Saturday, June 27, 2009
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Thursday, June 18, 2009
Recruiting Practitioners for NTF focus groups
For the nineteenth consecutive year, the Internal Revenue Service is hosting six Nationwide Tax Forums in July, August and September. This three-day program provides the tax practitioner community with the latest IRS information.
This year each forum has four focus groups which are concentrating on topics that affect small business and self employed taxpayers. We need your candid feedback to improve IRS practices, policies and procedures essential to this taxpayer group.
The IRS scheduled the focus groups so that they will not interfere with one time presentations or the accumulation of CPE credits. You can even bring a brown bag to a lunch time focus group so you will not miss out on other tax forum activities.
Call or e-mail me if you are interested in participating in a focus group. We will contact you with more information about how to pre-register to participate in an SB/SE focus group and receive an appointment card for one of the following topics:
· Effects of Federal Tax Liens During Foreclosures, Sales, or Refinancing
IRS is looking for practitioner insight with respect to new legislation and the processes related to foreclosures, discharges and subordinations when there is a federal tax lien filed.
· Improving Customer Satisfaction in the OIC Program
Tax professional feedback will help IRS determine both positive and negative feedback impacting customer satisfaction and provide insight on whether OIC procedures or program changes are needed.
· Your Clients and the Economy - How can the IRS help?
IRS is looking for ways to assist taxpayers during the economic downturn and recovery including avoiding and resolving tax problems with the IRS.
· Surviving an IRS Audit
Insight from tax professionals will help the IRS bridge the gap between taxpayer’s expectations and IRS practices in an audit.
If you haven’t already, beat the deadline and save $129 by registering early for the upcoming IRS Nationwide Tax Forums. Learn about the latest changes in federal taxes, earn CPE credits and pick up tips for your business while networking with professionals from across the country. To register, go to www.taxforuminfo.com and click on "Registration". Seminar descriptions, Exhibit Hall information and Frequently Asked Questions are also available online.
Bring your toughest unresolved case to the IRS staff in the Practitioner Case Resolution room. To expedite appointment scheduling, bring a completed Nationwide Tax Forum Case Data Sheet with you. Click on the link Make the Forum Work for You to access the form online.
Approximately 14,000 tax professionals attended the 2008 forums and we look forward to seeing you in
Gerry Kelly-Brenner
Senior Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
SBSE Communications, Liaison & Disclosure
1301 Clay Street, Suite 1090S
Oakland, CA 94612
Phone: (510) 637-3036
Fax: (510) 637-2434
Email: Geraldine.Kelly-Brenner@irs.gov
Monday, June 15, 2009
News Events from IRS Stakeholder Liaison
Please share with your members and colleagues. Select the blue links to see the full article
Newsroom June 15, 2009
Special Tax Break on New Car Purchases Available in States With No Sales Tax
IR-2009-60, June 10, 2009 — The IRS and Treasury Department today announced that a tax break for the purchase of new motor vehicles is available in states that do not have a state sales tax.
IRS Clarifies Requirement for Filing FBAR Form Due This Month
IR-2009-58, June 5, 2009 — The IRS announced today that it would allow taxpayers to rely on a prior definition of a United States person in determining FBAR filing requirements for the June 30, 2009 deadline.
IRS Launches Tax Return Preparer Review; Recommendations to Improve Compliance Expected by Year End
IR-2009-57, June 4, 2009 — IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman announced he will propose a comprehensive set of recommendations to help the IRS better leverage the tax return preparer community with the twin goals of increasing taxpayer compliance and ensuring high ethical standards of tax preparers.
Spring 2009 Statistics of Income Bulletin Now Available
IR-2009-56, May 29, 2009 — Statistics about the tax returns filed by individuals with high incomes for 2006 are now available.
IRS Offers Tax Credit Guidance to Businesses Hiring Unemployed Veterans and Certain Youth
IR-2009-55, May 28, 2009 — Businesses that hired veterans and certain younger workers during the first part of 2009 should be aware of Aug. 17 certifiation date for the work opporturnity tax credit (WOTC).
Update on ARRA Recovery Tax Provisions for Individuals and Businesses
Find out about tax deductions, credits and other aspects of the economic recovery law.
Technical Guidance
Announcement 2009-51 covers the temporary suspension of FBAR filing requirements for persons who are not citizens, residents or domestic entities. It will be published in IRB 2009-25 dated June 22, 2009.
