| IR-2001-121 |
Dec. 21, 2001 |
| IRS Announces New Disclosure Initiative on Tax Shelters |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today a disclosure initiative that is aimed at encouraging taxpayers to disclose tax shelters and other questionable items reported on their tax returns. |
| IR-2001-120 |
Dec. 20, 2001 |
| Some U.S. Tax Court Petitions Delayed by Anthrax Precautions |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today that some taxpayers who have filed petitions with the U.S. Tax Court may inadvertently receive collection notices because of mail delayed at the Brentwood postal facility in Washington D.C. due to anthrax contamination. |
| IR-2001-119 |
Dec. 18, 2001 |
| Daily IRS Tax Tips Available for 2002 Filing Season |
| The Internal Revenue Service will again offer a daily series of Tax Tips for the 2002 filing season beginning January 2, 2002. IRS Tax Tips will offer concise, useful information on topics affecting millions of taxpayers. |
| IR-2001-118 |
Dec. 17, 2001 |
| IRS E-File Posts High Marks in Customer Satisfaction Survey |
| A government-wide survey released today indicated the Internal Revenue Service has significantly improved customer satisfaction among individual taxpayers, especially among those who file their returns electronically. |
| IR-2001-117 |
Dec. 12, 2001 |
| IRS Selects Director for Electronic Commerce In The Large & Mid-Size Business, International, Division |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today the appointment of James R. Eads, Jr., as the Director, Electronic Commerce, in its Large and Mid-Size Business, International, Division. |
| IR-2001-116 |
Dec. 12, 2001 |
| �News for You 2002� Highlights Tax Law & IRS Changes |
| The Internal Revenue Service today unveiled information on tax changes to help the public prepare for the upcoming filing season. |
| IR-2001-115 |
Dec. 11, 2001 |
| Pension Plan Limitations for Tax Year 2002 |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the dollar limitations applicable to pension plans that become effective January 1, 2002 under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2001 (EGTRRA), and cost-of-living adjustments applicable to dollar limitations for pension plans and other items for Tax Year 2002. |
| IR-2001-114 |
Dec. 10, 2001 |
| IRS Lets More Small Businesses Use Cash Method of Accounting |
| The Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department will allow certain small businesses with gross receipts up $10 million or less to use the cash method of accounting for their income and expenses. |
| IR-2001-113 |
Dec. 5, 2001 |
| Interest Rates Lower for First Quarter of 2002 |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates for the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2002, will be lowered by one percentage point in each category to: six (6) percent for overpayments [five (5) percent in the case of a corporation]; six (6) percent for underpayments; eight (8) percent for large corporate underpayments; and three and one-half (3.5) percent for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000. |
| IR-2001-112 |
Dec. 3, 2001 |
| IRS & State Charity Officials Urge Care When Making a Car Donation |
| The Internal Revenue Service and state charity officials issued a consumer alert today to help taxpayers avoid potential pitfalls when they donate their automobiles to charities. |
| IR-2001-111 |
Nov. 29, 2001 |
| IRS Provides First Round of Issue Resolution Guidance |
| Using the innovative Industry Issue Resolution Program, the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Treasury today announced tax guidance on three issues involving demonstration vehicles used by auto dealership employees, the bad debt conformity election for banks, and golf course construction costs. |
| IR-2001-110 |
Nov. 28, 2001 |
| IRS Advises Tax Professionals to Apply Soon for E-Filing |
| The Internal Revenue Service advises tax professionals who would like to e-file tax returns for their clients during 2002 to file their applications soon. The form must be submitted by those new to the e-file program and by those who need to update prior applications. |
| IR-2001-109 |
Nov. 14, 2001 |
| IRS Launches Fast Track Dispute Resolution Pilot |
| The Internal Revenue Service today launched a pilot program aimed at cutting the time it takes to resolve disputes between the tax agency and corporate taxpayers. |
| IR-2001-108 |
Nov. 9, 2001 |
| U.S., Luxembourg Agree on Interpretation of Tax Treaty�s Transition Rules |
| The competent authorities of the United States and Luxembourg have entered into a mutual agreement concerning the interpretation of the transition rules set forth in Article 30 (Entry Into Force) of the Convention Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with Respect to Taxes on Income and Capital, signed at Luxembourg on April 3, 1996 and entered into force on December 20, 2000 (the “Treaty” or “1996 Treaty”). |
| IR-2001-107 |
Nov. 7, 2001 |
| Employees Should Plan 2002 Retirement Contributions Now to Get Full Benefit of the New Saver�s Tax Credit |
| Qualifying employees should make plans now to benefit from the new Saver´s Credit next year, the Internal Revenue Service advises. This tax credit, which will be available only from 2002 through 2006, will help offset the cost of the first $2,000 contributed to IRAs, 401(k)s and certain other retirement plans. |
| IR-2001-106 |
Nov. 6, 2001 |
| IRS Announces 2002 Standard Mileage Rates |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the optional standard mileage rates to use for 2002 in computing the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving expense purposes. |
| IR-2001-105 |
Nov. 2, 2001 |
| IRS Expands Tax Relief for those Affected by Sept. 11th Attack |
| The Internal Revenue Service issued guidance today supplementing the tax relief it earlier granted to taxpayers affected by the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. The new measures in Notice 2001-68 extend additional tax deadlines for certain “affected taxpayers.” |
| IR-2001-104 |
Nov. 1, 2001 |
