New regs for Thursday: Trucks, pipelines, disguised payments

Thursday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new tax rules for disguised payments, pipeline safety standards, truck safety standards, and non-discrimination requirements.

Here’s what is happening:

Taxes: The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is proposing to root out disguised payments for services.

The proposed rules address disguised payments between partners.

The public has 90 days to comment.

Pipeline safety: The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is moving forward with new excavation damage prevention rules.

The new pipeline safety rules will give the federal government the ability to go after companies in states with lax laws.

The rules go into effect on Jan. 1, 2016.

Non-discrimination: The Department of Labor is moving forward with new non-discrimination and equal opportunity rules.

The non-discrimination requirements will apply to organizations that receive financial assistance from the agency.

The rules go into effect immediately.

Trucks: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is considering new truck safety standards.

The agency is issuing an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking to require rear impact, or underride, guards on trucks. These would better protect other vehicles in the event of a collision.

The public has 60 days to comment.