The number of refunds and amount of dollars issued to taxpayers through the tax season through March 30 remained down from totals through March 31, 2017.  Efiles by paid preparers also remained behind the 2017 season for the compared periods. But total returns received and processed have now shown an increase over a year ago for three consecutive weekly reports.

The state of Maryland has stopped processing electronic tax returns for 54 preparers during the current tax season. Comptroller Peter Franchot said late last month his office has blocked returns from 20 more tax preparers at 24 locations in Maryland, Virginia, Texas and California, in addition to 34 previously flagged.

The United States has sued three men who operate Liberty Tax Service stores in stores recruited homeless individuals, promising to get them welfare, and the then filing fraudulent tax returns in their names. The Justice Department seeks to shut down as many as 15 stores operated  by the three and to recoup fees ranging from $650,000 to $1 million.

The Internal Revenue Service has issued guidance for a variety of issues stemming from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. These issues include transition tax on foreign earnings, business interest expense limitations and on withholding on the transfer of partnership interest by foreign persons.