WASHINGTON — The Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC) presented its 2014 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 11 recommendations on the following key outcomes:

• Remove barriers for e-filing employment tax series Form 94x
• Increase efficiency and accuracy of the foreign financial institution registration portal
• Provide one IRS-issued Personal Identification Number (PIN) as the authentication component of an electronic signature
• Create an online IRS account for individual and business taxpayers and tax professionals
• Increase accuracy and reduce burden in reporting the advance payments of the premium tax credit under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)

“The IRS appreciates that the committee worked a compressed schedule to deliver a timely report. We welcome your industry expertise and thoughtful recommendations for consolidating PINs, creating online accounts and improving e-filing of the 94x. We will take these recommendations under advisement,” said Robert J. Bedoya, Director of e-File Services.

The 11-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.

“ETAAC commends the IRS on another successful filing season and recognizes the IRS’s continued efforts to achieve an 80 percent electronic tax return filing beyond individual returns. As the IRS manages the various electronic administrative initiatives, ETAAC recommends the IRS continue its effort on the successful implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” said Cyrus Daftary, ETAAC Chair.

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.

Many parents pay for childcare or day camps in the summer while they work. If this applies to you, your costs may qualify for a federal tax credit that can lower your taxes. Here are 10 facts that you should know about the Child and Dependent Care Credit:

1. Your expenses must be for the care of one or more qualifying persons. Your dependent child or children under age 13 usually qualify. For more about this rule see Publication 503, Child and Dependent Care Expenses.
2. Your expenses for care must be work-related. This means that you must pay for the care so you can work or look for work. This rule also applies to your spouse if you file a joint return. Your spouse meets this rule during any month they are a full-time student. They also meet it if they’re physically or mentally incapable of self-care.
3. You must have earned income, such as from wages, salaries and tips. It also includes net earnings from self-employment. Your spouse must also have earned income if you file jointly. Your spouse is treated as having earned income for any month that they are a full-time student or incapable of self-care. This rule also applies to you if you file a joint return. Refer to Publication 503 for more details.
4. As a rule, if you’re married you must file a joint return to take the credit. But this rule doesn’t apply if you’re legally separated or if you and your spouse live apart.
5. You may qualify for the credit whether you pay for care at home, at a daycare facility or at a day camp.
6. The credit is a percentage of the qualified expenses you pay. It can be as much as 35 percent of your expenses, depending on your income.
7. The total expense that you can use for the credit in a year is limited. The limit is $3,000 for one qualifying person or $6,000 for two or more.
8. Overnight camp or summer school tutoring costs do not qualify. You can’t include the cost of care provided by your spouse or your child who is under age 19 at the end of the year. You also cannot count the cost of care given by a person you can claim as your dependent. Special rules apply if you get dependent care benefits from your employer.
9. Keep all your receipts and records. Make sure to note the name, address and Social Security number or employer identification number of the care provider. You must report this information when you claim the credit on your tax return.
10. Remember that this credit is not just a summer tax benefit. You may be able to claim it for care you pay for throughout the year.

For more on this topic, see Publication 503 on IRS.gov. You can also call 800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) to have it mailed to you.

Additional IRS Resources:

• Tax Topic 602 – Child and Dependent Care Credit
• Frequently Asked Questions – Child Care Credit
• Publication 926, Household Employer’s Tax Guide
• Publication 907, Tax Highlights for Persons With Disabilities