| IRS Selects Senior Industry Advisor for Large & Mid-Size Heavy Manufacturing & Transportation Industry |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today the appointment of Robert D. Adams as Senior Industry Advisor to the Large and Mid-Size Business (LMSB) division overseeing heavy manufacturing and transportation. He will be based in Iselin, New Jersey. |
| IR-2001-103 |
Oct. 30, 2001 |
| Millions in Tax Checks Returned to IRS, Agency Urges People to Act Before Dec. 5 |
| The Internal Revenue Service is urging more than 390,000 Americans whose income tax refund or advance payment checks have been returned to the agency to act now so their checks can be processed and mailed to them by the end of December. |
| IR-2001-102 |
Oct. 23, 2001 |
| IRS National Problem Solving Day Set for November 3 |
| The Internal Revenue Service will hold a Problem Solving Day on Saturday, November 3, especially for taxpayers who need to resolve federal tax issues and can´t take advantage of weekday problem-solving service. |
| IR-2001-101 |
Oct. 23, 2001 |
| IRS & George Washington University Sponsor Institute
on International Tax Issues |
| The Internal Revenue Service and The George Washington University are jointly sponsoring the Fourteenth Annual Institute on Current Issues on International Taxation, to be held on December 13 and 14, 2001, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC. Registration is currently underway for the Institute, which is intended for international tax professionals. |
| IR-2001-100 |
Oct. 17, 2001 |
| IRS Expands Information Technology Staff, Selects Colleen Leighty to Oversee Computer System Customer Service |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today the selection of Colleen Leighty as the technology executive responsible for improving the quality of customer service provided to users of the agency´s information systems. |
| IR-2001-99 |
Oct. 16, 2001 |
| IRS Announces Online Application Process for Federal Agents |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the availability of an online job application process for Criminal Investigation special agent positions. IRS hopes to hire more than 300 people for these federal agent positions in fiscal year 2002. |
| IR-2001-98 |
Oct. 12, 2001 |
| IRS Issues Summer 2001 Statistics of Income Bulletin |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the release of the Summer 2001 issue of the Statistics of Income Bulletin. It provides detailed statistical information on corporation income tax returns, foreign-controlled domestic corporations, sole proprietorships, the largest class of private foundations and trends in the capital gains and losses of individuals. |
| IR-2001-97 |
Oct. 12, 2001 |
| IRS Releases Inaugural Continuing Professional Education Text for Tax Exempt Bonds |
| The Internal Revenue Service recently issued the text of educational training material for its Tax Exempt Bonds (TEB) revenue agents. This text for Fiscal Year 2002 represents the inaugural edition of the Continuing Professional Education Technical Instruction Program for Tax Exempt Bonds – also known as the TEB CPE text. |
| IR-2001-96 |
Oct. 11, 2001 |
| IRS Provides Tax Information for Donors & Charities that Provide Disaster Relief |
| With the tremendous outpouring of support for charities following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Internal Revenue Service today reminded donors and charities about tax laws that may affect them and their contributions |
| IR-2001-95 |
Oct. 5, 2001 |
| Lois G. Lerner Joins IRS as Director of Exempt Organizations, Rulings & Agreements |
| Lois G. Lerner has joined the Internal Revenue Service as Director of Rulings and Agreements for Exempt Organizations, part of the IRS´s Tax Exempt and Government Entities division (TE/GE). Lerner comes to the IRS from the Federal Election Commission (FEC), where she most recently served as Acting General Counsel. Before December 2000, she served as Associate General Counsel for Enforcement at the FEC. |
| IR-2001-94 |
Oct. 4, 2001 |
| IRS Provides Extensions to Tax Exempt Bond Issuers Affected by September 11 Terrorist Attacks |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced that it will provide issuers of tax exempt bonds affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks with additional time to file certain information returns and arbitrage rebate returns. |
| IR-2001-93 |
Oct. 4, 2001 |
| IRS Releases New Continuing Professional Education Text for Exempt Organizations |
| The Internal Revenue Service today issued the text of educational training material for its Exempt Organizations agents that includes articles on campaign activities and Form 990 details |
| IR-2001-92 |
Oct. 4, 2001 |
| Reservists, New Enlistees May Get Deferral for Back Taxes |
| The Internal Revenue Service reminded reservists called to active duty and new enlistees in the armed forces that they might qualify for a deferral of taxes owed if they can show that their ability to pay the taxes is impaired because of their military service. The Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act provides this benefit. |
| IR-2001-91 |
Oct. 4, 2001 |
| New Tax-Exempt Organizations Now Listed on the IRS Web Site |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today that new tax-exempt charitable organizations formed to help victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks are now posted on the IRS web site. |
| IR-2001-90 |
Oct. 4, 2001 |
| Corporations May Get Early Refunds of Estimated Taxes Paid |
| The Internal Revenue Service reminded corporate taxpayers that they may claim a quick refund of estimated tax overpayments before they even file their tax return. This could help fiscal year filers whose expected profits were reduced or eliminated by the September 11 terrorist attacks or by other conditions. |
| IR-2001-89 |
Oct. 1, 2001 |
| Encourages Social Security Recipients to Resolve Federal Tax Debts |
| The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert today encouraging older Americans and others who receive Social Security payments to resolve any long-term unpaid federal tax bills now to avoid having their benefit payments reduced next year. |
| IR-2001-88 |
Sept. 28, 2001 |
