Tax Brief Issue 9: 2027 HSA Limits, Estate Tax Fee Hike, BBA Penalties, DSUE Portability
Tax Brief

Tax Brief Issue 9: 2027 HSA Limits, Estate Tax Fee Hike, BBA Penalties, DSUE Portability

This week brings key updates including new HSA contribution limits for 2027, proposed fee increases, and important clarifications on partnership and estate…

01. 2027 HSA, HDHP, HRA Limits

  • For calendar year 2027, the annual Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution limit is $4,500 for self-only coverage and $9,000 for family coverage.
  • For 2027, high deductible health plans (HDHPs) must have a minimum deductible of $1,750 (self-only) or $3,500 (family) and out-of-pocket maximums of $8,700 (self-only) or $17,400 (family); the excepted benefit Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) maximum is $2,250.

Source: IRS Internal Revenue Bulletin · 2026-06-15

02. Proposed Estate Tax Fee, 4960 Changes

  • The user fee for an estate tax closing letter (IRS Letter 627) is proposed to increase from $56 to $76.
  • For taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, the Section 4960 'covered employee' definition for tax-exempt organizations expands to reach any current or former employee (employed after December 31, 2016), not just the five highest-compensated; the forthcoming proposed regulations will not provide a 'limited services' exception, though the limited-hours and nonexempt-funds exceptions are expected to continue.

Source: IRS Internal Revenue Bulletin · 2026-06-22

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03. BBA Partnership Accuracy-Related Penalties

  • For BBA partnerships, accuracy-related penalties are computed by treating the partnership as an individual subject to tax for the reviewed year under IRC 6233(a)(3).
  • To determine if an understatement is 'substantial' for a BBA partnership under IRC 6662(d)(1)(A), the tax is calculated by treating the partnership's net income or loss (reflecting adjustments) as taxable income under IRC 1(c) (individual rates, without regard to IRC 1(h)), as per Treas. Reg. § 301.6233(a)-1(c)(2)(iv)(B).

Source: IRS Written Determinations · 2026-06-18

04. DSUE Portability Extension §301.9100-3 Relief

  • Estates not required to file an estate tax return under IRC § 6018(a) can obtain a reasonable extension of time under § 301.9100-3 to elect portability of the deceased spousal unused exclusion (DSUE) amount.
  • Such an extension, if granted, typically provides 120 days from the date of the private letter ruling to file a complete Form 706 and is void if the estate was actually required to file under IRC § 6018(a).

Source: IRS Written Determinations · 2026-06-18

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Iris

Written by Iris

Published on June 22, 2026