Guess Who’s Back — The IRS Ramps Up Operations Again

The COVID-19 Pandemic threw a wrench in the works for the IRS, leading to office shutdowns and reduced capacity across the board. However, this won’t be the case for much…

The COVID-19 Pandemic threw a wrench in the works for the IRS, leading to office shutdowns and reduced capacity across the board. However, this won’t be the case for much longer; the Internal Revenue Service has gradually been resuming operations and channeling focus onto the following taxpayer services.

The CARES Act

Good news: the IRS is getting ready to send an additional $9 million to taxpayers who have not yet received their Economic Impact Payments.

The IP PIN Program

The Identity Protection PIN is being expanded in phases. While previously intended solely for victims of identity theft, the IP PIN Program is now being rolled out nationwide for all taxpayers with an adjusted gross income of less than $72,000. For enrollees, the IP PIN can be renewed annually through the mail or an electronic tool provided by the IRS.

The Taxpayer First Office

The Taxpayer First Act consists of a whopping 45 provisions. The Act has had a wide impact on how the IRS serves taxpayers. The overarching goals include improving the taxpayer experience and operational efficiencies. The Internal Revenue Service is still putting the finishing touches on the program, but the foundation is all but complete. These plans lay out a vision to revolutionize tax administration in our country for the 253 million citizens who interact with the IRS annually, and ensure that the $3.6 trillion of federal revenue that the IRS collects annually will continue.

Additional Changes

• The IRS continues to work on disbursing employment tax credits and family leave credits.
• Audits via e-mail and secure messaging have resumed.
• The IRS has expanded their capacity for remote work.
• The IRS will continue sending out updated balance due notices. They have a backlog of replies to contend with; these will be resolved before follow-up notices are sent.
• The IRS is still working on its backlog of paper-filed returns. You can use the IRS’s “Where’s My Refund?” tool to check your status.

 

Do you have tax problems and don’t know how to solve them? Contact us today for a free consultation.