Friday, September 30, 2016

FYI: Important e-Services Update

Important Update for e-Services Users

The IRS is committed to protecting taxpayer and tax preparer information and maintaining the security of its systems.  As part of that effort, the IRS is strengthening the identity validating process used to access certain self-help tools on IRS.gov.

Starting late October – October 24 is the target date – e-services users will be required to re-register using the Secure Access authentication process. Users must validate their identities through this process before they can access their accounts.

All e-services users will be affected by this change. Those who use e-services for TIN Matching only also must re-register. However, because there is no exchange of sensitive data, TIN Matching will use a more streamlined process. 

For details, please see: Important Update for Your e-services Account.

Secure Access is a two-factor authentication process that meets government standards and adds greater protections against attacks by cybercriminals.  This is a more rigorous process, and part of a wider effort to protect taxpayers and the tax community. For first-time users, it requires identity proofing, financial verification and an activation code text.  Returning users must submit their username/password credentials AND a security code text.

Starting October 24, the IRS also will provide additional staff for the e-Help Desk and provide assistance to those users who are having difficulty passing Secure Access. This assistance may include identity authentication by phone and an activation code by mail which will take five to 10 calendar days for delivery.

The same Secure Access authentication process currently supports Get Transcript Online. E-services users who created a Get Transcript account after June 2016 will have their Secure Access registration automatically migrate to e-services, but they will need to change their passwords on October 24.

It helps to be prepared. Please review Secure Access: How to Register for Certain Online Self-Help Tools to learn what you need to register successfully.

Users should ensure all credentials and certificates are up-to-date prior to October 24. Those with upcoming filing requirements should consider filing early.

Over the next month we will keep you informed of the next steps involving e-services.

Thank you.

 

Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #1000247447

Stakeholder Liaison Specialist

Communications Stakeholder Outreach

Work cell phone:  510-926-0175

Jennifer.Henrie-Brown@irs.gov

IRS Video Portal
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FYI: IRS TAC appointment news for Oakland, Salinas, Laguna Niguel, CA Offices

Hello Everyone,
 
Hope all is going well with you!
 
FYI: IRS Began appointment service at the Oakland, Salinas, and Laguna Niguel Taxpayer Assistance Centers on September 12, 2016.  See below attached news releases for additional information.
 
 
 
Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #1000247447
Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
Communications Stakeholder Outreach
Work cell phone:  510-926-0175
 
_____________________________________________
From: Henrie-Brown Jennifer A
Sent: Tuesday, March 03, 2015 12:24 PM
Subject: FYI: IRS Pilot Program of Appointment Service Test for Certain Taxpayer Assistance Centers (Only 3 affected TACs are located in CA: Fresno, Redding, & Long Beach)
Importance: Low
 
 
Hello Everyone,
 
IRS management has requested we inform you IRS is conducting a pilot program of appointment service test for certain Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) this filing season beginning with ten large Taxpayer Assistance Centers.  (See below, “Appointment Service List FINAL” attachment for list of participating TACs  in the appointment service test pilot program). 
 
Note:  Fresno is the only large TAC in California noted on this list.
 
 
 
IRS hopes the results of the test will help us determine if an appointment process would benefit both the IRS and the taxpayer.
 
IRS added more TACs to this test pilot program on March 2nd. 
Note:  TACs noted on the above attached list to, “begin taking appointments later this filing season” that are located in California are Long Beach and Redding.  (IRS will begin taking appointment requests in these new locations the first week (March 2) and start serving taxpayers in appointments the following week (March 9).
 
To help raise awareness of the appointment service test with taxpayers, IRS made a national media release along with local releases at the ten initial participating locations. IRS had posted signage at the ten TACs and has updated IRS.gov with background information and the instructions needed by taxpayers to make an appointment.
 
The below attached fact sheet, “Internal Revenue Service Appointment Test” has additional information on this appointment service test pilot program.
 
 
 
 
If this test pilot program works well, additional TACs will be added in the future.
 
Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #1000247447
Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
Communications Stakeholder Outreach
510-637-2199/ fax 510-637-2434
 
 
 
 

FYI: IRS News & Events from Stakeholder Liaison

Hello Everyone,

 

Hope all is going well with you!

 

Attached is, IRS News and Events from Stakeholder Liaison.

 

IRS News and Events from Stakeholder Liaison - Please share with your members and colleagues. Select the blue links to see the full article.


 


What to Watch: IRS videos:

Featured video: Reminders for Extension Filers

If you asked for an extension to file your tax return, remember that the deadline is mid-October. Learn more at IRS.gov


Security

Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself

 

IRS and Security Summit Partners Warn of Fake Tax Bill Emails

IR-2016-123, Sept. 22, 2016 — The IRS and its Security Summit partners today issued an alert to taxpayers and tax professionals to be on guard against fake emails purporting to contain an IRS tax bill related to the Affordable Care Act

 

Important Update for Your e-services Account

Starting late October – October 24 is the target date – e-services users will be required to re-register using the Secure Access authentication process. Users must validate their identities through this process before they can access their accounts.

