top of the IRS after the abrupt departure last month of its commissioner Billy Long.

Senators tasked with approving the next IRS commissioner hope Trump’s eventual pick sticks around longer than Billy Long or the acting heads this year have.

Or, in their words, some “stick-to-it-ness” and “somebody who can last longer than two months.” news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-re...

Insurance Tax Credits On the Line in Shutdown Talks: BGOV Tax Extension of enhanced premium tax credits is one high-profile and potential sweetener that could be added to a spending bill to get enough Democrats on board in the Senate to prevent a government…

How or whether Congress extends the boost to health insurance tax credits is central to Congress’s nail-biter negotiations over a government funding bill.

In this morning’s newsletter, where things stand on ACA subsidies ahead of a pivotal week on DC: news.bloombergtax.com/daily-tax-re...