Tax Press Releases

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that its Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) obtained the disbarment of Certified Public Accountant Anthony A. Tiongson for charging unconscionable fees, giving irresponsible advice to clients and making false statements to federal and state authorities, among other things. Tiongson is prohibited from preparing tax returns or representing taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service for a minimum of five years. Tiongson practiced in California. “Practitioners who abuse the trust of their clients by … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers to review their tax returns for common errors that could delay the processing of their returns. Here are some ways to avoid common mistakes. File electronically. Filing electronically, whether through e-file or IRS Free File, vastly reduces tax return errors, as the tax software does the calculations, flags common errors and prompts taxpayers for missing information. And best of all, there is a free option for everyone. Mail a paper return … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — The IRS’s Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) Program Office has issued its first report showing how LITCs provide pro bono legal services to help thousands of low income taxpayers nationwide resolve disputes with the IRS and learn about their taxpayer rights and responsibilities. “Although the LITC Program has been operating and helping taxpayers since 1999, this is the first time we have compiled a report describing the program’s activities and accomplishments. We are proud to provide this synopsis … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today reminded taxpayers that quick and easy solutions are available if they can’t file their returns or pay their taxes on time, and they can even request relief online. The IRS says don’t panic. Tax-filing extensions are available to taxpayers who need more time to finish their returns. Remember, this is an extension of time to file; not an extension of time to pay. However, taxpayers who are having trouble paying what they owe … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service is requesting nominations for membership to the Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee (IRPAC), a federal advisory panel that advises the IRS on various tax administration issues. The IRPAC presents an annual report to the IRS Commissioner at a public meeting in the fall. The 2014 IRPAC committee will consist of 21 volunteers. Members are appointed to three-year terms by the Commissioner, but terms are staggered so that approximately one-third of the panel changes each … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service announced today the release of IRS2Go 3.0, an update to its smartphone application that offers practical tax tools and information for the first time in either Spanish or English. The free mobile app offers taxpayers a number of safe and secure ways to access popular tools and the most up-to-date tax information. For the new version, IRS2Go is available for the first time in Spanish. The taxpayers’ phone language settings determine whether the IRS2Go … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams, reminding taxpayers to use caution during tax season to protect themselves against a wide range of schemes ranging from identity theft to return preparer fraud. The Dirty Dozen listing, compiled by the IRS each year, lists a variety of common scams taxpayers can encounter at any point during the year. But many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their tax … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today released the 2012 IRS Data Book, a snapshot of agency activities for the fiscal year. The report describes activities conducted by the IRS from Oct. 1, 2011, to Sept. 30, 2012, and includes information about returns filed, taxes collected, enforcement, taxpayer assistance and the IRS budget and workforce, among others. During fiscal year 2012, the IRS collected almost $2.5 trillion in federal revenue and processed 237 million returns, of which almost 145 million … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON —The Internal Revenue Service today provided late-payment penalty relief to individuals and businesses requesting a tax-filing extension because they are attaching to their returns any of the forms that couldn’t be filed until after January. The relief applies to the late-payment penalty, normally 0.5 percent per month, charged on tax payments made after the regular filing deadline. This relief applies to any of the forms delayed until February or March, primarily due to the January enactment of the American … Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced it is seeking public comments regarding the development of a model memorandum of understanding between Competent Authorities on certain transfer pricing issues. The IRS specifically seeks comments on bilateral safe harbors with regard to arm’s length compensation for routine distribution functions. Such routine distribution functions are frequently an issue in transfer pricing cases.  On June 6, 2012, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) issued a discussion draft on Safe Harbours, … Continue reading →