| IR-2010-37 |
March. 25, 2010 |
| IRS Provides Guidance on Identifying Numbers for Tax Return Preparers |
| The Internal Revenue Service today issued proposed regulations allowing the IRS to require that tax return preparers use Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (PTINs) as the preparer’s identifying number on all tax returns and tax refund claims that they prepare. These regulations when final will implement some of the recommendations in Publication 4832, Return Preparer Review. |
| IR-2010-36 |
March 24, 2010 |
| More than 180 Local IRS Offices Open this Saturday to Help Taxpayers |
| The IRS announced today that Internal Revenue Service offices will be open, nationwide, on Saturday, March 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., local time to help taxpayers. The location of participating offices is listed on IRS.gov. |
| IR-2010-35 |
March 23, 2010 |
| IRS Issues 2010 Filing Season Statistics |
| Electronically filed tax returns are on track with last year and overall refunds are running nearly 10 percent higher so far in 2010, according to statistics issued today by the Internal Revenue Service. |
| IR-2010-34 |
March 19, 2010 |
| IRS Seeks Volunteers for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel |
| The Internal Revenue Service seeks civic-minded 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-2010-33 |
March 18, 2010 |
| Two New Tax Benefits Aid Employers Who Hire and Retain Unemployed Workers |
| Two new tax benefits are now available to employers hiring workers who were previously unemployed or only working part time. These provisions are part of the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment (HIRE) Act enacted into law today. |
| IR-2010-32 |
March 16, 2010 |
| Beware of IRS’ 2010 “Dirty Dozen” Tax Scams |
| The Internal Revenue Service today issued its 2010 “dirty dozen” list of tax scams, including schemes involving return preparer fraud, hiding income offshore and phishing. |
| IR-2010-31 |
March 12, 2010 |
| IRS Seeks New Issues for the Industry Issue Resolution Program |
| The Internal Revenue Service is encouraging business taxpayers, associations and other interested parties to submit to the Industry Issue Resolution (IIR) Program tax issues for resolution involving a controversy, a dispute or an unnecessary burden on business taxpayers. |
| IR-2010-30 |
March 11, 2010 |
| IRS Releases 2009 Data Book |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the release of the 2009 IRS Data Book, an annual snapshot of agency activities for the fiscal year. |
| IR-2010-29 |
March 9, 2010 |
| IRS Outlines Additional Steps to Assist Unemployed Taxpayers and Others |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced several additional steps it is taking this tax season to help people having difficulties meeting their tax obligations because of unemployment or other financial problems. |
| IR-2010-28 |
March 9, 2010 |
| IRS Announces Qualified Disaster Treatment for Chile |
| The Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance designating the earthquake that occurred in Chile in February 2010 as a qualified disaster for federal tax purposes. The guidance allows individuals who receive qualified disaster relief payments from any person to exclude those payments from income on their tax returns. Also, the guidance allows employer-sponsored private foundations to assist employee-victims in areas affected by this earthquake without affecting their tax-exempt status. |
| IR-2010-27 |
March 4, 2010 |
| IRS Wins 48-Month Suspension of a Lawyer for Failing to File His Own Tax Return and Late Filing |
| Massachusetts Tax Attorney Kevin Kilduff was barred from practicing before the Internal Revenue Service for 48 months for failing to file one federal tax return and for filing another five returns late. |
| IR-2010-26 |
March 2, 2010 |
| IRS and SEC Agree to Work More Closely Regarding Municipal Bond Enforcement |
| The Internal Revenue Service and the Securities and Exchange Commission announced that the two agencies agreed to work more closely to monitor and regulate the municipal bond market and industry. |
| IR-2010-25 |
March 2, 2010 |
| IRS To Honor Medical Resident FICA Refund Claims |
| The Internal Revenue Service has made an administrative determination to accept the position that medical residents are excepted from FICA taxes based on the student exception for tax periods ending before April 1, 2005, when new IRS regulations went into effect. |
| IR-2010-24 |
March 2, 2010 |
| IRS Has $1.3 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2006 Tax Return |