Notice 2009-49 provides guidance under section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) on certain transactions pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. It will be published in IRB 2009-25 dated June 22, 2009.
Notice 2009-52 describes the procedures taxpayers will be required to follow to make the irrevocable election to take the investment tax credit determined under section 48 in lieu of the production tax credit under section 45 with respect to certain renewable energy facilities. It will be published in IRB 2009-25 dated June 22, 2009.
Notice 2009-53 updates interim guidance, pending the issuance of regulations, relating to the credit for nonbusiness energy property under section 25C. It will be published in IRB 2009-25 dated June 22, 2009.
Events
National Phone Forums (http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=158856,00.html)
Early Registration Discount Now Available for Tax Forums
IR-2009-59, June 10, 2009 — Those who register now will pay less for an opportunity to learn the latest about preparing tax returns and to earn Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits.
Register now for a free webinar, IRS Disaster and Emergency Relief. Attend one of three June 17 events to receive a Certificate of Completion for CPE credit.
Senate Appropriations: On Tuesday, June 9th, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Commissioner Douglas Shulman testified before the Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government at a hearing on Fiscal Year 2010 Appropriations.
In his testimony, Secretary Geithner highlighted the Administration’s new policies to curb the use of off-shore tax havens, close the international tax gap, remove tax incentives for companies to shift jobs overseas, and replace these incentives with ones that encourage creation of jobs at home. The Secretary also noted the proposed funding for the IRS in the President’s Budget for IT security, modernization and performance upgrades and enforcement efforts, including the international tax gap.
In his testimony, Commissioner Shulman urged support for the President’s Budget commenting it provided a strategic and wise investment in the nation’s tax system, and would enable the IRS to stay on a path of continuous improvement in such critical areas as service, enforcement, technology, and human capital. Commissioner Shulman reiterated his plan to make recommendations to Secretary Geithner and President Obama on how to better leverage the tax preparer community to increase compliance and ensure uniform and high ethical standards of conduct for preparers. During the hearing, members asked the Commissioner about the most common mistakes on tax returns, the reduced level of phone service at the IRS, the tax gap, RALs, paid preparers, and IT security.
Nomination Update
On Wednesday, June 10th, the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, & Urban Affairs ordered favorably reported the nomination of Herbert Allison Jr. to be Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Financial Stability.
On Thursday, June 11th, the Senate Committee on the Judiciary ordered favorably reported the nomination of Mary Smith, to be Assistant Attorney General in the Justice Department's Tax Division.
Legislative Update
On Friday, June 5th, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce filed its Committee Report (H. Rept. 111-137, Part I) on H.R. 2454, "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009," which triggered a time-limited referral of the bill for the secondary committees that also have jurisdiction, including the House Committee on Ways and Means. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi granted an extension of the referral until June 19th, meaning the secondary committees must complete action on their portion of the bill by the due date. However, an additional extension may be granted by the Speaker if requested.
On Monday, June 8th, Sen. Max Baucus introduced S. 1203, “GROWTH Act,” which would extend the research credit through 2010 and increase and make permanent the alternative simplified research credit. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
On Tuesday, June 9th, the House passed under suspension of the rules H.R. 2751, “Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act” by a vote of 298-119 and 2 voting present. Contained in the bill is a provision that would exclude from gross income a voucher to purchase a vehicle under the temporary vehicle trade-in program.
On Tuesday, June 9th, Sen. Max Baucus (along with Sen. Kent Conrad) introduced S. 1213 “Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Act of 2009,” which would establish a patient-centered outcomes research trust fund. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Finance.
On Tuesday, June 9th, Sen. Chris Dodd released a draft of the health care reform bill, "Affordable Health Choices Act." The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions is scheduled to markup the draft bill on Tuesday, June 16th. The draft bill would provide a credit to employers for costs associated with automatically enrolling employees and withholding premiums from wages for purposes of a new voluntary long-term care program; and amend Code section 6103 to allow the IRS to share taxpayer information for purposes of determining program eligibility.
On Wednesday, June 10th, the Senate invoked cloture on H.R. 1256, "Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act" by a vote of 67-30, thus forcing a vote on the bill. On Thursday, June 11th, the Senate passed the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1256 by a vote of 79-17. On Friday, June 12th, the House concurred in the Senate Amendment to H.R. 1256 by a vote of 307-97. The bill now makes its way to the President for his signature. The bill will enhance the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) by requiring individuals to be automatically enrolled and providing an option for individuals to elect to make contributions under a qualified Roth contribution program.
