Tag Archives: IRS Alerts

IRS Continues Efforts to Ensure Accurate Return Preparation; Reminds Tax Preparers to Sign Up for PTINs

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has started sending out more than 10,000 letters to tax return preparers nationwide to remind them of their obligation to prepare accurate tax returns on behalf of their clients.

Also, during the 2011 filing season, IRS representatives will visit approximately 2,500 tax return preparers who received these letters to further discuss their responsibilities as a return preparer and to verify their compliance with existing requirements.

The tax agency is sending the letters to paid preparers who completed tax returns in which the IRS has identified common errors. The letter includes an enclosure that reminds tax return preparers of their responsibilities and consequences of filing incorrect returns. Continue reading →

IRS e-signature Policy Change for the use of the electronic signature pad for Form 8879 and Form 8878

The IRS has approved the use of an electronic signature pad by Electronic Return Originators (EROs) to have taxpayers sign Forms 8879 and 8878.

Taxpayers must be present in the ERO’s office where the electronic signature pad is located to sign using the signature pad. The ERO must retain the forms with the taxpayers’ signatures and provide a copy to the taxpayer upon request.

This policy change has been updated in the Web version of Publication 1345 information titled; Authorized IRS e-file Providers e-filing Individual Income Tax Returns at IRS.gov. You will find it specifically on the IRS e-file Signature Authorization link under Signing an Electronic Tax Return.

IRS Expands Use of Twitter to Help Taxpayers, Tax Professionals

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced the availability of expanded Twitter feeds to share timely information with taxpayers and the tax professional community.

The IRS Twitter news feed, @IRSnews, provides the latest federal tax news and information for taxpayers. The focus of the IRS Twitter messages will be on easy-to-use information, including tax tips, tax law changes and important IRS programs such as e-file, the earned income tax credit and “Where’s My Refund.” Anyone with a Twitter account can follow @IRSnews by going tohttp://twitter.com/IRSnews. Continue reading →

Inside this Issue of Outreach Corner

The December Outreach Corner includes the following articles.

  1. Didn’t get your 2009 Refund? It may be waiting for you.
  2. Student Loans– Applying for a student loan is now easier.
  3. Tax Planning – Make taxes easier; start planning today!
  4. Adoption Credit – Tax credit of up to $13,170 for adopting a child
  5. Join the Plan–  Invest in your retirement.
  6. Year-end Check-up – for individual retirement account owners
  7. Making Work Pay Creditis still working for taxpayers.

Continue reading →

Nearly 70 Percent of Taxpayers Used IRS e-file in 2010

WASHINGTON — Nearly 99 million individuals filed their federal income tax returns electronically during 2010, a 3 percent increase in the IRS e-file rate. Of the 141.5 million returns filed so far this year, almost 70 percent were filed electronically.

Each year, more taxpayers chose to e-file their tax returns. Last year, nearly 95 million taxpayers or 67 percent used e-file. In the past decade, the number of individual tax returns e-filed has increased by 145 percent. The overall number of individual tax returns increased only by 8 percent. IRS e-file is no longer is the exception; now it is the norm. Continue reading →