INCOME TAX

Rev. Rul. 2005–11, page 816. Alternative minimum tax; refinanced mortgage interest. Interest paid on a home mortgage that has been refinanced more than one time is deductible as qualified housing interest for purposes of the alternative minimum tax to the extent the interest on the mortgage that was refinanced is qualified housing interest and the amount of the mortgage indebtedness is not increased.

Rev. Rul. 2005–17, page 823. Frivolous tax returns; Social Security refund. This ruling emphasizes to taxpayers and to promoters and return preparers that there is no right to a refund of, or a deduction for, Social Security taxes paid based on arguments that a taxpayer has waived the right to receive Social Security benefits or has donated Social Security taxes or benefits to the government. These arguments have no merit and are frivolous.

Rev. Rul. 2005–18, page 817. Frivolous tax returns; altering the jurat. This ruling deals with taxpayers who attempt to reduce their federal tax liability by striking or altering the written declaration (the jurat) that verifies that a return, declaration, statement or other document is made under penalties of perjury. The ruling emphasizes to taxpayers and to promoters and return preparers that striking or altering the jurat in a manner that negates its validity invalidates the return.

Rev. Rul. 2005–19, page 819. Frivolous tax returns; constitutionally based arguments. This ruling emphasizes to taxpayers and to promoters and return preparers that a taxpayer cannot avoid income tax by making frivolous constitutionally based arguments.

Finding Lists begin on page ii.