Thursday, February 28, 2013

FYI: Recruitting for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)

Hello Everyone,
 
I hope all is going well with you!
 
Our Local Taxpayer Advocate, Tiffany Todaro, requested I share the below information with you.
 
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
 

The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) is inviting civic-minded individuals to apply to become a member of their dynamic volunteer organization whose mission is to improve the IRS. 

Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP)

The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel is a group of citizen volunteers whose mission is to listen to taxpayers, identity taxpayers' issues, and make recommendations for improving IRS service and customer satisfaction. 

 

The Panel is a Federal Advisory Committee established under the authority of the Department of the Treasury.  The TAP includes representatives from all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and new for this year, U.S. citizens living abroad.  The IRS has made a commitment to listen to ideas from TAP members. 

 

How to Apply:

Complete and submit the application online at the TAP web site between February 22, 2013 and April 1, 2013:  

www.improveirs.org

 

 

Please call the TAP toll-free number 1-888-912-1227 and choose prompt number five for additional information about TAP or the application process.  Callers who are outside of the U.S. should call 954-423-7973 (not a toll-free call).  You may also contact the TAP staff at taxpayeradvocacypanel@irs.gov for assistance.    

 

To qualify as a TAP member, applicants must be a U.S. citizen and able to commit 200-300 volunteer hours per year to the panel.  Applicants must also be current with tax obligations and pass an FBI criminal background check.

 

TAP is a unique opportunity for citizens to have direct input into improving IRS products and services.  Candidates will have until April 1, 2013 to submit their application.  Selected applicants will either serve a three-year membership term beginning in December 2013, or be chosen as an alternate member to be considered for membership if a vacancy occurs during the next three years. Thank you for your time and consideration in this matter.

 

Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #94-07690
Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
Communications Stakeholder Outreach
510-637-2199/ fax 510-637-2434
 
 
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Friday, February 22, 2013

FYI: IRS Stakeholder Liaisons' News & Events including ITIN Program Webinar (on 2-26-2013)

 

Hello Everyone,

 

I hope all is going well with you!

Below is news and events information for practitioners including a new ITIN Acceptance Agents On-Demand Webinar scheduled for February 26, 2013.  Please share the below information with your colleagues.  Select the blue links to see full articles.  Thank you! 

 

Newsroom                                                                                                         

 

IRS Seeks Applications for the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee
IR-2013-20, Feb. 15, 2013 — The IRS is accepting nominations for membership on the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee through April 1.

 

IMRS Hot Issues

Due to late tax law changes, stockpiling rule does not apply; Loving vs. IRS court case regarding registered tax return preparers; Additional Medicare Tax and Net Investment Income Tax and more . . .

 

IRS Technical Guidance

 

IRS Statement on "Where's My Refund?" Tool - Feb. 14, 2013

The IRS alerted taxpayers and the tax community it is experiencing high traffic on “Where's My Refund?” as more tax returns come in. The heavy volume of refund inquiries means that the IRS anticipates both "Where's My Refund?" on IRS.gov and the refund feature on the IRS2go phone app will have limited availability during busier periods.

·         You don't need to check “Where's My Refund?” more than once a day as your information will not change. 

·         To avoid system delays, the best time to check on refunds is evening and weekends.

·         There is no need to call the IRS about your refund; the telephone service has the same information that is available on “Where’s My Refund?”

 

List of IRS forms that 1040 filers can begin filing in March 2013

The following tax forms will be accepted by the IRS during the first week of March after updating forms and completing programming and testing of its processing systems. A specific date will be announced in the near future.

 

Considering an offer in compromise?

Before starting the paperwork, use the new OIC pre-qualifier tool to:

•        Determine eligibility

•        Calculate a preliminary offer amount

Related link: Offer in Compromise

 

Tax Practice: Proposed Revisions to IRS Circular 230 Set New Standards for ‘Reasonable’ Practices   -   BNA Daily Tax Report, February 14, 2013 - By Florence Olsen

Under proposed “reasonableness” standards for Circular 230, employee benefit attorneys who provide written tax advice may not rely on information from benefit plan sponsors if the attorneys know or should know that the information is incorrect or incomplete, an Internal Revenue Service official said Feb. 13 during an agency-sponsored phone forum.

 

Rev. Rul. 2013-7 - This revenue ruling provides various prescribed rates for federal income tax purposes for March 2013 (the current month).

 

Notice 2013-16 - Per Capita Payments from Proceeds of Settlements of Indian Tribal Trust Cases

Notice 2013-1, 2013-3 IRB 281, provides guidance on the federal tax treatment of per capita payments that members of Indian tribes receive from proceeds of certain settlements of tribal trust cases between the United States and those Indian tribes.  Additional tribes have settled tribal trust cases against the United States since publication of Notice 2013-1. This notice provides an updated Appendix that reflects the additional settlement agreements.

