IR-2013-61, June 19, 2013

WASHINGTON — The Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC) presented its2013 Annual Report to Congress during a public meeting today. The report discusses five groups of recommendations on issues in electronic tax administration.

Highlights of the report include recommendations on the following key outcomes:

• Approve standards for security, privacy and fraud prevention
• Provide incentives for e-filing employment tax returns
• Expand access to data and online tools
• Leverage relationships in the electronic filing community
• Fund CADE 2 and the 1040 Modernized e-file (MeF) programs

“The IRS appreciates the committee’s hard work and efforts to help the agency improve electronic tax administration for all taxpayers,” said Carol A. Campbell, Director of the Return Preparer Office. “We look forward to reviewing the recommendations that ETAAC members have carefully crafted.”

The 15-member committee provides an organized public forum for discussion of electronic tax administration issues and the overriding goal that paperless filing should be the preferred and most-convenient method of filing tax and information returns.

“With extraordinary challenges facing all sectors of the federal government along with unprecedented budgetary constraints intensified by the 2013 sequester, ETAAC commends the IRS in effectively and efficiently addressing its strategic priorities and, in particular, the significant progress the agency has made toward achieving its 80 percent electronic filing goal,” said Alice Burnett, ETAAC Chair. “The committee further recommends the IRS continue its steadfast focus on fraud and identify theft prevention, as well as the development of additional online tools to better serve the taxpayer and tax preparation community.”

ETAAC submits an annual progress report to Congress each June. The IRS created the ETAAC in 1998 as required by the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998.

The report is the result of research and analysis as well as meetings with senior IRS executives.

Public comments on the report may be sent to etaac@irs.gov.

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IRS Special Edition Tax Tip 2013-12, June 17, 2013

Do you own or operate a small business? Or do you plan to start a business someday soon? If you answered yes to either question, the IRS has online information, support and services that may be helpful to you.

Small Business Week Webinars.  During National Small Business Week 2013, the IRS is hosting two free, live small business webinars. Go online to learn about the many tax benefits available to businesses. You will also learn how to avoid common mistakes made by small businesses. IRS staff will answer questions during each webinar.

• Attend the free live webinars on June 18 and June 20 at 2 p.m. (ET).
• Register for the events at IRS Webinars for Small Businesses.
• Although tax professionals will not get continuing education credits, they will receive lots of useful information.

If you’re unable to attend the live events, you can view the archived versions on the IRS Video Portal. They’ll be available about three weeks after the broadcasts.

Online Support Anytime.  The IRS offers many online products and services for small businesses. They’re available any day of the week throughout the year on IRS.gov. Here are just a few examples of the business resources the IRS offers:

• The Online Learning and Educational Products page features useful small business tools. The Online Tax Calendar helps you keep track of important tax deadlines. You can subscribe to e-News for Small Businesses to help you stay on top of the latest tax news affecting small businesses.
• The Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center is for sole proprietors, independent contractors, members of partnerships, and others who are in business for themselves. Check it out for self-employed tax information and more tools.
• The Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center is for small businesses with assets under $10 million. Visit this page for resources like Small Business Taxes: the Virtual Workshop. This popular class helps you learn the basics of federal taxes. It offers nine lessons to help you navigate tax issues so your small business can thrive.

Visit IRS.gov for more information and federal tax news for small businesses. You can also get small business forms and publications on the IRS website or by calling 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676).