The IRS reminds the estimated 19 million taxpayers who requested an extension to file their 2021 tax return that they don’t have to wait until mid-October to do so. If a taxpayer has all the necessary information to file an accurate return, they can file electronically at any time before the October deadline and avoid a last-minute rush to file.

In addition to avoiding the rush, the IRS has tips on:

Filing electronically
Getting help filing – including Volunteer Income Tax Assistance
Payment options
Quickly getting answers to tax questions

2. Business data theft scams; How to know it’s really the IRS

Beware of evolving email and cloud-based schemes to steal data

As part of a special Security Summit series, the IRS, state tax agencies and the nation’s tax industry warn tax professionals to beware of evolving scams designed to steal client data.

Learn about:

Multi-factor authentication
Phishing SMS/texts, "smishing"
Recent types of identity theft emails
Traits scams usually have in common

Is it really the IRS reaching out?

With continuing phone and in-person scams taking place across the country, the IRS wants to help taxpayers understand:

How and why agency representatives may contact taxpayers
What the IRS will not do when making contact

3. Erroneous or incorrect balance due notices (CP-14)

The IRS is aware that some payments made for 2021 tax returns have not been correctly applied to joint taxpayer accounts, and these taxpayers are receiving erroneous balance due notices (CP-14 notices) or notices showing the incorrect amount.

No immediate action or phone call is needed. Learn more about who is affected.

4. New IRS Strategic Plan: Goal to help taxpayers

The IRS released a new five-year Strategic Plan that outlines its goals to improve taxpayer service and tax administration.

Learn more about how the IRS plans to focus on:

Enforcement – Enforcing the tax laws fairly and efficiently to increase voluntary compliance and narrow the tax gap
People – Fostering an inclusive, diverse and well-equipped workforce and strengthen relationships with external partners
Service – Providing quality and accessible services to enhance taxpayers’ experiences
Transformation – Transforming the IRS’s operations to become more resilient, agile and responsive

5. IRS operations updates

The operations page features and the latest information on:

Answering mail from taxpayers
Live phone support
Processing tax returns filed on paper
Reviewing tax returns, even for returns filed electronically

6. A Closer Look – Modernizing; whistleblowers

Check out the two latest columns on key IRS issues in A Closer Look.

Modernizing tax processing systems

The latest column features Nancy Sieger, IRS Chief Information Officer, discussing how the IRS is modernizing tax processing systems and the Customer Account Data Engine 2 (CADE 2) program.

“Ten years ago, the IRS began the highly complex effort of modernizing the engine of the nation’s core tax processing system with current technology,” writes Sieger. “We have a state-of-the-art infrastructure operating two world-class data centers and one of the largest call center operations in the world.”

IRS Whistleblower Office

This recent column features John Hinman, Director of the IRS Whistleblower Office, discussing how his team, working closely with other areas within the IRS, enhances tax enforcement through the valuable contributions of whistleblowers.

“I’m proud of the work the Whistleblower Office has done and will continue to do, and it’s clear to see the program is working,” said Hinman. “Whistleblower information that the IRS can act on is an important component of effective tax administration and contributes to identifying noncompliance and reducing the tax gap.”

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