etrent17/irs-articles huggingface dataset:
IR-2015-106, Sept. 4, 2015 
WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning October 1, 2015.  The rates will be: 
three (3) percent for overpayments [two (2) percent in the case of a corporation];
one-half (0.5) percent for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000
three (3) percent for underpayments; and
five (5) percent for large corporate underpayments.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is determined on a quarterly basis.  For taxpayers other than corporations, the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points. 
Generally, in the case of a corporation, the underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points and the overpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. The rate for large corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 percentage points. The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point.
The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal short-term rate determined during July 1 2015 to take effect Aug. 1, 2015, based on daily compounding.
Revenue Ruling 2015-17PDF announcing the rates of interest is attached and will appear in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2015-39, dated Sept. 28, 2015.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2015-123, Oct. 29, 2015
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded non-credentialed tax return preparers of major upcoming changes regarding which tax return preparers can represent clients in matters before the IRS beginning in 2016, and take action by Dec. 31, 2015, to avoid being affected.
The IRS also announced that federal tax return preparers will soon pay less for a preparer tax identification number (PTIN).
Last year the IRS announced pending changes to limited practice authorities for non-credentialed tax return preparers. (Revenue Procedure 2014-42PDF)
Effective for tax returns and claims for refunds prepared and signed after Dec. 31, 2015, the limited right to represent clients before the IRS held by non-credentialed preparers will be accorded to only those preparers participating in the IRS Annual Filing Season Program, a voluntary continuing education (CE) program. The changes in the limited representation rules have no impact on returns prepared and signed by non-credentialed preparers on or before Dec. 31, 2015. 
Non-credentialed tax return preparers who participate in the Annual Filing Season Program will continue to have limited rights to represent clients. This enables them to represent taxpayers whose returns they prepared and signed, but only before revenue agents, customer service representatives and similar IRS employees, including the Taxpayer Advocate Service. The tax return preparer must participate in the Annual Filing Season Program for both the year of return preparation and the year of representation to represent their client.
There are no changes to representation rules for enrolled agents, certified public accountants and attorneys. These tax professionals continue to have unlimited practice rights and can represent any taxpayer before any IRS office, including collection and appeals, regardless of whether they prepared the tax return in question.   
To participate in the Annual Filing Season Program, non-credentialed tax return preparers must complete either 15 or 18 hours of continuing education from IRS-approved CE providers. The CE must be completed by Dec. 31, 2015, in order to receive a 2016 Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion.
More information about Annual Filing Season Program requirements is available on IRS.gov.
PTIN Fee Revised
Effective Nov. 1, 2015, the annual fee for 2016 PTINs will be $50 for both new applications and renewals. The IRS will collect $33 as a user fee to support program costs and a third-party vendor will receive $17 to operate the online system and provide customer support.
In preparation for the fee change, PTIN open season, which normally begins in mid-October, will begin in early November. PTIN open season is when the IRS begins accepting renewals and new registrations for the upcoming year.
Federal agencies are required to review user fees every other year and make adjustments as appropriate. The current PTIN fee is $64.25 for a new registration and $63 for renewal.
More information about the updated user fee is available in TD 9742PDF and REG-121496-15PDF.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2015-121, Oct. 28, 2015
WASHINGTON — The Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee (IRPAC) today issued its annual report for 2015, including numerous recommendations to the IRS Commissioner on new and continuing issues in tax administration.
Information reporting by third parties is one of the primary ways IRS verifies tax return information. In 2015, the IRS was expected to receive nearly 2.3 billion information returns.
“IRPAC members make an important contribution to tax administration by devoting a great deal of their valuable time assisting the IRS with the most important information reporting issues of the day," said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen.
In the 2015 report, the IRPAC recommends penalty relief for name-TIN (taxpayer identification number) mismatches in cases where filers under current rules are not permitted to access the IRS TIN Matching Program. In addition, the IRPAC requests a new checkbox on Forms W-9 and W-4P to authorize information return filers to validate the payee’s name-TIN combination through the IRS TIN Matching Program.
The IRPAC report makes recommendations involving instructions for Form W-9, and the reasonable cause penalty abatement process. The report also contains numerous other recommendations related to the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), the Affordable Care Act (ACA), cost basis and Form 1099-K reporting, the electronic transmittal of employer-withheld IRS tax levy proceeds, business taxpayer identity theft, treatment of negative interest for U.S. tax information and other issues.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen congratulated and thanked eight members of the Committee ending their three-year terms this year:
Mary Kallewaard, IRPAC Chair — COKALA Tax Information Reporting Solutions, LLC, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Julia Shanahan — Columbia University, New York, N.Y.
Patricia Schmick — Accounting & Tax Services Inc., Seattle, Wash.
Paul Banker — Convey, Minneapolis, Minn.
Mark Druckman — J.P. Morgan Chase, New York, N.Y.
Lynne Gutierrez — Hilltop Securities, Dallas, Texas
Jonathan Sambur — Mayer Brown, LLP, Washington, D.C.
Vicki Kaner — Amazon, Seattle, Wash.
IRPAC members represent financial services and payroll firms, colleges and universities and other types of businesses both small and large.
The full 2015 IRPAC Public Report is available on IRS.gov.
IRPAC is a federal advisory committee formed in 1991 that serves as an organized public forum for discussion of information reporting issues.
Follow the IRS on Social MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2015-115, Oct. 15, 2015
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded tax professionals that they can earn continuing education credits online through seminars filmed at the 2015 IRS Nationwide Tax Forums.
The 13 self-study seminars now available on the IRS Nationwide Tax Forums Online (NTFO) site provide information to participants using interactive videos, PowerPoint slides and transcripts.
The 2015 online forum seminars cover many topics of interest to tax professionals including:
Highlights of 2015 income tax law changes,
Employment tax updates,
Tax-related identity theft and victim assistance, and
Overview of the premium tax credit.
The online forums are registered with the IRS Return Preparer Office and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as qualified sponsors of continuing education. For a fee, CPAs, Enrolled Agents and Annual Filing Season Program participants taking NTFO seminars can earn continuing education credits. To earn credit, users must create an account, answer review questions throughout the seminars, and pass short tests.
The online forum seminars can also be audited for free. Individuals who choose to audit seminars will not have access to the review questions or final examination and will not receive credit for the seminar.
NTFO also offers many seminars from previous IRS Nationwide Tax Forums. For more information, please visit www.irstaxforumsonline.com.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2015-114, Oct. 9, 2015
WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service today issued a consumer alert about possible fake charity scams emerging due to severe flooding this month in South Carolina and neighboring states.
"When making donations to assist flood victims in South Carolina and elsewhere, taxpayers should take steps to ensure their hard-earned money goes to legitimate and currently eligible charities,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “IRS.gov has the tools taxpayers need to check out the status of charitable organizations.”
Following major disasters, it is common for scam artists to impersonate charities to get money or private information from well-intentioned taxpayers.
Such fraudulent schemes may involve contact by telephone, social media, email or in-person solicitations.
The IRS cautions people wishing to make disaster-related charitable donations to avoid scam artists by following these tips:
To help disaster victims, donate to recognized charities. 
	 
