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Taxpayer
Advocacy Panel
SPEAK UP• Improve IRS• We Listen
By Andrea Price, Taxpayer Advocacy Panel Member Representing
Ohio
The Truth Contributor
The Taxpayer Advocacy Panel (TAP) is supported by and
aligned with the IRS but is not part of the IRS and are not
employees of the IRS. TAP is comprised of civic-minded
citizen volunteers from all walks of life
representing each state, D.C., Puerto Rico and an
international member (citizens living, working or doing
business abroad).
TAP’s mission is to listen to taxpayers, identify taxpayers’
issues and make suggestions for improving the IRS service
and customer satisfaction.
This month, I would like to highlight: 1) a few
recommendations adopted by the IRS from taxpayers to include
CPAs/tax practitioners and tax attorneys, and 2) IRS
Taxpayer Tip.
The IRS has agreed to adopt the following suggestions
submitted by taxpayers:
1.
Informational Returns Toll-Free Filing
Information Returns Electronically (FIRE) Line. Suggestion:
Reorder the position in the phone script of the
announcements 57439,56354,58053and 58054 to appear at the
beginning of the phone script. IRS action: Changed
the order of the messages played on the FIRE telephone line.
Will first play the welcome message, and then play the
modified 56354 as follows; If you are calling about the
status of your refund, press 1. If you are calling about
CP2100/2100A or Notice 972CG press 2. For all others, press
3. To hear these options again press 9.
2.
Letter 63C. Suggestion: Under
What You need to Do, add the option of “Your
information is correct; however, our records indicate you
didn’t reach the minimum income reporting level required for
the issuance of a Form W-2”.
IRS action: agreed to update
the letter.
3.
1099- MISC & Instructions.
Suggestion: Change Text to include property managers
as not all property managers are real estate agents. Clarify
the wording to provide definitive reporting status. IRS
action: Change to read: “Payments of rent to real estate
agents or property managers. However, the real estate agent
or property manager must…” Change to read: “However, if the
value of a pass provided in a month is greater than $21, the
full value is part of the gross income and must be reported
on Form 1099-MISC.
4.
1040 Sch. A & B. Suggestion:
Replace eligible person with: “You may deduct up to $50 per
night each for the patient and a person traveling with the
person receiving treatment. IRS action: Modify the
last sentence of the bullet to read: “Don’t deduct more than
$50 a night for each person who meets the requirements in
Pub. 502 under Lodging.”
5.
Pub. 560-Deduction Worksheet for
Self-Employed.
Suggestion: Add “Elective Deferral” definition to the
Definitions You Need to Know list. IRS action:
the following definition has been added: Elective Deferrals.
An elective deferral is the contribution made by employees
to a qualified retirement plan. Non-owner employees: The
employee salary reduction/elective deferral contributions
must be elected/made by the end of the tax year and
deposited into the employee’s plan account within seven days
(safe harbor) and not later than 15 days. Owner/employees:
The employee deferrals must be elected by the end of the tax
year and then can be made by the tax return filing deadline,
including extensions.
IRS Tax Tip- Do a Paycheck Check-Up at least once a year
It’s important to check your federal income tax withholding
now to avoid an unexpected tax bill or penalty with next
year’s return. The IRS Withholding Calculator can help.
Everyone should check their withholding. Due to tax law
changes,
it’s especially important to check now if you:
• Are a two-income family
• Have two or more jobs at the same time
• Work a seasonal job or only work part of the year
• Claim the child tax credit
• Have dependents age 17 or older
• Previously itemized your deductions
• Have high income or a complex tax return
• Had a large tax refund or tax bill the last time you filed
Use the IRS Withholding Calculator to do a Paycheck Checkup
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The IRS Withholding Calculator helps figure out if you
should submit a new Form W-4 to your employer or make
estimated tax payments to the IRS before the end of the
year.
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Have your most recent pay stub and federal tax return on
hand.
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The calculator’s results are only as accurate as the
information you enter.
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Find the IRS calculator at IRS.gov/withholding.
Everyone has something to say about taxes and the IRS.
Please take a moment to give us your suggestions for TAP to
consider by contacting one of the following:
TAP Ohio member:
tapohioandreaprice@gmail.com
Toll-free at:1-888-912-1227
Website:
www.improveirs.org
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