Important Changes

5-year tax option repealed. The 5-year tax option for figuring the tax on lump-sum distributions from a qualified retirement plan has been repealed. However, a plan participant can continue to choose the 10-year tax option or capital gain treatment for a lump-sum distribution that qualifies for the special treatment. See the discussion on lump-sum distributions under Taxation of Nonperiodic Payments.

Paid preparer authorization. Beginning with your return for 2000, you can check a box and authorize the IRS to discuss your tax return with the paid preparer who signed it. If you check the "Yes" box in the signature area of your return, the IRS can call your paid preparer to answer any questions that may arise during the processing of your return. Also, you are authorizing your paid preparer to perform certain actions. See your income tax package for details.

Photographs of missing children. The Internal Revenue Service is a proud partner with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Photographs of missing children selected by the Center may appear in this publication on pages that would otherwise be blank. You can help bring these children home by looking at the photographs and calling 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) if you recognize a child.

First | Next

Publication Index | IRS-Forms Main | Home