| IRS Expands Information Technology Staff, Selects Stan Ratcliffe to Manage Critical Transition Projects |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today the selection of Stan Ratcliffe as Project Director, Transition Management for the agency´s division overseeing computer modernization. |
| IR-2001-87 |
Sept. 26, 2001 |
| Disaster Area Taxpayers May Get Quick Refunds by Claiming Casualty Losses on Amended Returns |
| The Internal Revenue Service reminded taxpayers who suffered property losses because of the September 11 terrorist attacks that they may get a quick tax refund by claiming these losses on an amended return for 2000. |
| IR-2001-86 |
Sept. 26, 2001 |
| Data Book Details IRS Numbers Shows Collection Costs Down, Charitable Groups Grow |
| The Internal Revenue Service´s cost for collecting each $100 of tax revenue reached the lowest point since 1954, according to the new IRS Data Book for Fiscal Year 2000. |
| IR-2001-85 |
Sept. 25, 2001 |
| IRS Creates Voluntary Closing Agreement Program for Tax Exempt Bonds, Seeks Comments |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced a new voluntary closing agreement program for tax-exempt bonds. The Tax Exempt Bonds Voluntary Closing Agreement Program – or “TEB VCAP” -- will allow bond issuers and conduit borrowers to correct violations of the tax law and regulations on tax-exempt bonds when the current regulations and existing tax-exempt bond closing agreement programs do not provide a remedy. |
| IR-2001-84 |
Sept. 24, 2001 |
| IRS Creates Disaster Relief Toll-Free Number |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today the establishment of a special toll-free telephone number for taxpayers whose ability to meet their federal tax obligations has been affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks. People with tax issues related to the attacks can call 1-866-562-5227. |
| IR-2001-83 |
Sept. 20, 2001 |
| Businesses Can E-Mail Disaster Questions |
| The Internal Revenue Service today activated an electronic mailbox to provide assistance and answers to business taxpayers affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks. Businesses can send their questions to [email protected]. |
| IR-2001-82 |
Sept. 18, 2001 |
| IRS Provides Information & Assistance to Charitable Organizations Helping Disaster Victims; Agency Expedites Tax-Exempt Status Requests |
| The Internal Revenue Service today released new information to help the public use charitable organizations and announced it will speed processing of requests for tax-exempt status from new charities formed to assist victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks. |
| IR-2001-81 |
Sept. 13, 2001 |
| Treasury, IRS Announce Relief for Victims of Attacks |
| The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service today announced initial administrative tax relief for individual and business taxpayers who are unable to meet their federal tax obligations because they were affected by Tuesday´s terrorist attacks. |
| IR-2001-80 |
Sept. 13, 2001 |
| IRS Announce the Quarterly Interest Rates |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates for the calendar quarter beginning October 1, 2001, will remain at seven (7) percent for overpayments six (6) percent in the case of a corporation), seven (7) percent for underpayments, and nine (9) percent for large corporate underpayments. The overpayment rate for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000 will be four and one-half (4.5) percent. |
| IR-2001-79 |
Sept. 12, 2001 |
| Treasury, IRS Work to Provide Relief for Victims of Attack |
| Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles O. Rossotti today waived failure to deposit penalties for air transportation taxes due to be deposited Sept. 12. Those penalties will be waived if deposits are made by Wednesday, Sept. 26. The IRS will re-evaluate the duration of this relief as circumstances warrant. |
| IR-2001-78 |
Sept. 7, 2001 |
| IRS Encourages Federal Employees to Resolve Federal Tax Debts |
| The Internal Revenue Service is encouraging federal employees to resolve any long-term unpaid federal tax bills now to avoid having their federal salaries levied. |
| IR-2001-77 |
Sept. 6, 2001 |
| U.S. Treasury, IRS Launch Online Option for Paying Federal Taxes |
| Treasury Deputy Secretary Ken Dam, Commissioner Charles O. Rossotti of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Commissioner Richard L. Gregg of the Financial. |
| IR-2001-76 |
Sept. 4, 2001 |
| New Members Selected for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the selection of seven new members of the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee. The group serves as a public forum for discussion of Electronic Tax Administration issues and supports the goal of increasing electronic interaction between taxpayers and the IRS. |
| IR-2001-75 |
Aug. 30, 2001 |
| Holocaust Survivors May Exclude Certain Restitution Payments from Income |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today it will implement safeguards to ensure that Holocaust victims, their heirs or estates receive the full benefit of restitution payments currently being made by European governments and industries. |
| IR-2001-74 |
Aug. 28, 2001 |
| Merrill Lynch Tax Shelter Registration Penalty Announcement |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today that it has reached an agreement with Merrill Lynch resolving issues relating to tax shelter registration penalties under I.R.C. §§ 6700, 6701, 6707 and 6708 with respect to certain contingent installment sale note transactions in which Merrill Lynch participated in 1989 and 1990. |
| IR-2001-73 |
Aug. 24, 2001 |
| IRS Debunks Frivolous Tax Arguments |
| The Internal Revenue Service has published a new 25-page legal summary addressing false arguments about the legality of not paying taxes or filing returns. |
| IR-2001-72 |
Aug. 22, 2001 |
| Modernized Communication System Goes Live to Serve Taxpayers More Efficiently |
| The Internal Revenue Service has improved its ability to receive, route and respond to the more than 150 million taxpayer telephone calls it receives each year by merging a modernized communication system into its daily operations. |
| IR-2001-71 |
Aug. 21, 2001 |
| Checkbox Option Big Hit with Taxpayers in First Year |
