The IRS issued new details this week to help taxpayers who are experiencing financial difficulties due to COVID-19. The IRS is committed to helping taxpayers wherever possible, including offering many options for those struggling to pay their tax bills.

The IRS also published additional details in a new post of “A Closer Look.” This feature will be updated frequently and will include articles from a variety of IRS leaders. The online publication will cover a variety of timely issues of interest to taxpayers and the tax community. It will also provide a detailed look at key issues affecting everything from IRS operations and employees to issues involving taxpayers and tax professionals.

2. November 10 is National EIP Registration Day; Register at IRS.gov for Economic Impact Payment

Employers can help spread the word that November 10 is National EIP Registration Day.

The IRS set November 10 as National EIP Registration Day, to launch a final push to encourage everyone who doesn't normally file a tax return to register to receive an Economic Impact Payment.

National EIP Registration Day will take place just a few days ahead of the extended November 21 registration deadline. This special event will feature support from IRS partner groups inside and outside of the tax community, including those that work with low-income and underserved communities. These groups will help spread the word about the new November 21 deadline and, in some cases, provide special support for people who still need to register for the payments.

3. SB/SE releases 2021 focus guide

The IRS Small Business and Self-Employed business unit released its Fiscal 2021 Focus Guide -- It’s Still the Time -- laying out the compliance and service strategies for the coming year.

This document provides an overview for both internal and external audiences to understand the agency operational priorities for SB/SE’s audit and collection activities, which continue to focus on the health and safety of employees and taxpayers.

This is a newly revised operational update and is the first year of public distribution. In addition to the SB/SE Annual Report, its purpose is to provide transparency to the public and employees on the operational direction and assessment of SBSE responsibilities.

4. Don’t forget the Work Opportunity Tax Credit

There’s a valuable tax credit available to those who hire long-term unemployment recipients and others certified by their state workforce agency if the individual began or begins work for the employer after Dec. 31, 2014 and before Jan. 1, 2021.

The Work Opportunity Tax Credit is a Federal tax credit available to employers for hiring individuals from certain targeted groups who have consistently faced significant barriers to employment.

5. Impact of Presidential Memorandum on Forms W-2 and W-2c

The IRS issued instructions to employers and employees on the issuance of Forms W-2 and W-2c to employees for whom the employee share of Social Security tax is deferred under the Presidential Memorandum (Aug. 8, 2020). In short, the 2020 Form W-2 must reflect only the amount of Social Security tax actually withheld from 2020 wages, and a Form W-2c will need to be issued when the 2020 Social Security tax is withheld in 2021. This follows previous guidance in Notice 2020-65.

6. IRS hiring collection representatives throughout country

The IRS’s Small Business/Self-Employed division wants to fill more than 150 collection representative vacancies throughout the country. The pay scale ranges from GS-5 to GS-8.

Small businesses are encouraged to share the external announcements with interested friends, family or clients that might be interested in applying.

Collection representatives provide a full range of administrative and technical assistance for taxpayers and their representatives. The job announcements list the responsibilities and closing dates:

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