I hope you find this information useful in your tax practice. If you know someone who might want to subscribe to an IRS e-Subscription, please forward this message to them and they may go to the Subscription page on the IRS Web site to subscribe.
If you would like to discontinue receiving local Stakeholder Liaison e-mails, please e-mail James.R.Kinsey@irs.gov and request removal of your name.
Thank you,
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Special Announcement For Tax Professionals: Webinar June 17th.
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Friday, June 5, 2009
IRS News and Information & In The News
Please share with your members and colleagues. Select the blue links to see the full article
Latest News
IRS Clarifies Requirement for Filing FBAR Form Due This Month
IR-2009-58, June 5, 2009 — The IRS announced today that it would allow taxpayers to rely on a prior definition of a United States person in determining FBAR filing requirements for the June 30, 2009 deadline.
IRS Launches Tax Return Preparer Review; Recommendations to Improve Compliance Expected by Year End
IR-2009-57, June 4, 2009 — IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman announced he will propose a comprehensive set of recommendations to help the IRS better leverage the tax return preparer community with the twin goals of increasing taxpayer compliance and ensuring high ethical standards of tax preparers.
Commissioner Doug Shulman's Remarks to the OECD, June 2, 2009
Prepared Remarks of IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman Before the Organization For Economic Co-Operation And Development Washington, DC, June 2, 2009. The Commissioner discussed the challenges that exist in the global tax arena.
Spring 2009 Statistics of Income Bulletin Now Available
IR-2009-56, May 29, 2009 — Statistics about the tax returns filed by individuals with high incomes for 2006 are now available.
IRS Offers Tax Credit Guidance to Businesses Hiring Unemployed Veterans and Certain Youth
IR-2009-55, May 28, 2009 — Businesses that hired veterans and certain younger workers during the first part of 2009 should be aware of Aug. 17 certification date for the work opportunity tax credit (WOTC).
Information on the Recovery Rebate Credit.
Tax Relief in Disaster Situations
Tax relief provisions for disaster situations.
Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit
Feb. 2008 — Information on hybrid cars, including the certified car models and the amount of the tax credit or deduction for each. Frequently updated.
2008 Enforcement Statistics
IRS Reminds Small Tax-Exempt Organizations to File e-Postcards
IR-2009-49, May 6, 2009 — The IRS reminds many small tax-exempt organizations to file their annual electronic informational return.
IRS Strategic Plan, Fiscal Years 2009-2013
The plan outlines how the IRS will improve service to taxpayers and enforcement of the law over the next five years.
Compliance & Enforcement News
A collection of recent news releases, statements and other items related to IRS compliance and enforcement efforts.
Commissioner's Comments, Statements and Remarks
Various topics including tax administration, the IRS budget and tax shelters.
Voluntary Disclosure
Taxpayers with unreported income may apply for a voluntary disclosure agreement with the IRS.
Newsroom
Law Offers Special Tax Breaks for Small Business; Act Now and Save, IRS Says
IR-2009-51, May 20, 2009 — IRS urges small businesses to act now and take advantage of tax-saving opportunities included in the recovery law.
IRS Announces Withholding Adjustment Option for Pension Plans and Provides Taxpayer Education
IR-2009-50, May 14, 2009 — The IRS released new withholding adjustment procedures for pensions as part of outreach efforts to educate taxpayers about the benefits they will receive under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
E-file Hits Record 90 Million; 30 Million Filed From Home Computers
IR-2009-46, April 29, 2009 — More than 90 million tax returns have been e-filed this year. [This release includes the tax filing season statistics for the week ending April 24, 2009.]
Tax Breaks Available for Taxpayers Who Purchase Qualified Plug-In Electric Vehicles
IR-2009-45, April 24, 2009 — Plug-in electric vehicles using certain types of batteries may qualify for a new tax credit if purchased this year, the IRS said today.
Business Provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)
FS-2009-11, May 2009 — ARRA provides a number of tax incentives for businesses.
Federal Judge Permanently Bars Texas Tax Preparers
The Justice Department announced today that a federal court has permanently barred two additional former employees of Preston Tax Services, Inc., from preparing federal tax returns.