 

Secure Access: How to Register for Certain Online Self-Help Tools

To better protect taxpayers, the IRS recently upgraded its identity verification process for certain online self-help tools.  The purpose is to prevent taxpayer impersonations and account takeovers by identity thieves. Because the Secure Access Authentication platform is more rigorous, it helps if you prepare to register in advance.

 

Helpful Publications

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General News

IRS Urges Employers to Take Advantage of Expanded Work Opportunity Tax Credit; Employers Have until Sept. 28 to Request Certification for Many New Hires

IR-2016-122, Sept. 20, 2016 — With a key certification deadline fast approaching, the IRS today urged employers to take advantage of a valuable tax credit designed to help those who hire long-term unemployment recipients and workers who face significant barriers to employment.

 

IRS Has a Reminder for Extension Filers: Prior-Year Adjusted Gross Income Amount May Be Needed to File Electronically

IR-2016-124, Sept. 22, 2016 — The IRS has an important reminder for taxpayers who filed for an extension and face an Oct. 17 filing deadline: the adjusted gross income (AGI) amount from your 2014 return may be needed to electronically file a tax return.

 

New ITIN Acceptance Agent Program Changes

The IRS has updated procedures that affect the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) application process. Taxpayers and their representatives should review these changes identified below before requesting an ITIN:

 

Electronically Submit Your Form 8976, Notice of Intent to Operate Under Section 501(c)(4)

New legislation enacted at the end of 2015 added Section 506 to the Internal Revenue Code. Section 506 requires an organization to notify the IRS of its intent to operate as a Section 501(c)(4) organization. The IRS has developed a new form – Form 8976 – that organizations should use to provide this notification.

 

Whistleblower - Informant Award

The IRS Whistleblower Office pays money to people who blow the whistle on persons who fail to pay the tax that they owe. If the IRS uses information provided by the whistleblower, it can award the whistleblower up to 30 percent of the additional tax, penalty and other amounts it collects.

·       Publication 5251 – Whistleblower Claim Process

 

IRS Continues Comprehensive Assessment of the CAP Program

LB&I is in the process of assessing all three phases of the Compliance Assurance Process (CAP) program. The three phases are CAP, Pre-CAP and Compliance Maintenance. The assessment will include input from both internal and external stakeholders to determine if any changes are needed to the program.

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Affordable Care Act

ACA Information Center for Tax Professionals

 

Health Care Tax Tips

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Technical Guidance

T.D. 9783 Modifications to Minimum Present Value Requirements for Partial Annuity Distribution Options under Defined Benefit Pension Plans

These regulations are effective on September 9, 2016.

 

T.D. 9785 Definition of Terms Relating to Marital Status

These regulations are effective on September 2, 2016.

 

Announcement 2016-32 requests comments on ways in which Treasury and the IRS can facilitate compliance with the qualification requirements for qualified plan documents in light of the changes to the determination letter program described in Rev. Proc. 2016-37. Comments may be submitted in writing on or before December 15, 2016. 

 

Notice 2016-57 extends the temporary nondiscrimination relief for closed defined benefit plans provided in Notice 2014-5, 2014-2 I.R.B. 276, through 2017.

 

Notice 2016-55 provides guidance for income and employment tax purposes on the treatment of cash payments made by employers under leave-based donation programs for the relief of victims of the Louisiana storms.

 

Notice 2016-52 provides guidance relating to certain transactions, undertaken in anticipation of foreign-initiated income tax adjustments, which will be considered foreign tax credit splitter arrangements under section 909.

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Events

Webinars for Tax Practitioners

·       Now available on Demand! - Protect your Clients: Protect Yourself from Data Theft

 

Practitioner Local Liaison Meetings and Seminars

The IRS Small Business/Self-Employed Stakeholder Liaison Office offers periodic local liaison meetings and seminars for the tax professional community. These sessions are designed to share important information about IRS programs and issues with tax professionals

 

Tax Exempt & Government Entities

·        Available on Demand! – Government Information Letter

·        Online educational programs available anytime at www.stayexempt.irs.gov

 

Webinars for Businesses

·       IRS Focus Series: Identity Theft and Phishing Scams – September 27, 2016

 

California Workshops for Small Business Owners

Please share these links with your small business clients. The workshops provide detailed instructional lessons that cover their tax filing, paying and operating requirements and responsibilities

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I hope you find this information useful. If you would like additional information, you can subscribe to an IRS e-Subscription by going to the Subscription page on IRS.gov.

 

If you would like to discontinue receiving my local Stakeholder Liaison e-mails, please e-mail and request removal of your name.

 

Have a great day, and a wonderful weekend!

 

 

Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #1000247447

Stakeholder Liaison Specialist

Communications Stakeholder Outreach

Work cell phone:  510-926-0175

Jennifer.Henrie-Brown@irs.gov

IRS Video Portal
Follow us on Twitter, YouTube