Be wary of charities with names that are similar to familiar or nationally known organizations. Some phony charities use names or websites that sound or look like those of respected, legitimate organizations. The IRS website at IRS.gov has a search feature, Exempt Organizations Select Check, through which people may find legitimate, qualified charities; donations to these charities may be tax-deductible. Legitimate charities may also be found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website at fema.gov.
	 
Don’t give out personal financial information — such as Social Security numbers or credit card and bank account numbers and passwords — to anyone who solicits a contribution from you. Scam artists may use this information to steal your identity and money.
	 
Don’t give or send cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check or credit card or another way that provides documentation of the gift.
	 
If you plan to make a contribution for which you would like to claim a deduction, see IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, to read about the kinds of organizations that can receive deductible contributions.
Bogus websites may solicit funds for disaster victims. Such fraudulent sites frequently mimic the sites of, or use names similar to, legitimate charities, or claim to be affiliated with legitimate charities in order to persuade members of the public to send money or provide personal financial information that can be used to steal identities or financial resources.
Additionally, scammers often send email that steers the recipient to bogus websites that appear to be affiliated with legitimate charitable causes.
Taxpayers suspecting disaster-related frauds by email should visit IRS.gov and search for the keywords “Report Phishing.”
More information about tax scams and schemes may be found at IRS.gov using the keywords “scams and schemes.”
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2015-113, Oct. 8, 2015
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today the number of tax returns e-filed by businesses rose nearly 9 percent this year, continuing the growth in the number of corporate and partnership returns filed electronically. This year, an additional 625,000 corporations and partnerships chose to e-file their tax returns.
As of Sept. 20, almost 8 million corporations and partnerships e-filed their income tax returns. The IRS estimates that e-file accounts for 77 percent of all corporate and partnership returns filed during 2015. Many corporations and partnerships operating on a calendar year receive filing extensions. The due date for filing a return after filing for an extension is usually Sept. 15.
Most large corporations and partnerships are required to e-file
Large and mid-size corporations, generally those with $10 million or more in total assets, are required to electronically file their Forms 1120 or 1120S. Partnerships with more than 100 partners (Schedules K-1) are also required to e-file their tax returns. The IRS is seeing growth in e-filing by all business segments.
This year, a record 100,000 large corporations e-filed their returns, an increase of 8 percent compared to the same time last year. The greatest rate of growth in e-filing among these businesses is by large partnerships. This year, 142,237 large partnerships e-filed their tax returns, up almost 16 percent from the same time last year.
Tax Returns e-filed by Corporations and Partnerships