| In its first year, nearly 21 million taxpayers marked the checkbox on their tax return, which allowed tax practitioners to talk directly with the Internal Revenue Service to solve processing issues. |
| IR-2001-70 |
Aug. 14, 2001 |
| Wednesday Tax Deadline for 8 Million Extension Filers |
| Most taxpayers have already filed their tax year 2000 federal income tax returns. But for the almost 8 million taxpayers who opted for the automatic extension of time to file, the deadline is Wednesday. August 15 is the due date for these taxpayers to file their tax returns for 2000. |
| IR-2001-69 |
Aug. 9, 2001 |
| IRS Announces New Director of Research |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today that Dr. Eric J. Toder will join the agency as Director of the National Headquarters Office of Research. Toder will begin this position on August 13. |
| IR-2001-68 |
Aug. 1, 2001 |
| IRS Teams to Get Input from Small Businesses, Tax Practitioners to Improve Audit Process |
| The Internal Revenue Service is looking to improve the audit process for the nation´s small business owners and self-employed individuals. IRS teams working on the new initiative, called the Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) Exam Reengineering Project, will be contacting members of small business and tax practitioner groups to get feedback and suggestions about the agency´s exam process. |
| IR-2001-67 |
July 27, 2001 |
| Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About the Advance Payment Mailout |
| The Treasury Department will send out 8 million advance payment checks today, marking the second week of a mass mailing that is expected to continue until the end of September. This week's checks are worth about $3.4 billion. |
| IR-2001-66 |
July 26, 2001 |
| IRS Begins Mailing Annual Installment Agreement Account Statements |
| The Internal Revenue Service has started mailing approximately 5.7 million Annual Installment Agreement Statements to business taxpayers, individual taxpayers, their spouses and their representatives about their installment agreements. The mailings began earlier this month and will be completed by September 1. |
| IR-2001-65 |
July 17, 2001 |
| IRS Accepting Grant Applications for Low-Income Taxpayer Clinics |
| Organizations providing low-cost legal assistance to people involved in tax disputes can apply for grants worth up to $100,000 for the calendar year 2002 grant cycle, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. Grants are also available for programs that assist taxpayers for whom English is a second language. |
| IR-2001-64 |
July 16, 2001 |
| Notices about Advance Payment Checks Hit the Mail |
| About 112 million taxpayers will begin receiving notices in the next several days from the Internal Revenue Service, providing details about the upcoming advance payment checks. |
| IR-2001-63 |
July 16, 2001 |
| Advisory Committee on Tax Exempt & Government Entities Holds Kick-Off Meeting |
| On June 25 and 26, 2001, the new Tax Exempt and Government Entities Advisory Committee held its first orientation session to begin the process of identifying tax administration issues on which to offer advice to the Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TE/GE) Division of the IRS. The members also addressed organizational and procedural issues and selected their Chair. |
| IR-2001-62 |
July 10, 2001 |
| National Taxpayer Advocate Outlines Vision, Plans For 2002 In Report To Congress |
| In her first report to Congress, National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson outlined her vision for the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) during the upcoming year. |
| IR-2001-61 |
July 9, 2001 |
| Tax Fraud Focus of New IRS Criminal Investigation Web Section |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced the establishment of a Web section designed to alert taxpayers and tax practitioners to tax scams and fraud schemes. |
| IR-2001-60 |
July 3, 2001 |
| IRS Issues Spring 2001 Statistics of Income Bulletin |
| Preliminary statistics for Tax Year 1999 released by the Internal Revenue Service today in the Spring 2001 issue of the Statistics of Income Bulletin indicate that taxpayers filed 127.1 million U.S. individual income tax returns for 1999, an increase of 1.9 percent from the 124.7 million returns filed for 1998. |
| IR-2001-59 |
June 27, 2001 |
| �Day in Court� May Be Costly for Frivolous Tax Case Filers |
| Getting their “day in court” has been an expensive proposition for some people who have recently faced stiff penalties from the Tax Court, Appeals Courts and District Courts for pursuing frivolous tax cases. The Internal Revenue Service warns that the courts are sending a clear message to others who may be considering such positions � they do so at their own risk. |
| IR-2001-58 |
June 8, 2001 |
| IRS Announces Decline in Quarterly Interest Rates |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates for the calendar quarter beginning July 1, 2001, will drop one percentage point to seven (7) percent for overpayments (six (6) percent in the case of a corporation), seven (7) percent for underpayments, and nine (9) percent for large corporate underpayments. The overpayment rate for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000 will be four and one-half (4.5) percent. |
| IR-2001-57 |
June 7, 2001 |
| Advance Payment Checks Begin this Summer; IRS Informs Taxpayers of Amount by Mid-July |
| The Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department will begin sending out advance payments later this summer under a new tax law passed by Congress and signed by President Bush. |
| IR-2001-56 |
June 4, 2001 |
| $128 Million Released for Systems Modernization; IRS Strategy Moves Forward |
| Congressional leaders have approved the release of $128 million for the continued funding of the Internal Revenue Service's Business Systems Modernization program. |
| IR-2001-55 |
June 4, 2001 |
| IRS to Survey Business Community about Compliance Burden |
| As part of a continuing effort to improve service, the Internal Revenue Service is conducting a survey to measure the time and cost burden placed on business taxpayers in complying with federal income tax laws and regulations. |