Issue Management Resolution System (IMRS) Hot Topics
Update on ARRA Recovery Tax Provisions for Individuals and Businesses
Find out about tax deductions, credits and other aspects of the economic recovery law.
Technical Guidance
Revenue Procedure 2009-29 provides the 2010 inflation adjusted amounts for health savings accounts under section 223 of the Code. It will be published in IRB 2009-22 dated June 1, 2009.
Revenue Ruling 2009-11 provides that differential pay paid to employees that go on active military duty is subject to income tax withholding, but is not subject to FICA or FUTA taxes.
Revenue Ruling 2009-15 offers several situations where an entity taxed as a partnership becomes a corporation for federal tax purposes and is eligible to make an S election effective for the corporation’s first taxable year
Events
National Phone Forums (http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=158856,00.html)
I hope you find this information useful in your tax practice. If you know someone who might want to subscribe to an IRS e-Subscription, please forward this message to them and they may go to the Subscription page on the IRS Web site to subscribe.
If you would like to discontinue receiving local Stakeholder Liaison e-mails, please e-mail James.r.kinsey@irs.gov and request removal of your name.
Thank you,
James R. Kinsey
NATIONAL MEDIA RELATIONS BRANCH
- GETTING PERSONAL: Stressing Over Offshore Tax Filing * Dow Jones Newswire
- Kerry says $819,848 tax lien is clerical error * Associated Press
- Tax Preparers: IRS Scouting Possible Tax Preparer Penalties In Estate and Gift Tax Exams, Memo Reveals * BNA Daily Tax Report
- Abramoff, gov't disputing $500,000 tax refund * Associated Press
- Tax Legislation: Reid Offers Bill to Let Tax Refund Recipients Share Funds with National Guard, Reservists * BNA Daily Tax Report
- Tax Shelters: Former BDO Seidman Vice President Pleads Guilty to Tax Shelter Charges * BNA Daily Tax Report
- IRS settlement returns $97M to International Speedway Corp. * The
- Personnel Central to IRS Electronic Defense Strategy, TIGTA says * Tax Notes Today
BNA Daily Tax Report June 4, 2009
IRS: TEI Urges Adequate Funding of IRS FY 2010 Budget Prior to House Hearing
Tax Executives Institute Inc. called on Congress June 3 to ensure that the Internal Revenue Service receives adequate funding for its fiscal year 2010 operations.
TEI's June 3 letter was sent to the chairman and ranking member of the House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee a day before a scheduled subcommittee hearing on IRS operations and its budget proposal.
The letter stated TEI's support for appropriate funding of the service so that it can carry out its enforcement, training, and modernization programs. The president's IRS budget proposal, which TEI said totals $12.1 billion, proposed more funding for enforcement programs, as well as generally level funding for service initiatives.
"Adequate funding is necessary for the IRS to achieve its overarching goals of improving taxpayers' ability to comply voluntarily with the tax laws by providing top-notch service and ensuring that all are meeting their obligation to pay tax by implementing balanced enforcement measures," TEI International President Vincent Alicandri wrote in the letter.
Congress, the IRS Oversight Board, and the Treasury Department should all work to ensure that the increased resources IRS receives are being utilized properly, Alicandri wrote. Enforcement programs in particular should be focused in a way that takes all costs and burdens to the taxpayer into account, he wrote.
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES June 3, 2009
GETTING PERSONAL: Stressing Over Offshore Tax Filing
When to file the FBAR, or Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts, and who should do it are matters of debate as the official June 30 deadline nears.
Some experts say to file on time, others say to wait. Some say the same cast of characters must file, while others say a new group may be roped in.
Big penalties may be involved for those who get it wrong.
Controversy stems from changes to the form, along with booming use of an IRS program that lets owners or managers turn themselves in voluntarily.
Hedge funds and financial firms that have ignored the form in the past are taking a close look to make sure they are dealing with the FBAR properly. They are anxious now as IRS pressure mounts on tax evaders who fail to report income from
The agency has conducted a high-profile crackdown on tax evaders involving thousands of people with Swiss bank accounts managed by UBS AG (UBS). Many account owners and managers are coming forward under an IRS voluntary disclosure program to seek leniency. A worry for some is that filing an FBAR on June 30 before starting a voluntary disclosure could make the IRS reject the disclosure.