Category of e-filers


Sept. 21, 2014


Sept. 20,2015


%Change

Large Corporation Tax Returns

92,494


100,052


8.2%

Other Corporate Returns

4,373,597


4,720,698


7.9%

Total Corporate Returns

4,466,091


4,820,750


7.9%

Large Partnership Tax Returns

122,879


142,237


15.8%

Other Partnership Returns

2,640,319


2,891,466


9.5%

Total Partnerships

2,763,198


3,033,703


9.8%

Total Returns

7,229,289


7,854,453


8.6%

Corporations and partnerships can get more information about IRS e-file at IRS.gov.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2015-133, Nov. 24, 2015
WASHINGTON —The Internal Revenue Service today simplified the paperwork and recordkeeping requirements for small businesses by raising from $500 to $2,500
the safe harbor threshold for deducting certain capital items.
The change affects businesses that do not maintain an applicable financial statement (audited financial statement). It applies to amounts spent to
acquire, produce or improve tangible property that would normally qualify as a capital item.
The new $2,500 threshold applies to any such item substantiated by an invoice. As a result, small businesses will be able to immediately deduct many
expenditures that would otherwise need to be spread over a period of years through annual depreciation deductions.
“We received many thoughtful comments from taxpayers, their representatives and the professional tax community, said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “This
important step simplifies taxes for small businesses, easing the recordkeeping and paperwork burden on small business owners and their tax preparers.“
Responding to a February comment request, the IRS received more than 150 letters from businesses and their representatives suggesting an increase in the
threshold. Commenters noted that the existing $500 threshold was too low to effectively reduce administrative burden on small business. Moreover, the cost
of many commonly expensed items such as tablet-style personal computers, smart phones, and machinery and equipment parts typically surpass the $500
threshold.
As before, businesses can still claim otherwise deductible repair and maintenance costs, even if they exceed the $2,500 threshold.
The new $2,500 threshold takes effect starting with tax year 2016. In addition, the IRS will provide audit protection to eligible businesses by not
challenging use of the new $2,500 threshold in tax years prior to 2016.
For taxpayers with an applicable financial statement, the de minimis or small-dollar threshold remains $5,000.
Further details on this change can be found in Notice 2015-82PDF, posted today on IRS.gov
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IRS YouTube VideoTaxes.Security.Together.: English (Obsolete)
IR-2015-132, Nov. 23, 2015
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service, state revenue departments and the tax industry today released the first in a series of special tax tips designed to provide people critical information to help protect their tax and financial data.
The first of the Security Awareness Tax Tip series provides seven ways people can protect their computers, which takes on added importance as people prepare for the holidays and the 2016 tax season approaches. A new tip will be available each Monday through the start of the tax season in January.
“These are common-sense tips to help taxpayers,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “While many people follow these, we all know someone who can miss taking critical steps to protect their sensitive personal and financial information, which can be used to file a fraudulent tax return.”
The “Taxes. Security. Together.” campaign — a joint effort announced last week between the IRS, states and the private-sector tax industry — is designed to raise public awareness that even routine actions on the Internet and their personal devices can affect the safety of their financial and tax data. The education campaign will complement the expanded series of important new protections the IRS, states and tax industry are putting in place for the start of the 2016 filing season to address tax-related identity theft.
The tips, which will be in English and Spanish, will be available on IRS.gov as well as through the states and many in the tax industry. Taxpayers can also subscribe to receive these tips by email — as well as other important tax information for the upcoming tax season. People can also subscribe to receive updates in Spanish.
In coming weeks, these tax tips will touch on key topics such as ongoing phishing schemes and aggressive phone scammers posing as IRS officials. Other tips will discuss the importance of protecting sensitive paper and electronic tax records as well as watching out for friends and family who don’t keep their computer’s software security updated.
“With more than 150 million households filing tax returns, we all have a part to play,” Koskinen said. “With the public’s help, this will greatly strengthen and improve the new tools being put in place by the IRS, states and industry this January.”
The IRS, tax industry and states will also be releasing additional YouTube videos highlighting these tips as tax season approaches. The first of the series is now available: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMH8TBeA4lE
To learn additional steps you can take to protect your personal and financial data, visit /taxessecuritytogether. 
Related item:
Security Tax Tips
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2015-128, Nov. 18, 2015
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) held its annual public meeting today and released its annual report for 2015 to the IRS Commissioner. The report includes recommendations on a wide range of tax administration issues.
The IRSAC is an advisory group to the entire agency. The IRSAC’s primary purpose is to provide an organized public forum for the Commissioner, senior IRS executives and representatives of the public to discuss relevant tax administration issues.
“Members of IRSAC volunteer their time and energy to provide us with valuable feedback and suggestions regarding the most important issues affecting all types of taxpayers," said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen.
Advisory council members convey the public’s perception of professional standards and best practices for tax professionals and IRS activities, offer constructive observations regarding current or proposed IRS policies, programs, and procedures, as well as suggest improvements to IRS operations.
Based on its report findings and discussions over the last year, the IRSAC made several recommendations on a broad range of issues and concerns including:
The IRS needs sufficient funding to operate efficiently and effectively, provide timely and useful guidance and assistance to taxpayers, and enforce current law, so that the integrity of, and respect for, our voluntary tax system is maintained.
Identity authentication of the Form 1040 series.
Third-party payer arrangements for employment taxes
Continuity of independence, strength and visibility of the Office of Professional Responsibility.
Statutory authority of the IRS to regulate tax practice.
International Information Return Penalties.
Commissioner Koskinen congratulated and thanked seven members of the Council ending their three-year terms this year:
Fred Murray, IRSAC Chairman – Managing Director, Tax Accounting Risk Advisory & International Tax Service at Grant Thornton, LLP, Washington D.C.
Michele Gaines – Jackson, Jackson & Jackson, Pittsburgh, P.A.
Luis Parra – Key Accounting, Bronx, N.Y.
Mark Mesler – Ernst & Young, LLP, Atlanta, G.A.
Andre’ Re – Andre’ L. Re, McDonough, G.A.
Karen Salemi – Zero Chaos, Pepperell, M.A.
Sherrill Trovato – Sherrill L. Trovato, Fountain Valley, C.A.
The IRSAC is administered by the National Public Liaison Office.  The IRSAC draws its members from the taxpaying public, the tax professional community, small and large businesses and the payroll community.
The 2015 Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council Public Report can be found on IRS.gov.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2015-127, Nov. 17, 2015
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today that it is requesting information about current professional employer organization practices in an effort to streamline the implementation of a new federal program.
Under legislation enacted last December, the IRS must establish a voluntary certification program for professional employer organizations (PEOs). The law requires them to meet a number of requirements, including certain bond and independent financial review requirements.  
 