 

Rev. Proc. 2013-20 - This revenue procedure modifies Revenue Procedure 2011-14, 2011-4 I.R.B. 330, to provide procedures for a taxpayer to obtain the automatic consent of the Commissioner under § 446(e) of the Internal Revenue Code to change its method of accounting under § 263A for the production of one or more plants removed from the list of plants grown in commercial quantities in the United States having a pre-productive period in excess of two years based on the nationwide weighted average pre-productive period for such plant.

 

Rev. Rul. 2012-32 - Section 6621.--Determination of Rate of Interest - 26 CFR 301.6621-1: Interest rate.

Section 6621 of the Internal Revenue Code establishes the interest rates on overpayments and underpayments of tax.

 

IRS Provides Details on Forensic Training for Certified Acceptance Agents; Deadline Extended to Dec. 31

Based on comments and feedback from the Certified Acceptance Agent (CAA) community, the IRS is extending the deadline for CAAs and responsible parties to complete the forensic training requirement to Dec. 31, 2013.  The Internal Revenue Service currently does not endorse any particular vendor.

Events

 

Phone Forum - Retirement Plans:

Overview of the 2012 Cumulative List of Plan Qualification Changes Webinar - February 28, 2013

 

IRS Nationwide Tax Forums 2013 Locations and Dates

For dates and more, go to the website.

 

California Workshops for Small Business Owners:  Please share this link with your small business clients.  The workshops cover their tax filing, paying and operating requirements and responsibilities.

 

 


Attention Acceptance Agents
 
Important Information for all ITIN Acceptance Agents
 
Posted February 26, 2013 
 
The Internal Revenue Service announces a new ITIN Acceptance Agents On-Demand Webinar - to provide Acceptance Agents with information regarding the Changes to the ITIN Program effective January 1, 2013
 
 
IRS On-Demand Webinar for ITIN Acceptance Agents
 
The Internal Revenue Service announces the release of a new on-demand webinar with information specifically for Acceptance Agents.  All authorized representatives are required to view this free webinar presentation that will take approximately 25 minutes of your time.  This webinar will provide you with information for the 2013 ITIN Program Changes effective January 1, 2013.
 
The pre-recorded webinar will air on February 26, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time (1:00 p.m Central, Noon Mountain Time, and 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time).  Participation in the ITIN on-demand webinar is easy. Just click the link:  http://www.visualwebcaster.com/IRS/92207/reg.asp?id=92207 to register and access the webinar video and accompanying Power Point presentation, which is downloadable for future reference.
 
Once selected, the link will take you to the registration pages.  Click the link above to "Sign up now," register and submit.  If you are not able to view the entire video on February 26,  you will be able to access the video again beginning March 5 through May 5, 2013.  Click on the link on the registration page for Download Outlook Calendar Reminder to place a reminder on your calendar. 
 
Note:  Since this video requires registration, we will be able to monitor participation.  
 
Email your questions or comments to  ITINProgramOffice@irs.gov.  
 

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  Jennifer.Henrie-Brown@irs.gov and request removal of your name. 

 

Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #94-07690
Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
Communications Stakeholder Outreach
510-637-2199/ fax 510-637-2434

 

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Monday, April 16, 2012

FYI: IRS Webinar - Ethics presentation on overview of Circular 230 - May 7th

Hello Everyone,
 
Please see below information about Free Ethics Webinar given by Karen Hawkins, IRS Director of Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
Got Ethics? 
 
Need Ethics CE Credit…for FREE?
 
Get the latest - directly from Karen Hawkins, IRS Director of OPR, during this FREE two-hour webinar…
 
Topic: Circular 230 Overview: Key Provisions & Responsibilities for Tax Professionals
 
Date:  Monday, May 7, 2012
 
Time:  11:00 a.m. (Pacific); Noon (Mountain); 1:00 p.m. (Central); 2:00 p.m. (Eastern)
 
What's Covered:
  • Recent changes to Circular 230
  • New regulations governing tax practice
  • Overview of key provisions
  • Practitioner responsibilities
  • Important issues for all tax professionals
 
CPE:  Earn up to TWO CE Credits for Ethics
 
Information & Registration:  
 
Click on the following link to register:  http://www.visualwebcaster.com/IRS/86227/reg.asp?id=86227
 
 
                
 
Please share this information, including the flyer, with your tax professional members and colleagues.  Thank you!
 
Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #94-07690
Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
Communications Stakeholder Outreach
510-637-2199/ fax 510-637-2434
 
 
 
 
 
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Tuesday, April 10, 2012

FYI: IRS Workshop for Tax Exempt Organizations on April 26th (San Francisco)

Hello Everyone,
 
IRS is giving a workshop for small and medium-sized tax-exempt organizations, Navigating the IRS Workshop for 501(c)3 Public Charities, which will be held at San Francisco State University on April 26, 2012 from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.  This workshop is to help small and medium-sized tax-exempt organizations comply with their tax obligations and maintain their tax-exempt status.  The workshop is for tax-exempt organizations and tax preparers who work with them.   
 
IRS revenue agents and tax law specialists will lead the workshop which will cover the "nuts and bolts" of tax compliance for exempt organizations.  Workshop topics include an in-depth discussion of activities that can jeopardize 501(c)(3) status, unrelated business income, gaming and employment issues.  Particular emphasis will be given to explaining resources available to help with completing the revised Form 990 and 990-EZ annual information returns that tax-exempt organizations submit to the IRS. 
 
Please see attached IRS press release for additional information, and share this information with your members and tax-exempt organizations so they can take advantage of, and benefit, from this information.   Thank you!
 
Workshop Information:
Workshop:  Navigating the IRS Workshop for 501(c)3 Public Charities
Date:  April 26, 2012
Time:  9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Location:  San Francisco State University's Seven Hill's Conference Center, 800 Font Blvd., Mary Ward Hall, San Francisco  CA 94132
For more information or to register, go to http://cel.sfsu.edu/irs/index.cfm or call 415-817-4462.
 
 
Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #94-07690
Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
Communications Stakeholder Outreach
510-637-2199/ fax 510-637-2434

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Friday, April 6, 2012

IRS News & Events from Stakeholder Liaison (4-6-2012)

Hello Everyone,
 
I hope all is going well with you!
 
Below is our local IRS Stakeholder Liaison News & Events for April 6, 2012.  Also, our Local Taxpayer Advocate has requested we forward information about volunteering for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (information located below IRS Stakeholder Liaison News & Events).  Please share this information with your members and colleagues.  Thank you! 
 
Have a great day, and weekend!

 

Select the blue links to see the full article.

Newsroom                                                                                                                   April 6, 2012

 

 

CCE Practitioner Priority Service is a new toll-free resource for tax professionals responding to campus correspondence examination calls and correspondence.

 

Prepared Remarks Commissioner of Internal Revenue Douglas H. Shulman before the National Press Club
IR-2012-42, April 5, 2012 ― Prepared Remarks Commissioner of Internal Revenue Douglas H. Shulman before the National Press Club

 

Remarks of Steven T. Miller, IRS Deputy Commissioner, Service and Enforcement, Before the Tax Executives Institute, Mid-Year Conference
Prepared Remarks of Steven T. Miller, IRS Deputy Commissioner Service and Enforcement, Before the Tax Executives Institute, Mid-Year Conference, March 26, 2011


IRS Provides Penalty Relief to Farmers Affected by MF Global Bankruptcy
IR-2012-37, March 23, 2012 — IRS will provide relief to farmers who incur penalties because they didn't timely receive Forms 1099 from MF Global or its court appointed trustee, and were unable to file their 2011 tax return by March 1, 2012.

IRS Releases FY 2011 Data Book
IR-2012-36, March 22, 2012 — Fiscal Year 2011 stats are available in the recently issued IRS Data Book.

IRS Seeks Volunteers for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel
IR-2012-35, March 19, 2012 — The IRS seeks volunteers to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP), a federal advisory committee that listens to taxpayers, identifies key issues, and makes recommendations for improving IRS service.

IRS Creates Online Search Tool for Easier Check on Information About Exempt Organizations
IR-2012-34, March 14, 2012 — A new online search tool, Exempt Organizations Select Check, has been launched to help users more easily find key information about tax-exempt organizations, such as federal tax status and filings.

IMRS Hot Issues, April 1, 2012

IRS Offers New Penalty Relief under Fresh Start Initiative, Beware of Phony Refund Scheme Abusing Popular College Tax Credit, Return Preparer Update and more . . .

 

IRS Technical Guidance

 

Delay for Some Enrolled Agents Awaiting Renewal Cards

Some enrolled agents are still experiencing delays in the processing of renewal applications. For those individuals who timely filed a renewal application and have an enrollment card with an expiration date of March 31, 2012, the card is valid for another 60 days or until receipt of a new card.  Enrollment will not expire due to this IRS delay.

 

Headliner 326 - IRS Updates the Allowable Living Expense Standards for 2012, April 2, 2012

The Internal Revenue Service released the 2012 update to the Collection Financial standards, also known as the Allowable Living Expense standards on April 2.