Douglas Stransky, an attorney at Sullivan & Worcester LLP, says that while it's generally best to err on the side of over-disclosure, some people may want to hold off on filing the June 30, 2009, FBAR if they are going through a voluntary disclosure. In these cases, taxpayers would explain as part of their disclosures that they are awaiting IRS feedback on their cases.
But some attorneys say there's no advantage to waiting, and others say it's not legal to wait.
Bryan Skarlatos, a partner at
A client who comes in on June 29 should file the form on time, as required by law, and then start a voluntary disclosure as soon as possible, according to Skarlatos. If the person comes in after the June 30 deadline, he or she should start a voluntary disclosure immediately and include the 2008 FBAR as part of it. (The 2008 FBAR is due on June 30, 2009).
Teig Lawrence, a tax attorney in
Another big question for hedge funds and others now is who has to file. The U.S. Treasury revised the FBAR last year to make it clearer that hedge fund managers and other investment managers with control over offshore accounts must file. Many managers overlooked the requirement in the past.
Scott D. Michel, an attorney in the
One concern is making sure that everyone at a hedge fund or investment management firm who is required to file does in fact comply. Language on the IRS form and instructions is broad and can lead to ambiguities.
It's possible, according to Stransky of Sullivan & Worcester LLP, that hedge funds that didn't have to file in the past could be required to file now.
Generally, it's "better to err on the side of over-disclosure, even though that can be administratively burdensome," he adds.
The IRS declined to comment beyond several discussions of the FBAR it has published on its Web site.
Associated Press
The Massachusetts Democrat said the IRS mishandled payroll tax forms that he said were correctly filed by his campaign in 2005.
IRS spokesman Anthony Burke declined comment Wednesday, adding that IRS employees are precluded by law from commenting on tax cases.
The IRS notified the Kerry campaign in January 2008 that it had failed to file certain payroll tax forms for the 2004 tax year.
Smith said the IRS must have lost the payroll forms since the Kerry campaign had previously filed them in 2005. But the Kerry campaign filed them again in 2008 in response to the IRS request, she said.
The Washington Times first reported the tax lien against Kerry's campaign on Wednesday.
Kerry lost to former President George W. Bush in the 2004 race. Paperwork was filed last year with the Federal Election Commission closing down Kerry's 2004 campaign account.
"During every examination, estate tax attorneys should determine if further consideration of return preparer penalties is necessary," John Imhoff, director of specialty programs with IRS, said.
Group managers will review the return preparer penalty case files and document that they agree there is a problem, and preparers will be given an opportunity to meet with the group manager to resolve the issues, he said.
Meanwhile, referrals to the IRS director of the Office of Professional Responsibility should be based on a pattern of failing to meet the required penalty standards under Section 6694, Imhoff said. Under 6694(b), the referrals to OPR are mandatory if the penalties involve willfull neglect or reckless conduct.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former lobbyist Jack Abramoff and the Justice Department are disputing a tax refund he recently received worth more than $500,000 and whether it should be used to pay court-ordered restitution or his family's massive debts.
Abramoff's attorneys say his family, which once lived on Abramoff's lucrative salary, is now just above the poverty line on his wife's income of less than $38,000 and needs the money for living expenses. The lawyers say his wife was trying to dig them out of debt by paying legal and accounting fees, personal loans, credit card bills and their children's Hebrew school tuition from the $520,189 refund.
But the government argues that Abramoff is required to apply the refund to a $23 million restitution order that was handed down with his four-year prison sentence in September on public corruption charges.
The Justice Department filed a motion with the court on May 21 asking it to modify Abramoff's restitution order. "Yesterday, the government learned that Mr. Abramoff received a substantial refund from the Internal Revenue Service, a large portion of which he and his spouse spent before informing the government of its receipt," the motion said.
Abramoff's attorneys said in a response filed Tuesday that they were surprised at the government's reaction since the refund was negotiated with the help of Justice Department officials. "The Abramoffs proceeded under the perfectly reasonable belief that the government was aware of the tax refund that the government itself provided them," the attorneys wrote.
Abramoff has been out of work for five years and has incurred a large debt from two criminal trials and numerous civil and criminal tax issues, his lawyers wrote. The family has a $2,500 mortgage but can't sell the house because of the depressed market and a leaking roof that they have not been able to afford to repair.
"The Abramoffs have been in distress for some time," Abramoff's attorneys wrote. With the mortgage and taxes, "the annual cost of the home, without even considering utilities or the cost of repairs, is $52,000 per year — a cost well above Mrs. Abramoff's annual income. ... With each passing month, the family slides further and further into debt."