The IRS has been working to determine the procedures and information system changes necessary to implement the new law and plans to begin accepting applications for PEO certification on July 1, 2016.
Currently, PEOs are subject to licensing, registration and other requirements in many states. In addition, there are private assurance organizations that offer PEOs accreditation if they satisfy certain requirements. The IRS is requesting information related to these state requirements and accreditation programs.
Specific topics of interest include covered employees, financial audit practices, verification of payroll tax obligations, and working capital and net worth requirements. The IRS will also welcome for further consideration information on other industry practices.
Further details on the specific topics and the process for submitting information are in the full text of the request for information.
The deadline for submissions is Jan. 8, 2016.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2015-126, Nov. 12, 2015
WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service today reminded eligible employees that now is the time to begin planning to take full advantage of their employer’s health flexible spending arrangement (FSA) during 2016.
FSAs provide employees a way to use tax-free dollars to pay medical expenses not covered by other health plans. Because eligible employees need to decide how much to contribute through payroll deductions before the plan year begins, many employers this fall are offering their employees the option to participate during the 2016 plan year.
Interested employees wishing to contribute during the new year must make this choice again for 2016, even if they contributed in 2015. Self-employed individuals are not eligible.
An employee who chooses to participate can contribute up to $2,550 during the 2016 plan year. Amounts contributed are not subject to federal income tax, Social Security tax or Medicare tax. If the plan allows, the employer may also contribute to an employee’s FSA.
Throughout the year, employees can then use funds to pay qualified medical expenses not covered by their health plan, including co-pays, deductibles and a variety of medical products and services ranging from dental and vision care to eyeglasses and hearing aids. Interested employees should check with their employer for details on eligible expenses and claim procedures.
Under the use or lose provision, participating employees often must incur eligible expenses by the end of the plan year, or forfeit any unspent amounts. But under a special rule, employers may, if they choose, offer participating employees more time through either the carryover option or the grace period option.
Under the carryover option, an employee can carry over up to $500 of unused funds to the following plan year—for example, an employee with $500 of unspent funds at the end of 2016 would still have those funds available to use in 2017. Under the grace period option, an employee has until 2½ months after the end of the plan year to incur eligible expenses—for example, March 15, 2017, for a plan year ending on Dec. 31, 2016. Employers can offer either option, but not both, or none at all.
Employers are not required to offer FSAs. Accordingly, interested employees should check with their employer to see if they offer an FSA. More information about FSAs can be found in Publication 969 , available on IRS.gov.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2015-138, Dec. 21, 2015  
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that interest rates will remain the same for the calendar quarter beginning Jan. 1, 2016, as they were in the previous quarter.  The rates will be:  
three (3) percent for overpayments [two (2) percent in the case of a corporation];
three (3) percent for underpayments;
five (5) percent for large corporate underpayments; and
one-half (0.5) percent for the portion of a corporate overpayment exceeding $10,000.
Under the Internal Revenue Code, the rate of interest is determined on a quarterly basis.  For taxpayers other than corporations, the overpayment and underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points.  
Generally, in the case of a corporation, the underpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 3 percentage points and the overpayment rate is the federal short-term rate plus 2 percentage points. The rate for large corporate underpayments is the federal short-term rate plus 5 percentage points. The rate on the portion of a corporate overpayment of tax exceeding $10,000 for a taxable period is the federal short-term rate plus one-half (0.5) of a percentage point.
The interest rates announced today are computed from the federal short-term rate determined during Oct. 2015 to take effect Nov. 1, 2015, based on daily compounding.
Revenue Ruling 2015-23PDF announcing the rates of interest will be published in Internal Revenue Bulletin 2015-52, dated Dec. 28, 2015.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2015-137, Dec.17, 2015
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2016 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2016, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be:
54 cents per mile for business miles driven, down from 57.5 cents for 2015
19 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, down from 23 cents for 2015
14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
The business mileage rate decreased 3.5 cents per mile and the medical, and moving expense rates decrease 4 cents per mile from the 2015 rates. The charitable rate is based on statute.
The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed and variable costs of operating an automobile. The rate for medical and moving purposes is based on the variable costs.
Taxpayers always have the option of calculating the actual costs of using their vehicle rather than using the standard mileage rates.
A taxpayer may not use the business standard mileage rate for a vehicle after using any depreciation method under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System (MACRS) or after claiming a Section 179 deduction for that vehicle. In addition, the business standard mileage rate cannot be used for more than four vehicles used simultaneously.
These and other requirements for a taxpayer to use a standard mileage rate to calculate the amount of a deductible business, moving, medical or charitable expense are in Rev. Proc. 2010-51PDF.  Notice 2016-01PDF contains the standard mileage rates, the amount a taxpayer must use in calculating reductions to basis for depreciation taken under the business standard mileage rate, and the maximum standard automobile cost that a taxpayer may use in computing the allowance under a fixed and variable rate plan.
Follow IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2014-6, Jan. 24, 2014
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service will make available a special series of daily Tax Tips beginning Jan. 28 to help people prepare their tax returns.
More than 60 IRS Tax Tips will be available through a free email subscription or by visiting IRS.gov. The tips, one available each business day through the April 15 tax deadline, offer single-topic briefs on tax topics affecting millions of people.
The easy-to-read tips cover a wide range of topics to help people with the 2014 filing season, which begins Jan. 31. Many tips offer information on money-saving tax credits and deductions that can be easy to overlook and could affect your refund.
Topics for 2014 include:
How to avoid tax scams
Help available through IRS.gov
Who can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit
Free File
Free volunteer tax help
Fastest and safest way to get your refund
How to choose a tax preparer
Tax help ‘en Español’
Tax return errors that slow down your refund
The home office deduction
Education tax credits
Helpful tips for paying your taxes
You can receive the Tax Tips automatically each day via email by signing up for a free service on IRS.gov. From the Subscriptions page, choose the “Tax Tips” drop-down menu, then click on “Subscribe.”
In addition to more than 60 filing season tips, several special edition tax tips will be available on the IRS website. To see the Tax Tips, visit the News section of IRS.gov or type “Tax Tips” into the search box.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2014-2, Jan. 3, 2014
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the availability of the Fall 2013 issue of the Statistics of Income Bulletin, which features information on individual income tax returns filed for tax year 2011.
Taxpayers filed 145.4 million individual income tax returns for 2011, an increase of 1.7 percent from tax year 2010. The adjusted gross income (AGI) reported on these returns totaled $8.4 trillion, a 3.5-percent increase from 2010. Taxable income rose 4.4 percent to $5.7 trillion for 2011.
The Statistics of Income (SOI) Division produces the SOI Bulletin on a quarterly basis. Articles included in the publication provide the most recent data available from various tax and information returns filed by U.S. taxpayers. This issue of the SOI Bulletin also includes articles on the following topics:
Partnership Returns:  Since 2002, the number of partnerships has increased at an average annual rate of 4.4 percent. For tax year 2011, a total of 3,285,177 partnerships filed federal tax returns, reporting $20.6 trillion in total assets and $580.9 billion in total net income or profit.
Accumulation and Distribution of Individual Retirement Arrangements:  About three- quarters of all taxpayers (145.6 million) were eligible to contribute to an individual retirement account (IRA) for 2010. Of the 3.5 million taxpayers who made IRA contributions, 62 percent were age 50 or older. For 2010, the end-of-year fair market value of IRAs reported by approximately 54.4 million taxpayers was roughly $5 trillion
The Statistics of Income Bulletin is available for download at IRS.gov/taxstats. Printed copies of the Statistics of Income Bulletin are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954. The annual subscription rate is $67 ($93.80 foreign), single issues cost $44 ($61.60 foreign).
For more information about these data, write to the Internal Revenue Service (RAS:S), Director, Statistics of Income, 1111 Constitution Ave., NW (K-Room 4160), Washington, DC 20224-0002.
Related Items:          
SOI Bulletin: Fall 2013  
Historical Tables and Appendix
Tax Statistics
 