 

Headliner 327 - New Practitioner Priority Service for Campus Correspondence Examinations, April 2, 2012

Tax professionals responding to Campus Correspondence Examination telephone calls and/or correspondence can take advantage of a new service beginning April 2.  Tax professionals can access the CCE Practitioner Priority Service by calling the PPS toll-free number and selecting the Correspondence Examination option.

 

Announcement 2012-16 announces the July 27, 2012 filing deadline for Telephone Excise Tax Refund requests and confirms that the IRS will continue to process requests for the refund of the wrongfully collected Telephone Excise Taxes described in Notice 2006-50 and Notice 2007-11.

 

Which Form? Chart Explains Foreign Asset Reporting

The new Form 8938, Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets, does not eliminate a taxpayer’s obligation to file Form TD F 90-22.1, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Some taxpayers are required to file both.

 

IRS Issues Final Regulations on Public Inspection of EO Material

The IRS recently published final regulations on Public Inspection of Material Relating to Tax-Exempt Organizations (TD 9581) that affects organizations that were exempt but are no longer exempt from Federal income tax, and organizations that were denied tax-exempt status.

 

New COBRA Audit Technique Guide

A new Audit Technique Guide covers tax examinations involving the continuation of employee health care coverage.

 

IRS2Go is an IRS-developed app designed to help taxpayers

The app lets taxpayers check on the status of their refund, sign up for helpful tax tips or get the most recent IRS Twitter feeds. Download IRS2Go, then connect with the IRS whenever you want, wherever you are.

 

Recent Developments for Tax Forms, Instructions, and Publications

Corrections to Publication 515, Withholding of Tax on Nonresident Aliens and Foreign Entities -- 4-APR-2012, Revised 2012 Forms W-2, W-3SS, and 2012 General Instructions for Forms W-2 and W-3; Note Regarding 2012 Form W-3 -- 22-MAR-2012, Update to the Instructions for 2011 Forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ -- 16-MAR-2012, and more . . .

Events

 

National/Local Phone Forums and Webinars for Practitioners

  • No events scheduled

 

Retirement Plans - Phone Forums

 

Register for Upcoming Workshops for Small and Medium-sized 501(c)(3)s

  • San Diego (April 24) hosted by University of San Diego
  • San Francisco (April 26) hosted San Francisco State University

 

IRS Nationwide Tax Forum Information

The IRS Nationwide Tax Forums offer three full days of seminars with the latest word from IRS leadership and experts in the fields of tax law, compliance and ethics.

 

California Workshops for Small Business Owners

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

 

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 our local Stakeholder Liaison e-mails, please e-mail Jennifer.Henrie-Brown@irs.gov  and  request removal of your name.


Jennifer Henrie-Brown, ID #94-07690
Stakeholder Liaison Specialist
Communications Stakeholder Outreach
510-637-2199/ fax 510-637-2434

IRS Invites Taxpayers to Apply for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel
TAP is made up of citizen volunteers who help the IRS improve taxpayer service View full-sized image

The IRS is inviting civic-minded individuals to help improve the nation’s tax agency by applying to become members of the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP). This year’s application period runs from March 19 to April 27, 2012.

Current IRS employees cannot serve on the Panel, but your assistance in helping to recruit good candidates is appreciated. The TAP is a Federal Advisory Committee, established under the authority of the Department of the Treasury, to allow citizens the opportunity to participate in improving America’s tax administration system by providing direct input to the IRS. The Panel is comprised of approximately 80 ethnically diverse citizens from all walks of life, with balanced representation from each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Applicants must be:

  • U.S. citizens;
  • Current with all federal tax obligations;
  • Able to pass an FBI criminal background check;
  • Not registered lobbyists; and
  • Willing to commit 300 to 500 hours during the year to the panel.

Potential candidates should complete and submit an application online at www.improveirs.org. For additional information about TAP or the application process, candidates should call 1-888-912-1227. All applications must be received no later than April 27.

The TAP program is supported by the Taxpayer Advocate Service and works with the National Taxpayer Advocate and the IRS operating divisions to identify issues that will benefit from citizen input. The operating divisions use the TAP to obtain input and recommendations regarding tax products and services or program changes that affect taxpayers.

“In trying to comply with an increasingly complex tax system, taxpayers may find they need different services than the IRS is currently providing,” said Nina E. Olson, National Taxpayer Advocate. “The TAP is vital because it provides the IRS with the taxpayer’s perspective as well as recommendations for improvement. This will help the IRS deliver the best possible service to assist taxpayers in meeting their tax obligations.”
 
Tiffany J. Todaro
Taxpayer Advocate Service
Local Taxpayer Advocate
(510) 637-3079 phone
(510) 637-2511 fax
 
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