This is Current Federal Tax Developments for the week of August 15, 2016 - Seeing if Phish Will Bite.  Current Federal Tax Developments is brought to you by the state CPA societies and Nichols Patrick CPE, Incorporated.

This week we’ll look at the following:

• IRS issues phishing attack masquerading as tax software update being aimed at preparers
• IRS agents ordered not to initiate contact via phone in another situation
• A taxpayer discovers divorce decree determination for claiming exemption irrelevant for federal taxes
• A real estate professional discovers the difference between “not automatically passive” and “materially participating”
• Relief granted to CRATs due to low interest rates
• The Tax Court looks to form over substance in reverse §1031 exchange
• IRS gives guidance on ITIN changes imposed by PATH--and modifies a difficult to administer portion of the Act

An audio version of this week's update can be streamed or downloaded below.

A PDF containing all articles for the items discussed this week is available below.

• 2016-08-15 Current Federal Tax Developments