Compliance

The IRS will post quarterly updates of its enforcement strategy on the webpage of the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division-Compliance Programs and Priorities.

A painful reality of the current environment is that headcount is a target for cost reduction despite that demands have never been greater — compliance, client demands and the need to access and leverage data and information to avoid a competitive disadvantage.

The Financial Accounting Foundation abandoned its tradition of selecting a state auditor to chair the Governmental Accounting Standards Board.

Some smaller firms are deciding to qualify more than half of their municipal advisor principals as a sort of backup plan.

The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board assigned muni market veterans to give input on rules and transparency related to municipal fund securities.

The council suggested the VCAP program would remain in place for issuers who need a legally binding agreement, but would become the third tier of a system that would offer two simpler options.

Public safety and jail bonds, sinking fund overfunding and variable rate bonds are the top IRS compliance and enforcement priorities for the municipal bond market in fiscal 2020.

The cloud-based debt management and reporting service hired Mark Campbell as head of western region client management.

At a bond lawyer conference, lawyers said they've seen increased interest in self-reporting.

The Treasury and Internal Revenue Service sent the final regulation to the White House Office of Management and Budget over six weeks ago.

The announcement comes after several news reports that Stephen Moore would not back down from his anticipated nomination to serve on the Fed despite growing concerns from Republican senators.

The groups plan to address advertising, defining duties for non-solicitor muni advisors and test prepping during the program.

The Treasury Department Inspector General for Tax Administration plans to audit the IRS' use of a much-feared enforcement tool under which it can impose penalties for the misconduct of municipal bond transaction participants such as underwriters, lawyers, municipal advisors or their firms.

The Bond Dealers of America has formed a Fixed Income Market Structure Working Group to advise regulators, lawmakers and market participants on structural changes in the fixed income industry and marketplace.

An advisory panel suggested modifying the fee structure for tax law violations to encourage more issuers to self-report them.

The Securities and Exchange Commission's decision not to extend the effective date of new markup disclosure requirements is disappointing to dealer groups, which have pushed hard for months for a delay.

Lanny Schwartz brings varied experience to a new role at the MSRB, including with the derivatives that could be poised to make a comeback because of the prohibition on advance refundings.

From inappropriate touching to belittling comments, women advisors confront workplace environments that are far from welcoming.

A sweeping bank regulatory bill under debate in the Senate is very close to achieving something the muni market has been fighting for since 2014: the inclusion of municipal bonds as high-quality liquid assets.

As bond lawyers meeting in Phoenix discussed current topics in securities law and enforcement on Thursday, one theme that emerged was the importance of a smart response to SEC inquiries.