| Unclaimed refunds totaling more than $1.3 billion are awaiting nearly 1.4 million people who did not file a federal income tax return for 2006, the Internal Revenue Service announced today. However, to collect the money, a return for 2006 must be filed with the IRS no later than Thursday, April 15, 2010. |
| IR-2010-23 |
March 1, 2010 |
| IRS Issues Winter 2010 Statistics Of Income Bulletin |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the release of the winter 2010 issue of the Statistics of Income Bulletin, featuring data on: preliminary 2008 individual income taxes, 2007 marginal income tax rates and 2007 sales of capital assets. |
| IR-2010-22 |
February 26, 2010 |
| Interest Rates Remain the Same for the Second Quarter of 2010 |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2010, will remain the same. The rates will be: * four (4) percent for overpayments [three (3) percent in the case of a corporation]; * four (4) percent for underpayments; * six (6) percent for large corporate underpayments; and * one and one-half (1.5) percent for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000. |
| IR-2010-21 |
February 19, 2010 |
| February 28 is Last Day for Special Tax Option for Haiti Relief Donations |
| Taxpayers wishing to claim their Haiti relief donations on the tax return they are filling out this season must make those donations by the end of this month, according to the Internal Revenue Service. |
| IR-2010-20 |
February 11, 2010 |
| IRS Approves Second Round of Issuance by Indian Tribal Governments of Economic Development Bonds |
| The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service today announced the allocation of a second round of authority to Indian tribal governments to issue Tribal Economic Development Bonds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). |
| IR-2010-19 |
February 5, 2010 |
| IRS Suspends Tax Practitioner for Preparing False Tax Returns |
| A Certified Public Accountant has been suspended for twelve months from practice before the Internal Revenue Service by the Office of Professional Responsibility for providing false or misleading information in connection with the preparation of his clients’ tax returns. |
| IR-2010-18 |
February 5, 2010 |
| IRS Debunks Frivolous Tax Arguments |
| The Internal Revenue Service today released the 2010 version of its discussion and rebuttal of many of the more common frivolous arguments made by individuals and groups that oppose compliance with federal tax laws. |
| IR-2010-17 |
February 4, 2010 |
| IRS Seeks Members for Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced it is accepting applications to fill vacancies on the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC), which provides feedback on the policies, programs and procedures of electronic tax administration. |
| IR-2010-16 |
January 29, 2010 |
| Taxpayers in Nine States and the District of Columbia File with Different Centers this Year |
| The Internal Revenue Service announced today that some taxpayers who file paper income tax returns will send them to different processing centers this year. |
| IR-2010-15 |
January 29, 2010 |
| Free Tax Help Available Nationwide |
| Nearly 12,000 free tax preparation sites will be open nationwide this year as the Internal Revenue Service continues to expand its partnerships with nonprofit and community organizations performing vital tax preparation services for low-income and elderly taxpayers. |
| IR-2010-14 |
January 29, 2010 |
| IRS Marks EITC Awareness Day; Highlights Expanded Tax Credit |
| An expanded Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) means larger families will qualify for a larger credit, offering greater relief for people who struggled through difficult financial times last year, the Internal Revenue Service said today. |
| IR-2010-13 |
January 26, 2010 |
| Prepared Remarks of IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman to New York State Bar Association Taxation Section Annual Meeting in New York City, January 26, 2010 |
| It’s a great honor to address the New York State Bar Association Taxation Section. I look forward to beginning a dialogue with you that will start – but I trust – not end today. |
| IR-2010-12 |
January 25, 2010 |
| Haiti Relief Donations Qualify for Immediate Tax Relief |
| People who give to charities providing earthquake relief in Haiti can claim these donations on the tax return they are completing this season, according to the Internal Revenue Service. |
| IR-2010-11 |
January 22, 2010 |
| IRS Announces Qualified Disaster Treatment for Haiti |
