The Internal Revenue Service announced it will visit more taxpayers who haven't filed tax returns for prior years in an effort to increase tax compliance and further enforce the law. In addition, the IRS is increasing the use of data analytics, research and new compliance strategies, including personal visits, to reach taxpayers and tax return preparers who have not filed federal tax returns.
The goal of these strategies is to bring delinquent taxpayers into compliance with their filing and payment tax obligations and promote future tax compliance.
To further promote voluntary compliance with tax laws, the IRS is also using new ways to leverage existing processes and systems, including:
- Increase the identification and case creation for individual and business non-filers. New cases will be assigned to IRS employees for appropriate resolution.
- Automated Substitute for Return program (ASFR). This affects individual taxpayers who have not filed tax returns, but whose available income information shared with the IRS indicates a significant income tax liability. As part of the ASFR program, the IRS sends notices to these taxpayers alerting them to the potential liability.
- Automated 6020(b) process. Promotes employment tax filing compliance by identifying business taxpayers with employment tax requirements who have not filed for a specific period. Ensuring businesses comply with their employment tax filing and payment requirements is another priority for the IRS.
- Delinquent Return Refund Hold program (DRRH). Systemically holds an individual taxpayer's income tax refund when their account has at least one unfiled tax return within the five years surrounding that return.
In addition, the IRS is also working with key partners to better educate taxpayers and tax professionals on filing requirements.
The IRS reminds taxpayers that many non-filers are actually owed refunds, and they are also encouraged to look into filing their tax returns.The deadline for claiming refunds on 2016 tax returns is April 15, 2020.
This content was originally published by the IRS, E-News for Tax Professionals Issue Number: 2020-10. If you need assistance filing past due income tax returns contact us.