| IR-2001-54 |
May 31, 2001 |
| US & France Agree on Taxation of French Social Security |
| The Competent Authorities of the United States and France reached a mutual agreement on the tax treatment of contributions to, and distributions from, the French social security regime (Basic Plan and Complementary Plans). The agreement clarifies the application of Article 18 of the Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the French Republic for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Capital (the “Treaty”), signed on August 31, 1994, and entered into force on December 30, 1995. |
| IR-2001-53 |
May 30, 2001 |
| IRS Holds Nationwide Tax Forums in Six Cities |
| The Internal Revenue Service will host six Nationwide Tax Forums for the tax professional community. This year�s forums begin in July. The three-day programs include a variety of seminars designed to provide the tax professional community with the latest and most complete information on IRS programs, practices and policies and the most recent Electronic Tax Administration (ETA) initiatives. |
| IR-2001-52 |
May 29, 2001 |
| National Problem Solving Day Set for June 16, Saturday Session Expands Service for Taxpayers |
| In the continuing effort to raise its standard of service to taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service will hold a National Problem Solving Day on Saturday, June 16. |
| IR-2001-51 |
May 14, 2001 |
| Bratton to Fill Leadership Roles for Communications, Governmental Liaison & Disclosure |
| The Internal Revenue Service has selected Delena Bratton to be Deputy Chief, Communications and Liaison (C & L) and Director, Governmental Liaison and Disclosure (GLD). |
| IR-2001-50 |
May 8, 2001 |
| Members Selected for New IRS Tax Exempt Advisory Committee |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the selection of the 18 members of the first Tax Exempt/Government Entities Advisory Committee (TEAC). The group will serve as an organized public forum for the IRS and representatives who deal with employee plans, exempt organizations, tax-exempt bonds, and federal, state, local and Indian tribal governments. The TEAC will allow the IRS to receive regular input on administrative policy and programs affecting these customer groups. |
| IR-2001-49 |
April 26, 2001 |
| IRS Filing Season one of the Best Ever; E-Filing Hits Record, Taxpayer Service Improves |
| The Internal Revenue Service reached new standards for performance during this year´s tax filing season, highlighted by record numbers of people filing electronically and significant improvements in taxpayer service. |
| IR-2001-48 |
April 26, 2001 |
| IRS Selects Issues for Industry Issue Resolution Pilot |
| The Internal Revenue Service and Treasury Department announced the selection of seven issues for the Industry Issue Resolution Pilot Program. |
| IR-2001-47 |
April 16, 2001 |
| IRS Expands Information Technology Staff, Selects James Rinaldi as Chief, Information Technology Services |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today the selection of James Rinaldi as Chief, Information Technology Services. In this position, Rinaldi will be responsible for the management of the operations, maintenance and enhancement of IRS installed systems and technology. |
| IR-2001-46 |
April 12, 2001 |
| IRS Offers Tips for Last-Minute Filers |
| The Internal Revenue Service has some tips for those hurrying to finish their tax forms – double-check your return for accuracy, use the free IRS resources if you need tax help, consider electronic options for filing and paying, and don´t miss the filing deadline. That deadline is Monday, April 16, for most of the country, but is Tuesday, April 17, for those who file at the IRS center in Andover, Massachusetts. The IRS will be working Monday, but because it is a legal holiday – Patriots Day – in Massachusetts, taxpayers get an extra day to file. |
| IR-2001-45 |
April 9, 2001 |
| IRS Commissioner Charles O. Rossotti�s Oral Statement Before the Senate Finance Committee April 5, 2001 |
| Mr. Chairman and Distinguished Members of the Committee, I am pleased to discuss the IRS's efforts to combat an important threat to our tax administration system: namely organized tax evasion. I particularly want to commend you, Mr. Chairman, for focusing today on this threat. It is essential that the vast majority of honest taxpayers who pay what they owe under the law have confidence that their neighbors and competitors are playing by the same rules. |
| IR-2001-44 |
April 5, 2001 |
| IRS Offers Options When Tax Day is �Pay� Day |
| If the tax filing deadline will be a “pay” day for you, the Internal Revenue Service offers several options to help you meet your obligation. It also has an installment program for those who cannot pay the full amount now. |
| IR-2001-43 |
April 5, 2001 |
| IRS Selects Senior Industry Advisor for Communications, Technology and Media Industry |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the appointment of Clifford (Cliff) Jernigan as Senior Industry Advisor to the Communications, Technology and Media industry segment of the Large and Mid-Size Business Division. |
| IR-2001-42 |
April 2, 2001 |
| IRS Provides Additional Guidance
for New Mexico Fire Victims |
| The Internal Revenue Service, which two weeks ago provided victims of the Cerro Grande Fire an extra nine months to file and pay federal taxes, today gave additional guidance on the proper tax treatment of losses and payments related to this disaster. |
| IR-2001-41 |
March 30, 2001 |
| Correct Mailings Help Speed Refunds |
| Taxpayers can help themselves to faster refunds by using the correct address labels when they mail their federal returns. The IRS sent tax packages with two address labels – a yellow one for those claiming a refund, and a white one for those with a payment. Use of the appropriate label helps the IRS sort the mail arriving at its processing centers. |
| IR-2001-40 |
March 30, 2001 |
| Winter 2000-2001 Statistics of Income Bulletin Includes Details on