| The Internal Revenue Service today issued guidance that designates the earthquake in Haiti in January 2010 as a qualified disaster for federal tax purposes. The guidance allows recipients of qualified disaster relief payments to exclude those payments from income on their tax returns . Also, the guidance allows employer-sponsored private foundations to assist victims in areas affected by the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti without affecting their tax-exempt status. |
| FS-2010-12 |
January 2010 |
| EITC Eligibility Rules for 2009 Tax Year Outlined |
| The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a tax credit for people who work but do not earn high incomes. The EITC is a valuable tool helping eligible taxpayers to lower their taxes or to claim a refund. The IRS wants all eligible taxpayers to claim this credit. |
| FS-2010-11 |
January 2010 |
| Reporting Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts |
| If you own or have authority over a foreign financial account, including a bank account, brokerage account, mutual fund or other type of financial account, you may be required to report the account yearly to the Department of the Treasury. |
| IR-2010-10 |
January 21, 2010 |
| The IRS Reminds Tax-Exempt Organizations of All Sizes to File the Form 990 on Time to Preserve Their Tax Exempt Status |
| The Internal Revenue Service today reminded tax-exempt organizations to make sure they file their annual information form on time. In 2010 the tax-exempt status of any non-profit that has not filed the required form in the last three years will be revoked. |
| IR-2010-09 |
January 21, 2010 |
| COBRA Subsidy Eligibility Period Extended Through February; 15-Months Subsidy Now Available to Those Who Qualify |
| Workers who lose their jobs during January and February may qualify for a 65-percent subsidy on their COBRA health insurance premiums, and these newly-eligible individuals, along with those already receiving the subsidy, can now receive it for up to 15 months, according to the Internal Revenue Service. |
| IR-2010-08 |
January 20, 2010 |
| IRS Names Danilack Deputy Commissioner |
| The Internal Revenue Service today announced the selection of Michael Danilack as Deputy Commissioner (International) for the Large and Mid-Size Business Division. |
| IR-2010-07 |
January 19, 2010 |
| IRS and Telemundo Will Host Tax Information Program for Spanish-Speaking Taxpayers |
| The Internal Revenue Service is joining national TV network Telemundo in a special one-hour tax program for Spanish-speaking taxpayers on Sunday, January 24. |
| FS-2010-10 |
January 2010 |
| Free Tax Help Available From the IRS |
| When seeking help over the Internet, the IRS cautions taxpayers to make sure to go to the authentic IRS Web site by typing www.IRS.gov into their browser. The official site does not end in .com, .net, .org or any designation other than .gov. Click on "Español" for content in Spanish. |
| FS-2010-09 |
January 2010 |
| Online Scams that Impersonate the IRS |
| Consumers should protect themselves against online identity theft and other scams that increase during and linger after the filing season. Such scams may appropriate the name, logo or other appurtenances of the IRS or U.S. Department of the Treasury to mislead taxpayers into believing that the scam is legitimate. |
| FS-2010-08 |
January 2010 |
| E-File, Free File and Other Electronic Options for 2010 |
| Most taxpayers and tax preparers this year will use IRS e-file to file their federal tax returns or get extensions of time to file. During this process, they will not have to send a single scrap of paper to the Internal Revenue Service. |
| FS-2010-07 |
January 2010 |
| Most Workers Need to File New Schedule M; Making Work Pay Credit Offers Tax Savings Up to $800 |
| Two special tax credits offer taxpayers an opportunity to lower their tax bill or increase their refunds this filing season. Both credits are claimed on new Schedule M, Making Work Pay and Government Retiree Credits. |
| FS-2010-06 |
January 2010 |
| Tax Credits for Home Buyers |
| For first time homebuyers, there is a refundable credit equal to 10 percent of the purchase price up to a maximum of $8,000 ($4,000 if married filing separately). A first-time homebuyer is an individual who, with his or her spouse if married, has not owned any other principal residence for three years prior to the date of purchase of the new principal residence for which the credit is being claimed. |
| FS-2010-05 |
January 2010 |
| Taxpayers Can Now Use Refunds to Buy Savings Bonds; New Direct Deposit Option |