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2014-1, Jan. 3, 2014
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is offering taxpayers a number of instructional YouTube videos to help prepare their taxes for the upcoming filing season, which begins on Jan. 31.
Several options are available to help taxpayers prepare for the 2014 tax season and get their refunds as easily as possible. Many software companies are expected to begin accepting tax returns in January and hold those returns until the IRS systems open on Jan. 31. This includes the Free File partners that offer access to their software for free at irs.gov/Free File. The IRS will not process any tax returns before Jan. 31, so there is no advantage to filing on paper before the opening date. Taxpayers will receive their tax refunds much faster by using e-file or Free File with the direct deposit option.
In addition, the IRS has short and informative YouTube videos on a number of tax-related topics in English, Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL). The channels have received nearly 6.5 million views:
IRS Videos — http://www.youtube.com/irsvideos
ASL Videos — http://www.youtube.com/IRSvideosASL
Multilingual Videos — http://www.youtube.com/IRSvideosMultilingua
Specific videos that taxpayers may view to help them get ready over the coming weeks include:
Do-It-Yourself Free Tax Preparation ─ Helps taxpayers find free help from certified volunteers to electronically file tax returns. Taxpayers interested in helping their own communities can also watch a video to learn about becoming involved in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.
Do I Have to File a Tax Return? ─ Learn about the requirements for filing a tax return, including income limits and age, and why taxpayers may want to file even if they don't have to.
How to Get 1040 Forms ─  Provides tips on the quickest way to get the various 1040 forms on IRS.gov.
Tax Scams ─  Offers some tips on how to protect personal information and avoid becoming a tax scam victim.
Record-keeping ─  Learn which financial and tax files to keep and how long to keep them.
Changed Your Name After Marriage or Divorce? ─  Find out what you need to do if you have changed your name before you file your tax return.
Choosing a Tax Preparer ─ Hear some useful tips for choosing a reputable tax preparer.
The IRS uses social media tools and platforms to share the latest information on tax changes, initiatives, products and services. These social media platforms include the IRS2Go phone application, YouTube, Tumblr, Twitter and Facebook. To protect taxpayer privacy, the IRS only uses social media tools to share public information, not to answer personal tax or account questions. It advises taxpayers to never post confidential information, like a Social Security number, on social media sites. A listing is available on IRS.gov.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2014-20, Feb. 27, 2014
WASHINGTON — The IRS announced today that, three weeks into the filing season, it has received about one-third of the individual income tax returns that it expects to receive during 2014. The IRS has processed almost 98 percent of the 49.6 million returns received so far. Each week this filing season, the IRS has processed a greater percentage of the returns received than during comparable weeks last year.
More taxpayers are filing their returns electronically this year. Overall, 46.6 million returns have been e-filed this year, up one percent from the same time last year. As in prior years, the greatest increase is among individuals filing from their home computers. Almost 22 million returns have been e-filed from home computers this year, an increase of almost 7 percent compared to the same time last year.
The IRS has issued more than 40 million tax refunds this year, an increase of more than six percent compared to the same time last year. Almost 90 percent of these refunds were directly deposited into taxpayers’ accounts.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
 