Filings, High-Income Taxpayers & Estates |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the release of the Winter 2000-2001 issue of the Statistics of Income Bulletin. According to the most recent projections, a grand total of 232.5 million tax returns will be filed this year. This number is expected to increase by 1.8 percent annually through 2007, when filings should reach 258.1 million. |
| IR-2001-39 |
March 28, 2001 |
| IRS Selects New ETAAC Leader |
| The Internal Revenue Service has announced the selection of Kevin Belden as the new Chair for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC). |
| IR-2001-38 |
March 22, 2001 |
| Mark Mazur Named IRS Director of Research, Analysis & Statistics of Income |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the selection of Mark J. Mazur as the Director of Research, Analysis and Statistics of Income. This new position within the restructured IRS will be located in National Headquarters. |
| IR-2001-37 |
March 22, 2001 |
| Extensions Available by Phone or Computer -- With or Without Payment |
| People who need more time to complete their forms will find it easy to extend their filing deadline -- they don´t need an excuse, or even a stamp. Automatic four-month extensions are now available by phone or by computer, as well as through the paper Form 4868. Those getting extensions may also pay any projected tax due electronically, although payment is not required to obtain an extension. |
| IR-2001-36 |
March 19, 2001 |
| Time Running Short to Get Tax Forms |
| With the filing deadline less than a month away, people needing tax forms should act soon to request them, the Internal Revenue Service advised. The IRS has forms available by computer, fax, or mail, as well as at its local offices. Taxpayers should especially check to see if they´ll need items that are not in the standard tax packages. |
| IR-2001-35 |
March 15, 2001 |
| IRS Provides New Mexico Fire Victims Additional Time to File & Pay Taxes |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today that it is providing victims of the Cerro Grande Fire an extra nine months to file and pay federal taxes. The fire destroyed more than 40,000 acres in New Mexico last year. |
| IR-2001-34 |
March 14, 2001 |
| IRS Names New Senior Technical Advisor in Tax Exempt & Government Entities Division |
| Evelyn Petschek, Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service's Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TE/GE) Division, today announced the selection of Thomas D. Terry as her Senior Technical Advisor. |
| IR-2001-33 |
March 12, 2001 |
| E-Filing Helps Make Paying Taxes Easier |
| Growing numbers of people who owe taxes are discovering the convenient payment advantages of electronic filing. With the click of a mouse, taxpayers can file their tax return and defer payment until April 16, 2001 – no check to write, no standing in line at the post office. There were 2.3 million e-filers with a balance due in 2000, up from 1.5 million in 1999. For the current filing season, that number exceeds 713,000, which is 24% ahead of the comparable period last year. |
| IR-2001-32 |
March 9, 2001 |
| Heather Rosenker to Lead Communications Activities for IRS Small Business/Self-Employed Division |
| Heather Rosenker was recently appointed as Director of Communications for the Internal Revenue Service´s Small Business/Self-Employed Division. |
| IR-2001-31 |
March 8, 2001 |
| IRS Announces Decline in Quarterly Interest Rates |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2001, will drop one percentage point to eight (8) percent for overpayments (seven (7) percent in the case of a corporation), eight (8) percent for underpayments, and ten (10) percent for large corporate underpayments. The overpayment rate for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000 will be five and one-half (5.5) percent. |
| IR-2001-30 |
March 5, 2001 |
| GAO Issues Unqualified Opinion of IRS� 2000 Financial Statement; IRS Committed to Making More Improvements |
| For the first time, the General Accounting Office has issued an unqualified or “clean” opinion of all of the financial statements of the Internal Revenue Service. These financial statements include both the tax revenue (custodial) and the administrative accounts for fiscal year 2000. |
| IR-2001-29 |
March 1, 2001 |
| More Taxpayers E-File Federal & State Returns Together |
| With the addition of Hawaii and Vermont to the roster of states offering computer filing for state returns, taxpayers in all states with a state income tax can now file their federal and state returns in one electronic transmission. More than eight million taxpayers have already done so, an increase of 20 percent over this time last year. |
| IR-2001-28 |
Feb. 27, 2001 |
| W. Todd Grams Named IRS Chief Financial Officer |
| The Internal Revenue Service has selected W. Todd Grams, a long-time executive at the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Office of Management and Budget, as Chief Financial Officer. His duties will include overseeing the custodial accounting of $2 trillion in taxpayer receipts as well as an annual budget of $8.8 billion for the nation´s tax agency. |
| IR-2001-27 |
Feb. 27, 2001 |
| IRS Names Reece New Deputy Commissioner for Modernization & Chief Information Officer; Former Time Warner Executive Joins Agency |
| The Internal Revenue Service has selected John C. Reece as the new Deputy Commissioner for Modernization & Chief Information Officer. Reece has extensive experience in information technology (IT) services and consulting, including over five years as the Vice President of Information Technology at Time Warner, Inc. |
| IR-2001-26 |
Feb. 26, 2001 |
| IRS Launches Small Business Community Web Site, Focuses on Small Businesses & Self-Employed |
| The Internal Revenue Service today unveiled a new small business community Web site as another sign of the agency´s efforts to modernize and better serve America´s taxpayers. IRS Commissioner Charles O. Rossotti and Small Business/Self-Employed Division Commissioner Joe Kehoe made the announcement of this new Web site at the National Press Club in Washington. |
| IR-2001-25 |
Feb. 2, 2001 |
| Electronic Federal Tax Payment System Experiences Record Year |
