The Internal Revenue Service has determined that employer-provided cell phones are not taxable fringe benefits. That guidance was issued relating to a provision of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 that removed cell phones from the definition of listed property.

Sales-and-use tax vendor Avalara is ramping up its efforts to reach accountants. The Bainbridge Island, Wash.-based vendor signalled that initiative with the appointment this week of Brian Austin as director of accountant and industry relations.

H&R Block said this week it would not offer a refund anticipation loan program during the 2012 tax. That was something of an academic statement since it did not offer them in 2011 and there's not enough money to go around to all the parties that previously provided RALs with most banks withdrawing or forced out of the market by regulators.

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