The Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee is urging the Internal Revenue Service to take steps to provide greater e-file security and to increase return accuracy. Those were among the recommendations the committee delivered in its annual report to Congress. It also wants legislators to fully fund the Modernized eFile program before the IRS undertakes any technology initiatives.

What tax research services to provide on mobile devices and how to provide them remains the hottest area for vendors offering these applications to tax professionals. But whatever direction the providers take, it's clear that resources available via notebooks and smartphones will expand dramatically this year.

Republic Bancorp, embroiled in a fight with regulators over refund loans, plans to stay in the tax business no matter the outcome, according to CEO Steve Trager. Trager made the comments at a presentation at InvestKY, an equity investment conference held earlier this month.