| At the end of calendar year 2000, the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS) had surpassed the volumes received in calendar year 1999 in terms of new enrollments, dollars and transactions. During 2000, EFTPS processed more than 63 million federal tax payments, which represents a 14% increase over the previous year. The system received more than $1.5 trillion, which translates into a 15% increase. |
| IR-2001-24 |
Feb. 22, 2001 |
| Electronic Tax Transactions Continue to Grow |
| Early tax returns continue to show taxpayers' preference for electronic transactions, according to the Internal Revenue Service. The IRS has already received nearly 20 million of the 42 million electronic returns it expects this year. |
| IR-2001-23 |
Feb. 20, 2001 |
| IRS Takes Steps to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence |
| The Internal Revenue Service has initiated a series of steps to protect victims of domestic violence who apply for innocent spouse relief. |
| IR-2001-22 |
Feb. 15, 2001 |
| Early Tax Returns Show More E-Filing |
| It´s a new tax season, but the Internal Revenue Service says that the early returns are following a familiar pattern – more electronic transactions and fewer paper ones. |
| IR-2001-21 |
Feb. 15, 2001 |
| IRS Fills Top Counsel Slots in Two Largest Operating Divisions |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the appointment of Kirsten B. Wielobob to the post of Division Counsel for the agency´s Wage and Investment Division and the selection of Kevin M. Brown as Division Counsel for the Small Business/Self-Employed Division. |
| IR-2001-20 |
Feb. 13, 2001 |
| New IRS Rules Would Allow for Electronic Furnishing of Form W-2, Form 1098-E & Form 1098-T |
| Providers of certain information statements, including Form W-2, now have the option of giving taxpayers the information electronically instead of on paper, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. |
| IR-2001-19 |
Feb. 18, 2001 |
| Don't be Misled by Tax Scams; IRS Warns of 8 Common Schemes |
| The Internal Revenue Service issued a nationwide alert to taxpayers warning them not to fall victim to tax scams. These schemes take several shapes, ranging from promises of special tax refunds to illegal ways of “untaxing” yourself. |
| IR-2001-18 |
Feb. 12, 2001 |
| IRS Issues Consumer Alert to Watch for Employers Failing to Withhold Taxes |
| The Internal Revenue Service issued a consumer alert today involving illegal schemes where employers do not withhold federal income tax or employment taxes from wages paid to their employees. |
| IR-2001-17 |
Feb. 12, 2001 |
| IRS Releases New Form 8873, �Extraterritorial Income Exclusion� |
| The Internal Revenue Service has released Form 8873, “Extraterritorial Income Exclusion.” This form is used to calculate the amount excluded from a taxpayer's gross income for certain transactions that generate foreign trading gross receipts. Form 8873 is attached to the taxpayer´s income tax return. Both corporate and non-corporate taxpayers who have qualifying transactions may now be required to file Form 8873. |
| IR-2001-16 |
Feb. 8, 2001 |
| Computer Consolidation Marks Major Accomplishment for IRS Systems Modernization |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the completion of a cornerstone in its systems modernization effort by successfully consolidating and upgrading its major computer systems. |
| IR-2001-15 |
Feb. 7, 2001 |
| IRS Strategic Plan Provides Framework for Sweeping Improvements |
| Building upon a revised mission statement and top-to-bottom organizational changes, the Internal Revenue Service is ushering in a new Strategic Plan for meeting its goal of providing top-quality service to America´s taxpayers in a fair and efficient way. |
| IR-2001-14 |
Feb. 5, 2001 |
| IRS Improves Address Update System |
| Taxpayers who move after filing their tax returns should receive future correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service more timely, thanks to a licensing agreement between the IRS and the U.S. Postal Service. |
| IR-2001-13 |
Jan. 30, 2001 |
| IRS Selects Senior Industry Advisor for Retailers, Food & Pharmaceuticals Industry |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today the appointment of W. Kurt Meier as Senior Industry Advisor to the Retailers, Food and Pharmaceuticals industry segment of the Large and Mid-Size Business (LMSB) Division. |
| IR-2001-12 |
Jan. 24, 2001 |
| IRS Expands Authority for Taxpayer Advocate Service |
| The Taxpayer Advocate Service has been delegated new authority that will provide taxpayers more efficient service on customer service cases. The IRS also has clarified the guidelines for issuing Taxpayer Assistance Orders. |
| IR-2001-11 |
Jan. 23, 2001 |
| EITC Claimants with Questions Should Call the IRS, Not States |
| Taxpayers with questions about child custody and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) should call the Internal Revenue Service, not state child support offices. |
| FS-2001-11 |
Oct. 12, 2001 |
| Social Security Payments Subject to Federal Payment Levy Program |
| Social Security beneficiaries who owe federal taxes may be subject to levy in order to pay their tax bill. Social Security payments could be levied by 15 percent through the Federal Payment Levy Program (FPLP) until the debt is satisfied. To prevent payments from being levied, Social Security beneficiaries should contact the Internal Revenue Service immediately to resolve their tax debt. |
| IR-2001-10 |
Jan. 22, 2001 |
| IRS Names New Director of Electronic Tax Administration |
| The Internal Revenue Service has selected Terence H. (Terry) Lutes as the new Director, Electronic Tax Administration. Lutes had been acting in that capacity since October 2000, when former director Robert E. Barr left to rejoin the private sector. |
| FS-2001-10 |
Sept. 1, 2001 |
| Abusive Tax Shelters |
| Curbing abusive tax shelters is a priority for the Internal Revenue Service and the Treasury Department. Dealing with abusive tax shelters is a major strategic initiative for the IRS Large and Mid-Size Business (LMSB) Division. |
| IR-2001-09 |
Jan. 19, 2001 |
| IRS Expands & Makes Pre-Filing Agreement Program Permanent |
| The IRS announced Friday that the Pre-filing Agreement Program will be offered on a permanent and expanded basis to Large and Mid-Size Business (LMSB) taxpayers. |
