Announcement 2005-80(HTML)
This announcement provides a settlement initiative under which taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service may resolve the tax treatment of certain tax transactions. Taxpayers have until January 23, 2006, to file an election indicating their intent to participate in this initiative.

INCOME TAX

Notice 2005-77(HTML)
This notice announces that Treasury and the Service will amend the regulations under section 6012 of the Code to create a new exception to the filing requirement for nonresident alien individuals who are required to file a return under the present regulations solely because they earn wages that are effectively connected with a United States trade or business.

Rev. Rul. 2005-72(HTML)
2006 covered compensation tables; permitted disparity. The covered compensation tables under section 401 of the Code for the year 2006 are provided for use in determining contributions to defined benefit plans and permitted disparity.

Notice 2005-84(HTML)
Minimum funding standards; disaster relief. As a result of the enactment of section 403(b) of the Katrina Emergency Tax Relief Act of 2005, the Internal Revenue Service, the Employee Benefits Security Administration of the Department of Labor, and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation are providing additional disaster relief pertaining to the minimum funding standards of certain employee benefit plans. Notice 2005-60 superseded.

Notice 2005-76(HTML)
This notice provides new rules for determining the amount of income tax employers must withhold under section 3402 of the Code from wages paid for services performed by nonresident alien employees within the United States. The notice also provides new rules for use by nonresident alien employees in completing Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate. The rules are effective with respect to wages paid on or after January 1, 2006.

Notice 2005-85(HTML)
2006 social security contribution and benefit base; domestic employee coverage threshold. The Commissioner of the Social Security Administration has announced (1) the OASDI contribution and benefit base for remuneration paid in 2006 and self-employment income earned in taxable years beginning in 2006, and (2) the domestic employee coverage threshold amount for 2006.

Notice 2005-79(HTML)
This notice supersedes Notice 2004-57, 2004-2 C.B. 376, while confirming that the Service will continue to assess and collect the tax under section 4251 of the Code on all taxable communications services, including communications services similar to those at issue in American Bankers Insurance Group v. United States, 408 F.3d 1328 (11th Cir. 2005), rev'g 308 F. Supp. 2d 1360 (S.D. Fla. 2004). Notice 2004-57 superseded.

Notice 2005-80(HTML)
This notice provides guidance on certain excise tax provisions that were added or affected by the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act (SAFETEA). This notice also provides additional guidance relating to mechanical dye injection of diesel fuel and kerosene. Notice 2005-4 modified.

Notice 2005-78(HTML)
South Asia earthquake; designation as a qualified disaster. The South Asia earthquake that struck Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan on October 8, 2005, is designated a qualified disaster for purposes of section 139 of the Code.