IR-2013-91, Nov. 20, 2013

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) today released its annual report featuring recommendations on a wide range of tax administration matters.

“Members of IRSAC devote significant amounts of their own time to provide us with valuable feedback regarding current issues of tax administration,” said Acting IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “We appreciate their important contribution.”

IRSAC is an advisory group to the entire agency. IRSAC’s primary purpose is to provide an organized public forum for senior IRS executives and representatives of the public to discuss relevant tax issues. The advisory group held a public meeting in Washington, D.C., today.

Based on its findings and discussions, IRSAC made several recommendations on a broad array of issues and concerns including:

• The IRS needs sufficient funding to operate efficiently, provide timely and useful guidance to taxpayers and enforce current Law, so that respect for our voluntary tax system is maintained
• The IRS should continue to expand voluntary correction programs to facilitate taxpayers self-reporting prior year non-compliance
• Reducing Processing time for Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative
• Review the Transcript Request Policy for the Practitioner Priority Service (PPS) Toll-Free Line
• Risk Assessing Large Taxpayers
• Schedule M-3, Net Operating (Loss) Reconciliation for Corporations with Total assets with $10 million or more
• Strategies to Increase use of On-line Payment Agreements
• Modifications to Notice CP2030
• Guidance to Practitioners regarding Professional Obligations
• Treasury Circular 230 Enrollment of Former Internal Revenue Service Employees

IRSAC is administered by the National Public Liaison Office of the IRS. IRSAC draws its members from the tax professional community and members of academia. Today’s meeting is being held at the Melrose Hotel, 2430 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, Washington, DC.

The 2013 report can be found on IRS.gov

IR-2013-90, Nov. 15, 2013

WASHINGTON ― The Internal Revenue Service today issued a consumer alert about possible scams taking place in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. On Nov. 8, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan — known as Yolanda in the Philippines — made landfall in the central Philippines, bringing strong winds and heavy rains that have resulted in flooding, landslides, and widespread damage.

Following major disasters, it is common for scam artists to impersonate charities to get money or private information from well-intentioned taxpayers. Such fraudulent schemes may involve contact by telephone, social media, email or in-person solicitations.

The IRS cautions people wishing to make disaster-related charitable donations to avoid scam artists by following these tips:

• To help disaster victims, donate to recognized charities.
• Be wary of charities with names that are similar to familiar or nationally known organizations. Some phony charities use names or websites that sound or look like those of respected, legitimate organizations. The IRS website at IRS.gov has a search feature, Exempt Organizations Select Check, through which people may find legitimate, qualified charities; donations to these charities may be tax-deductible. Legitimate charities may also be found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) website at fema.gov.
• Don’t give out personal financial information — such as Social Security numbers or credit card and bank account numbers and passwords — to anyone who solicits a contribution from you. Scam artists may use this information to steal your identity and money.
• Don’t give or send cash. For security and tax record purposes, contribute by check or credit card or another way that provides documentation of the gift.
• If you plan to make a contribution for which you would like to claim a deduction, see IRSPublication 526, Charitable Contributions, to read about the kinds of organizations that can receive deductible contributions.

Bogus websites may solicit funds for disaster victims. Such fraudulent sites frequently mimic the sites of, or use names similar to, legitimate charities, or claim to be affiliated with legitimate charities in order to persuade members of the public to send money or provide personal financial information that can be used to steal identities or financial resources. Additionally, scammers often send email that steers the recipient to bogus websites that appear to be affiliated with legitimate charitable causes.

Taxpayers suspecting disaster-related frauds should visit IRS.gov and search for the keywords “Report Phishing.” More information about tax scams and schemes may be found at IRS.gov using the keywords “scams and schemes.”

Related Item: Disaster Relief Resources for Charities and Contributors