| FS-2001-09 |
June 1, 2001 |
| 2001 Advance Payments |
| The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 approved by Congress and signed by President Bush directs the Treasury to send checks to most income taxpayers this year, giving them an advance payment of a 2001 tax credit. This is a reduction of tax and is not taxable income on the federal tax return. |
| IR-2001-08 |
Jan. 24, 2001 |
| Slavery Reparation Scams Surge, IRS Urges Taxpayers Not to File False Claims |
| The Internal Revenue Service issued a nationwide warning for taxpayers not to be misled into filing slavery reparation claims. The IRS has recently seen a significant surge in these false filings, and the agency urged taxpayers not to fall victim to this tax refund scam. |
| IR-2001-08 |
Jan. 19, 2001 |
| IRS Issues Fall 2000 Statistics of Income Bulletin |
| Adjusted gross income (AGI) reported on individual income tax returns for tax year 1998 reached $5.4 trillion, 9.0 percent more than for 1997, according to final 1998 statistics released today by the Internal Revenue Service. |
| FS-2001-08 |
June 1, 2001 |
| Overview -- 2001 Advance Payments |
| The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 directs the Treasury to send checks to most taxpayers this year, giving them an advance payment of a 2001 tax credit. |
| IR-2001-07 |
Jan. 16, 2001 |
| IRS Has $2.4 Billion in Refunds for Individuals Who Failed to File 1997 Returns |
| Unclaimed refunds totaling more than $2.4 billion are awaiting about 1.6 million people who failed to file a 1997 income tax return, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, in order to collect the money, a return must be filed with an IRS office no later than April 16, 2001. |
| FS-2001-07 |
April 1, 2001 |
| FY 2002 Internal Revenue Service Budget Request |
| For FY 2002, the IRS is requesting resources totaling $9.276 Billion and 99,116 FTE. This request is $580 million more than the $8.696 billion (adjusted for .22% rescission) in funding provided by the Congress in FY 2001. In addition, the IRS is requesting $146 million and 2,236 FTE in funding (an increase of only $1 million over FY 2001) outside the spending caps for the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) appropriation. |
| IR-2001-06 |
Jan. 12, 2001 |
| Olson Named National Taxpayer Advocate |
| Nina E. Olson, the founder of the nation´s first independent low-income taxpayer clinic, has been selected as the National Taxpayer Advocate, Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles O. Rossotti said today. |
| FS-2001-06 |
April 1, 2001 |
| False Arguments for Noncompliance with the Tax Laws |
| The Internal Revenue Service is concerned that taxpayers might be misled by improper suggestions that they are not required to file tax returns or pay taxes. |
| IR-2001-05 |
Jan. 11, 2001 |
| IRS Extends Application Period of Comprehensive Case Resolution Pilot for Large Businesses |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced Wednesday an extension of the period for submitting applications for Comprehensive Case Resolution (CCR) pilot program. |
| FS-2001-05 |
Jan. 11, 2001 |
| Business Systems Modernization Overview & Background |
| Business Systems Modernization, or BSM, represents two of the Internal Revenue Service´s Five Levers of Change – revamped business practices and new technology. It continues the IRS modernization process and builds on the Organizational Modernization effort that resulted in a new, customer-focused IRS that started Oct. 1, 2000. |
| IR-2001-04 |
Jan. 11, 2001 |
| IRS Completes New Blueprint for Modernizing Business & Computer Systems |
| The Internal Revenue Service today unveiled the Enterprise Architecture, a roadmap for modernizing the agency´s business systems and supporting information technology networks. |
| FS-2001-04 |
Jan. 1, 2001 |
| IRS Emphasizes Taxpayer Rights |
| During the 2001 filing season, taxpayers will benefit from a wide array of taxpayer rights that are the direct result of legislative efforts beginning with the Taxpayer Bill of Rights in 1988 and continuing through the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998. |
| IR-2001-03 |
Jan. 4, 2001 |
| IRS Conducts Survey of Transfer Pricing Documentation |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today it has started conducting a random survey of 1,400 business taxpayers with assets of $50 million or more. The survey on transfer pricing documentation is part of a study requested by the Senate Committee on Appropriations. |
| FS-2001-03 |
Jan. 1, 2001 |
| Filing and Paying Taxes Electronically |
| The Internal Revenue Service is again expanding the options for filing and paying federal taxes electronically during the 2001 filing season. Most taxpayers can easily file a tax return, pay a balance due, get an extension of time to file or make estimated tax payments without sending any paper to the IRS. |
| IR-2001-02 |
Jan. 4, 2001 |
| National Taxpayer Advocate Releases Annual Report to Congress |
| Complexity of the tax law continues to be the number one problem facing individual and small business taxpayers, according to the new National Taxpayer Advocate's Annual Report to Congress. |
| FS-2001-02 |
Jan. 1, 2001 |
| Tax Time 2001 |
| The Internal Revenue Service will send more than 40 million tax packages and 17 million filing-related postcards this year. This mailout costs $9.2 million for printing and nearly $10.2 million for postage, for an average cost of 33.5 cents per item mailed. Most people will get their tax packages in early January. The IRS expects to receive around 130 million tax returns in 2001, with e-filing reaching 42 million returns. |
| IR-2001-01 |
Jan. 2, 2001 |
| 2001 Filing Season Begins; IRS Expands E-Filing, Emphasizes Free Taxpayer Help |
| From a new paperless e-filing option to expanded customer service features, taxpayers will find more and easier ways to get help from the Internal Revenue Service during this year´s tax filing season. |
| FS-2001-01 |
Jan. 1, 2001 |
| Free Tax Help |
| A user-friendly Web site and toll-free help lines will make it easier than ever to access the 5,000-plus tax products and services offered by the Internal Revenue Service in 2001. |