The attorneys also said Abramoff was never instructed to pay his creditors in any certain order.
BNA Daily Tax Report June 4, 2009
Reid noted that, in 2007, the Internal Revenue Service issued 106 million refunds totaling $246 billion, with an average refund of $2,342.
"Even a small percentage of this amount could make a significant difference in the lives of these reservist and National Guard families," Reid said.
A former vice-chairman and board member of the accounting firm BDO Seidman pleaded guilty June 3 to a three-count felony information charging him with conspiracy to defraud the United States in connection with tax shelter transactions involving the clients of his firm and the law firm Jenkens & Gilchrist, the Justice Department announced(United States v. Bee, S.D. N.Y., No. 09CRIM. 545, plea entered 6/3/09).
According to the information filed against him in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Charles W. Bee Jr. was also charged with tax evasion in connection with a multimillion-dollar tax shelter he helped sell to a client of his firm and to giving material false deposition testimony regarding his firm's tax shelter practice in a case before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Bee resides in
From 1998 through October 2000, Bee was one of the leaders of BDO Seidman's Tax Solutions Group. The information said the group's activities were devoted to designing, marketing, and implementing high-fee tax strategies, including tax shelters, for wealthy clients. Michael Kerekes and Adrian Dicker were also leaders of the group and previously pleaded guilty to similar fraud charges (50 DTR K-3, 3/18/09).
In fact, the short option transaction had the reasonable possibility of only earning a profit of $67,000, thus resulting in no potential profit to the client, DOJ said. The client nonetheless filed tax returns reporting false and fraudulent losses purportedly generated from the short options shelter, thereby evading a substantial amount of taxes, it said.
Finally, Bee admitted that in February 2005 he knowingly made false material statements under oath in the Court of Federal Claims Jade Trading v. United States case involving a tax shelter sold by BDO Seidman and another promoter, DOJ said (247 DTR K-1, 12/27/07).
As part of his plea agreement, Bee agreed to forfeit $20 million, representing the money his firm paid him from tax shelter fees. He also agreed, in partial satisfaction of the forfeiture, to forfeit four residences and a recreational vehicle.
IRS settlement returns $97M to International Speedway Corp.
The company had originally deposited $118 million with federal officials while the IRS audited the company's method of depreciating its racetracks. Chief Financial Officer Dan Houser said speedway officials had depreciated the tracks under the IRS asset code for theme and amusement parks and other entertainment attractions. There was a question about the timing of those deductions, not whether the deductions were legitimate, he said. Houser said the company's ultimate payment of $21million was a "fair settlement" of the matter.
Tax Notes Today June 4, 2009
Personnel Central to IRS Electronic Defense Strategy, TIGTA says
TIGTA's OI division is tasked with defending the IRS against internal and external intrusions, including hackers, phishing schemes, and browsing and fraud perpetrated by IRS employees. The report, released June 3, detailed TIGTA's activities from October 1, 2008, to March 31, 2009. (For the report, see Doc 2009-12577.)
"Experienced employees can overcome even the best internal controls and avoid detection through audits," the report said. "A decentralization of authority" adds risk to the integrity of IRS systems. "People at lower levels can now make financial decisions about taxpayer accounts, and 70 percent of IRS employees have access to some part of agency revenue or budgetary accounting systems," the report said.
Steve Jones, TIGTA deputy inspector general for investigations, told Tax Analysts that OI investigates leads generated by the IRS's internal security audit systems as well as its own information security measures within IRS.
"If someone accesses an account they're not supposed to, that's supposed to kick out on an internal security report, that's what IRS does," Jones said. "I'm looking for more nefarious things not necessarily triggered by that first line of safety check."
"Knowing how to analyze data, and knowing how the processes work," Jones said, are instrumental in detecting and investigating both internal and external electronic threats.
OI invests in technology to perform detection and analytical processes. Special agents, however, are an integral resource, Jones said.
Both TIGTA's technology and its staff need to be specialized to meet threats, Jones said. "You can't just go to Best Buy and buy software matching programs," he said, "You have to actually be conversant with patterns of activity."
"Once you've figured out what a certain pattern of suspected activity might look like, then you build a program for it to monitor it so you get automatic triggers that something else has occurred. That frees your person up to start looking at the next anomaly," he said.