2014 FILING SEASON STATISTICS


Cumulative statistics comparing 2/22/13 and 2/21/14


Individual Income Tax Returns:


2013


2014


% Change


Total Receipts


49,448,000


49,558,000


0.2


Total Processed


42,837,000


48,335,000


12.8


 


 


 


 


E-filing Receipts:


 


 


 


TOTAL           


46,149,000


46,641,000


1.1


Tax Professionals


25,618,000


24,687,000


-3.6


Self-prepared


20,531,000


21,954,000


6.9


 


 


 


 


Web Usage:


 


 


 


Visits to IRS.gov


155,167,572


145,881,766


-6.0


 


 


 


 


Total Refunds:


 


 


 


Number


38,042,000


40,389,000


6.2


Amount


$113.738


Billion


$125.831


Billion


10.6


Average refund


$2,990


$3,116


4.2


 


 


 


 


Direct Deposit Refunds:


 


 


 


Number


34,618,000


35,694,000


3.1


Amount


$107.228


Billion


$112.628


Billion


5.0


Average refund


$3,097


$3,155


1.9
IR-2014-19, Feb. 25, 2014
The Internal Revenue Service is offering educational Health Care Tax Tips to help individuals understand how the Affordable Care Act may affect their taxes. 
The IRS has designed the Health Care Tax Tips to help people understand what they need to know for the federal individual income tax returns they are filing this year, as well as for future tax returns. This includes information on the Premium Tax Credit and making health care coverage choices.
Although many of the tax provisions included in the law went into effect on Jan. 1, 2014, most do not affect the 2013 tax returns. 
The Health Care Tax Tips, which are now available at IRS.gov/aca, include:
IRS Reminds Individuals of Health Care Choices for 2014 — Find out what you need to know about how health care choices you make for 2014 may affect your taxes.
The Health Insurance Marketplace – Learn about Your Health Insurance Coverage Options — Find out about getting health care coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
The Premium Tax Credit — Learn the basics of the Premium Tax Credit, including who might be eligible and how to get the credit.
The Individual Shared Responsibility Payment – An Overview — Provides information about types of qualifying coverage, exemptions from having coverage, and making a payment if you do not have qualifying coverage or an exemption.
Three Timely Tips about Taxes and the Health Care Law —  Provides tips that help with filing the 2013 tax return, including information about employment status, tax favored health plans and itemized deductions.
Four Tax Facts about the Health Care Law for Individuals — Offers basic tips to help people determine if the Affordable Care Act affects them and their families, and where to find more information.
Changes in Circumstances can Affect your Premium Tax Credit — Learn the importance of reporting any changes in circumstances that involve family size or income when advance payments of the Premium Tax Credit are involved.
In addition to Health Care Tax Tips, the IRS.gov/aca website offers informative flyers and brochures, Frequently Asked Questions and in-depth legal guidance regarding the tax provisions of the Affordable Care Act.   
Individuals interested in receiving copies of IRS tax tips via email on a variety of topics, including the Affordable Care Act, can subscribe at Subscribe to IRS Tax Tips.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2014-17, Feb. 20, 2014
WASHINGTON – The IRS today released 2014 tax filing season statistics showing that 15 percent more refunds were already issued this year, compared to 2013 figures. Additionally, the average federal refund totaled $3,211, an increase of $190 compared with the same period a year ago.
The statistics issued today, covering the period through Feb. 14, show that while the overall number of tax returns filed this year is down slightly, less than a percentage point, nearly 95 percent of all returns received were filed electronically.
For more information on tax credits available for this filing season and other tax questions, visit IRS.gov to use our Interactive Tax Assistant online tool. You may also use our Where’s My Refund? tool to get up-to-date refund information.     


2014 FILING SEASON STATISTICS


Cumulative statistics comparing 2/15/13 and 2/14/14

Individual Income Tax Returns:

2013


2014

% Change
Total Receipts

39,531,000


39,224,000

-0.8%
Total Processed

30,762,000


38,385,000

24.8%
E-filing Receipts:
Total           

37,112,000


37,165,000

0.1%
Tax Professionals

20,028,000


18,953,000

-5.4%
Self-prepared

17,084,000


18,212,000

6.6%
Web Usage:
Visits to IRS.gov

123,945,553


122,140,734

-1.5%
Total Refunds:
Number

27,100,000


31,308,000

15.5%
Amount

$81.861

billion

$100.541

billion
22.8%
Average refund

$3,021


$3,211

6.3%
Direct Deposit Refunds:
Number

24,957,000


27,748,000

11.2%
Amount

$77.888

billion

$89.593

billion
15.0%
Average refund

$3,121


$3,229

3.5%

Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
IR-2014-15, Feb. 14, 2014
WASHINGTON — The IRS today announced that tax filings in 2014 have outpaced filings for the same time last year. As of Feb. 7, the IRS received 27.3 million returns, up 2.5 percent compared to the same time last year. Electronically filed returns account for almost 96 percent of those filed so far this year.
Taxpayers, either through tax preparers or from their home computers, have e-filed more than 26 million returns so far this year, up almost 4 percent compared to the same time last year. As of Feb. 7, taxpayers have filed more than 13 million returns from home computers, an increase of 14.7 percent compared to the same period last year.
Refunds are up for 2014, with almost 19.5 million issued this year, an increase of more than 18 percent compared to the same time last year. The average refund as of Feb. 7 is $3,317, up 4.6 percent compared to the same time last year. (Refund averages generally have higher dollar values early in the filing season than later in the year.)
Most refunds are directly deposited into taxpayer accounts; just over 87 percent of all refunds issued were directly deposited as of Feb. 7. 2014.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
 

2014 FILING SEASON STATISTICS


Cumulative statistics comparing 2/8/13 and 2/7/14


Individual Income Tax Returns:


2013


2014


% Change


Total Receipts


26,589,000


27,249,000


2.5


Total Processed


18,811,000


26,945,000


43.2


 


 


 


 


E-filing Receipts:


 


 


 


