IRS News

IR-2012-35, March 19, 2012 — The IRS seeks volunteers to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP), a federal advisory committee that listens to taxpayers, identifies key issues, and makes recommendations for improving IRS service.

IR-2012-34, March 14, 2012 — A new online search tool, Exempt Organizations Select Check, has been launched to help users more easily find key information about tax-exempt organizations, such as federal tax status and filings.

IR-2012-33, March 13, 2012 — The IRS encouraged small employers to check out the small business health care tax credit and then claim it if they qualify.

IR-2012-32, March 9, 2012 — The IRS announced that it has begun providing test results to tax return preparers who have taken the new return preparer competency test.

IR-2012-31, March 7, 2012 — The IRS announced a major expansion of its “Fresh Start” initiative to help struggling taxpayers with new penalty relief to the unemployed and making Installment Agreements more available.

IR-2012-29, March 2, 2012 –– The Internal Revenue Service warned senior citizens and other taxpayers to beware of an emerging scheme tempting them to claim fraudulent refunds.

Feb. 15, 2012 — Commissioner Shulman speaks before the Tax Council Policy Institute in Washington, D.C., on business tax risk.

IR-2012-27, Feb. 23, 2012 — The IRS released revised Form 941 enabling employers to properly report the newly-extended payroll tax cut benefiting nearly 160 million workers.

IR-2012-23, Feb. 16, 2012 –– The Internal Revenue Service today issued its annual “Dirty Dozen” ranking of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution during tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud.

FS-2012-10, February 2012 — The Administration’s fiscal year (FY) 2013 budget request for the IRS is approximately $12.8 billion, a $944.5 million increase (8%) over the FY 2012 enacted level but only a $639.3 million increase (5.3%) from the level enacted for FY 2011.

IR-2012-5, Jan. 9, 2012 — The IRS reopened the offshore voluntary disclosure program to help people hiding offshore accounts get current with their taxes and announced the collection of more than $4.4 billion so far from the two previous international programs.

FS-2011-13, December 2011 – This fact sheet summarizes information about federal income tax return and FBAR filing requirements for duel citizens in Canada, the United Kingdon and other countries.

The IRS is providing special transitional relief to banks and other payment settlement entities required to begin reporting payment card and third-party network transactions on new Form 1099-K.

Regulations require all paid tax return preparers to obtain a PTIN. Preparers must renew their PTIN each year by December 31. Some preparers will also soon need to pass a competency test and take continuing education courses.

Update on the new economic stimulus legislation.

There is a variety of tax breaks available to assist with the expense of higher education.

Here are some “What if” scenarios and the possible tax impact.

A collection of recent news releases, statements and other items related to IRS compliance and enforcement efforts.

IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman discusses a range of tax administration issues.

Find tax filing season statistics showing cumulative and comparative totals from the current filing season and from 2010.