WEATHER ALERT
IRS has improved taxpayer services but is slow to resolve ID theft, an independent watchdog says
Read full article: IRS has improved taxpayer services but is slow to resolve ID theft, an independent watchdog saysAn independent watchdog finds the IRS has improved its overall taxpayer service through Democrats' Inflation Reduction Act but still faces delays processing claims from a coronavirus pandemic-era tax credit program and is slow to resolve certain identity theft cases.
IRS acts to address wide disparity in audit rates between Black taxpayers and other filers
Read full article: IRS acts to address wide disparity in audit rates between Black taxpayers and other filersThe IRS says it's taken steps to address a wide disparity in audit rates between Black taxpayers and others filers.
The IRS launches Direct File, a pilot program for free online tax filing available in 12 states
Read full article: The IRS launches Direct File, a pilot program for free online tax filing available in 12 statesAfter weeks of testing, an electronic system for filing returns directly to the IRS is now available for taxpayers from 12 selected states.
IRS watchdog: Contractors who failed background checks maintained access to sensitive agency systems
Read full article: IRS watchdog: Contractors who failed background checks maintained access to sensitive agency systemsA new IRS inspector general report says the agency continued to give 19 contractors access to sensitive systems despite failing background reports as recently as last July.
IRS says it collected $360 million more from rich tax cheats as its funding is threatened yet again
Read full article: IRS says it collected $360 million more from rich tax cheats as its funding is threatened yet againThe IRS says it has collected an additional $360 million in overdue taxes from delinquent millionaires.
For IRS, backlogs and identity theft problems remain, but there is 'cautious optimism' watchdog says
Read full article: For IRS, backlogs and identity theft problems remain, but there is 'cautious optimism' watchdog saysThe IRS is still too slow to process amended tax returns, answer taxpayer phone calls and resolve identity theft cases, according to an independent watchdog within the agency.
IRS to waive $1 billion in penalties for people and firms owing back taxes for 2020 or 2021
Read full article: IRS to waive $1 billion in penalties for people and firms owing back taxes for 2020 or 2021The IRS says it's going to waive penalty fees for people who failed to pay back taxes that total less than $100,000 a year for tax years 2020 or 2021.
IRS plans limited rollout of free e-file tax return system with invitations to select taxpayers
Read full article: IRS plans limited rollout of free e-file tax return system with invitations to select taxpayersThe IRS plans to invite a select group of taxpayers across 13 states to try out the agency’s pilot electronic free file tax return system, beginning this January.
The IRS plans to crack down on 1,600 millionaires to collect millions of dollars in back taxes
Read full article: The IRS plans to crack down on 1,600 millionaires to collect millions of dollars in back taxesThe IRS is launching an effort to crack down on 1,600 millionaires and 75 large business partnerships that owe hundreds of millions of dollars in past due taxes.
IRS aims to go paperless by 2025 as part of its campaign to conquer mountains of paperwork
Read full article: IRS aims to go paperless by 2025 as part of its campaign to conquer mountains of paperworkMost taxpayers will be able to digitally submit a slew of tax documents and other communications to the IRS next filing season and the agency plans to go completely paperless in 2025.
IRS is ending unannounced visits to taxpayers to protect worker safety and combat scammers
Read full article: IRS is ending unannounced visits to taxpayers to protect worker safety and combat scammersThe IRS says it is ending its decades-old policy of making unannounced home and business visits — in a an effort to keep its workers safe and combat scammers who pose as IRS agents.
IRS nominee Werfel faces questioning on 'thankless' job
Read full article: IRS nominee Werfel faces questioning on 'thankless' jobSenators who have been arguing over how much money to give the IRS and how it should be spent found at least one point of unanimity as they considered President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the agency on Wednesday.