TOTAL           


25,121,000


26,081,000


3.8


Tax Professionals


13,456,000


12,699,000


-5.6


Self-prepared


11,665,000


13,382,000


14.7


 


 


 


 


Web Usage:


 


 


 


Visits to IRS.gov


90,706,865


89,683,640


-1.1


 


 


 


 


Total Refunds:


 


 


 


Number


16,424,000


19,459,000


18.5


Amount


$52.059 billion


 


$64.546 billion


 


24


Average refund


$3,170


$3,317


4.6


 


 


 


 


Direct Deposit Refunds:


 


 


 


Number


15,457,000


16,976,000


9.8


Amount


$50.214 billion


 


$55.815 billion


 


11.2


Average refund


$3,249


$3,288


1.2
IRS YouTube Video:Message to Taxpayers: English| Spanish| ASL
IR-2014-12, Feb. 10, 2014
WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today released a YouTube message from Commissioner John Koskinen to the nation's taxpayers providing tips and help for the 2014 filing season.
In the YouTube video, now available at IRS.gov and the IRS YouTube channel, Koskinen also discusses how the IRS and its employees will approach the 2014 tax season.
“I can assure you we are all dedicated to doing whatever we can to help you file your taxes this filing season,” Koskinen said in the video, which runs just under three minutes.
“We want to provide you with the assistance you need to get your taxes filed accurately and on time,” Koskinen added. “And we will work hard to issue refunds quickly while increasing our efforts to stop tax fraud and identity thieves.”
Koskinen also cautioned taxpayers that phone lines will be busy this year. “Given our very limited resources, our phone lines are going to be extremely busy this year – and there will frequently be extensive wait times,” Koskinen said. “We are working to limit these waiting times as much as possible, and I apologize that we can’t do more in that regard this year.”
As an alternative, he encouraged taxpayers to consider the following options:
Visit IRS.gov to find a wide range of information, including the Where’s My Refund? tool to check on tax refund status.
Download the newly redesigned IRS smartphone app IRS2Go to check on tax refund status and get the latest tax news and information, available in English and Spanish for Apple and Android devices.
Visit the IRS YouTube channel to get information from over a hundred short instructional IRS videos. IRS YouTube channels have been viewed more than 6 million times.
The IRS also offers subscription to daily tax tips during the filing season as well as other useful resources year-round through a variety of social media platforms such as Twitter, @IRSnews, @IRSenEspanol and @IRStaxpros, Facebook and Tumblr. For more IRS social media links, go to IRS Social Media.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire
Español
IR-2014-11, Feb. 4, 2014
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced the release of IRS2Go 4.0, an update to its smartphone application featuring new added features available in both English and Spanish.
The redesigned IRS2Go provides new features for taxpayers to access the latest information to help them in the preparation of their tax returns. In this version, IRS2Go highlights the addition of an innovative new refund status tracker, providing taxpayers an easy-to-use feature to follow their tax return throughout the process.
 “The new version of IRS2Go provides taxpayers another way to quickly get information and help around the clock,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “The IRS is focused on providing taxpayers with convenient self-service tools like IRS2Go, which provides details on everything from tax refunds to free tax assistance.”
There have been about 3.5 million downloads of IRS2Go since its inception in 2011. iPhone and iPod Touch users can update or download the free IRS2Go application by visiting the iTunes App Store. Android users can visit Google Play to download the free IRS2Go app.
The newest version of the free mobile app offers a number of safe and secure ways for taxpayers to access other popular tools and the most up-to-date tax information, including:
Refund Status. Taxpayers can check the status of their federal tax refund through IRS2Go. People simply enter their Social Security number, which will be masked and encrypted for security purposes, then select their filing status and enter the amount of their anticipated refund for their 2013 tax return. A new refund status tracker has been added so that taxpayers can follow their tax return throughout the process. Users can check their refund status 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of an e-filed return, or four weeks after mailing a paper return. The IRS reminds taxpayers the tool is updated just once a day, usually overnight, so there is no reason to check more than once a day.
	 
Free Tax Prep Providers. The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. This brand new tool on IRS2Go will help taxpayers find the nearest VITA site to their home by simply entering their zip code and selecting a mileage range. By clicking on the directions button within the results, the maps application on the device will load with the address, making it easy to navigate to your desired location.
	 
Tax Records. Taxpayers can request their tax account or tax return transcript from IRS2Go. The transcript will be delivered via the U.S. Postal Service to their address of record.
	 
Stay Connected. Taxpayers can interact with the IRS by following the IRS on Twitter, @IRSnews or @IRSenEspanol, watching helpful videos on YouTube, signing up for email updates or by using the Contact Us feature.
For more information on IRS2Go, products and services through social media channels and other media products, visit www.IRS.gov.
Follow the IRS on New MediaSubscribe to IRS Newswire