National Taxpayer Advocate 2014 Annual Report to Congress

The National Taxpayer Advocate, an independent organization within the IRS created to help taxpayers resolve problems with the IRS and/or recommend changes to prevent problems, released its 2014 Annual Report to Congress. According to its newsroom report, taxpayers "this year are likely to receive the worst levels of taxpayer service since at least 2001 when the IRS implemented its current performance measures."

The primary sections of the report include:

• Most Serious Problems
• Legislative Recommendations
• Most Litigated Issues
• Volume 2: TAS Research and Related Studies

A link to the Executive Summary and the full report is available at http://www.taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov/2014-Annual-Report/full-2014-annual-report-to-congress/

The preface to the report was dated Dec. 31, 2014. In January libraries participating in the IRS Tax Outlet program were notified that since Congress cut IRS appropriations in the 2015 Omnibus Appropriations bill, outlets will receive Forms 1040EZ, 1040A and 1040 but not the multi-page instruction booklets (104 pages for 1040; 86 pages for 1040A; 43 pages for 1040EZ). Each program will receive only a reference copy of the popular Publication 17,  the general rules for filing a federal income tax return. Individuals are encouraged to download forms from IRS.gov/Forms or order tax products from IRS.gov/orderforms to be delivered by mail. They may also call 1-800-829-3676, but phone service is one of the problems noted in the report.

Where does your tax money go?

Now that you've paid your 2010 taxes, are you wondering how your tax money is spent? Louis Garcia and Andrew Johnson, computer engineers from Minneapolis, wondered the same. They created an easy way to view how the federal budget is spent in relation to your tax dollars. Called What We Pay For, the database assumes that tax dollars are pooled into one lump sump to spend on the programs and operations of the federal government. To be sure their data was accurate, the engineers randomly sampled over a hundred records at different levels. They also provide a feedback section for reporting any issues. For more information, check their About page.

In today's world of mashups Anil Kandangath got permission to use the data from What We Pay For to create an interactive chart for quick viewing. His Where Did My Tax Dollars Go? lets you choose the following categories to see proportionally how taxes are spent: single, married (filing jointly), married (filing separately), qualified widow(er), and head of household. Kandangath also has a tab for suggestions to improve the site.

Income Tax Deadline Extended Until April 18, 2011

If you are rushing to complete your income tax return by April 15, relax a little. Because April 15 is Emancipation Day, a District of Columbia holiday, and D.C. holidays impact tax deadlines in the same manner as federal holidays, the tax deadline has been extended until Monday, April 18, 2011. For more information see IRS Kicks Off 2011 Tax Season with Deadline Extended to April 18.

IRS Taxpayer Assistance Open House

On Saturday, June 5, 2010 approximately two hundred IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the U.S. will be open from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. to help individual taxpayers with questions about notices and payments, return preparation, and a variety of other tax issues. To find the location nearest you, access the list of Taxpaper Assistant Centers. In Houston the NW, SE, and SW offices will participate. On an email notification the downtown office was not listed as a participant in Saturday's event.

The IRS is also partnering with other organizations to assist taxpayers. In Houston the Stakeholder Partnerships, Education and Communication Office (SPEC) is located at:
Internal Revenue Service
8701 S. Gesner, Stop 6610-Hal
Houston, TX 77074

For Houston, Taxpayer Advocate Service is available at 713-209-3660.

Caution: Many IRS offices are located in Federal Office Buildings which may NOT allow visitors to bring in cell phones with camera capabilities.

Visit http://www.irs.gov for a variety of useful links.

Economic Downturn Income Tax Issues

Given the current economic situation, the IRS is beginning the 2009 tax season with information to help financially challenged taxpayers. The IRS is doing such things as postponing collection actions, being more flexible with missed payments, conducting second reviews when local real-estate valuations are in question, arranging options to help taxpayers avoid default, and expediting levy releases for hardship reasons. For more details about this assistance, see IRS Begins Tax Season 2009 with Steps to help financially Distressed Taxpayers.

The IRS has also created a page of "what-if" scenarios listing possible consequences for topics ranging from losing a job or losing a home through foreclosure to filing for bankruptcy protection, withdrawing money from an IRA, or facing drops in value for a 401k.

Economic Stimulus Payments Help on 3/29/08

Saturday, March 29, 2008 the IRS is holding “Super Saturday” to give people an opportunity to learn how to apply for the much publicized economic stimulus payments. Many IRS locations will be open especially to help those who are normally exempt (low-wage workers, disabled veterans, retirees on a limited income) from filing a tax return. According to the IRS to receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number and $3,000 of income. They must also file a 2007 federal tax return. The IRS states, “Those eligible for payments will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17.” For more information check with the above linked locations (call first to be sure a particular office is open), or call the helpline at 1-800-906-9887. The IRS has also created an Economic Stimulus Payments Information Center, a Frequently Asked Questions link, and an Economic Stimulus Payment Calculator.