| In an effort to help individuals build their savings and retirement funds, a new direct deposit option in 2010 allows taxpayers to use their tax refunds to purchase U.S. Series I Savings Bonds |
| FS-2010-04 |
January 2010 |
| 2009 Tax Law Changes Provide Saving Opportunities for Nearly Everyone |
| In 2009, numerous new and expanded deductions and credits came into being for a broad cross-section of taxpayers: College tax benefits for parents and students; energy credits for homeowners who are going green; and even tax breaks for home buyers and car buyers. |
| FS-2010-03 |
January 2010 |
| How to Choose a Tax Return Preparer and Avoid Preparer Fraud |
| Taxpayers who decide they need assistance when preparing a tax return should choose a tax preparer with care and caution. Even if a return was prepared by an outside individual or firm, taxpayers should remember that they are legally responsible for what they file with the Internal Revenue Service. |
| FS-2010-02 |
January 2010 |
| Tax Filing Season 2010: Efforts Increase to Ensure Accurate Return Preparation |
| During the 2010 tax filing season, the Internal Revenue Service will step up its efforts to ensure paid tax return preparers are assisting clients appropriately. |
| FS-2010-01 |
January 2010 |
| Return Preparer Review Leads to Recommendations For New Requirements of Paid Tax Return Preparerse |
| In June 2009, IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman called for a comprehensive review of the paid tax return preparer industry, drawing on all relevant data and input from interested parties. The goal was to produce a comprehensive set of recommendations to better leverage the tax return preparer community, fostering higher compliance with the law by taxpayers and better service to taxpayers through higher standards of conduct by paid return preparers. |
| IR-2010-06 |
January 15, 2010 |
| New Homebuyer Credit Form Released; Taxpayers Reminded to Attach Settlement Statement and Other Key Documents |
| The Internal Revenue Service today released the new form that eligible homebuyers need to claim the first-time homebuyer credit this tax season and announced processing of those tax returns will begin in mid-February. The IRS also announced new documentation requirements to deter fraud related to the first-time homebuyer credit. |
| IR-2010-05 |
January 15, 2010 |
| Free File Now Available to Almost All Taxpayers; Software Can Help Find New Economic Recovery Tax Breaks that Could Be Overlooked |
| The Internal Revenue Service and its private-sector partners are making Free File available starting today. Most taxpayers can have free use of helpful tax preparation software and free electronic filing of the federal tax returns. |
| IR-2010-04 |
January 15, 2010 |
| IRS e-file: It’s Safe; It’s Easy; It’s Time |
| IRS e-file, the popular electronic tax return delivery service used by two-thirds of the nation’s taxpayers, opens for business January 15 and marks 20 years of safely and securely transmitting nearly 800 million individual federal tax returns. |
| IR-2010-03 |
January 11, 2010 |
| IRS Announces Streamlined and Simplified Notices to Taxpayers |
| The Internal Revenue Service today unveiled its first redesigned notices that are part of an on-going effort to improve the way it corresponds with taxpayers. |
| IR-2010-02 |
January 6, 2010 |
| National Taxpayer Advocate Delivers Annual Report to Congress; Focuses on Taxpayer Service, Collection, Preparer Regulation |
| National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson today released her annual report to Congress, warning that increased demands on the IRS have eroded the agency’s ability to meet taxpayer service needs and expressing concern that IRS collection practices are harming financially struggling taxpayers without producing significant revenue gains. |
| IR-2010-01 |
January 4, 2010 |
| IRS Proposes New Registration, Testing and Continuing Education Requirements for Tax Return Preparers Not Already Subject to Oversight |
| The Internal Revenue Service kicked off the 2010 tax filing season today by issuing the results of a landmark six-month study that proposes new registration, testing and continuing education of tax return preparers. With more than 80 percent of American households using a tax preparer or tax software to help them prepare and file their taxes, higher standards for the tax preparer community will significantly enhance protections and service for taxpayers, increase confidence in the tax system and result in greater compliance with tax laws over the long term. |
