IRS

Who’s Afraid of the IRS? Not Facebook.

The social media behemoth is about to face off with the tax agency in a rare trial to capture billions that the IRS thinks Facebook owes. But onerous budget cuts have hamstrung the agency’s ability to bring the case.

Paul Kiel
3 hours ago

Who’s Afraid of the IRS? Not Facebook.

The social media behemoth is about to face off with the tax agency in a rare trial to capture billions that the IRS thinks Facebook owes. But onerous budget cuts have hamstrung the agency’s ability to bring the case.

Paul Kiel
3 hours ago

The IRS Decided to Get Tough Against Microsoft. Microsoft Got Tougher.

For years, the company has moved billions in profits to Puerto Rico to avoid taxes. When the IRS pushed it to pay, Microsoft protested that the agency wasn’t being nice. Then it aggressively fought back in court, lobbied Congress and changed the law.

Paul Kiel, ProPublica
January 22, 2020

IRS Reforms Free File Program, Drops Agreement Not to Compete With TurboTax

The changes come after ProPublica’s reporting showed how TurboTax maker Intuit tricked customers into paying for tax prep they could have gotten for free.

Justin Elliott and Paul Kiel, ProPublica
January 2, 2020

The IRS Tried to Hide Emails That Show Tax Industry Influence Over Free File Program

After ProPublica sued the IRS, the agency released emails that show it has allowed the tax preparation industry to write the rules.

Justin Elliott and Paul Kiel, ProPublica
October 29, 2019

Report: IRS Should Have an Official In Charge of Customer Experience

The agency could also improve its website and share more feedback, analysts conclude in first-of-its-kind report.

Courtney Bublé
October 8, 2019

Shutdown’s Damage to IRS Morale and Customer Service Will Linger, Study Finds

The appropriations lapse occurred during filing season, the agency’s busiest time of year, and will affect next year’s filing season as well.

Courtney Bublé
October 4, 2019

Thousands of IRS Employees Are Working Outside Jobs That Risk Conflicts of Interest

In 2016, 167 employees had potentially prohibited second jobs and 2,196 were at high-risk for conflict of interest.

Courtney Bublé
October 1, 2019

Hundreds of Thousands of Delinquent Taxpayers Could Have Their Passports Revoked

The IRS is cracking down on tax scofflaws, but some experts worry the agency is bypassing due process.

Courtney Bublé
August 29, 2019

Shutdown Had Deep Financial and Mental Health Impact on IRS Workers, Study Finds

Researchers are examining the impact of the 35-day shutdown on a Utah community with a high concentration of federal employees.

Courtney Bublé
July 30, 2019

IRS Staffs Up As a Result of Disputed Private Debt Collection Program

With revenue projected to double, 200 specialized workers will be hired.

Charles S. Clark
July 11, 2019

Taxpayer Advocate Details Shutdown's Impact in Her Final Report

Retiring Nina Olson cites harm to customer service as well as staff training.

Charles S. Clark
June 21, 2019

IRS Advisory Panel Pushes Anti-Fraud Tools, Praises Staff Handling of Shutdown

Specialists recommend boosting private-sector partnership to thwart identity theft.

Charles S. Clark
June 20, 2019

House Passes Revamped Bipartisan IRS Reform Bill

The Taxpayer First Act would redesign the agency and boost identity theft protection.

Charles S. Clark
June 10, 2019

Featured eBooks

Congress Scraps Provision to Restrict IRS From Competing With TurboTax

The change comes after ProPublica highlighted the deceptive marketing practices of Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, and other major tax prep companies.

Justin Elliott, ProPublica
June 5, 2019

The IRS Now Audits Poor Americans at About the Same Rate as the Top 1%

As the agency’s ability to audit the rich crumbles, its scrutiny of the poor has held steady in recent years. Meanwhile, a new study shows that audits of poor taxpayers make them far less likely to claim credits they might be entitled to.

Paul Kiel, ProPublica
May 30, 2019

TurboTax Uses a 'Military Discount" to Trick Troops Into Paying to File Their Taxes

Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, created and promoted a “military discount” that charges service members who are eligible to file for free.

Justin Elliott and Kengo Tsutsumi, ProPublica
May 23, 2019

Agencies Agree to Do More to Identify Contractors With Tax Debts

GAO tells contracting officers to keep a closer eye, and IRS and GSA agree.

Charles S. Clark
May 17, 2019

IRS Is Advised to Get Its Financial House in Order

GAO updates its long-standing critique of internal auditing deficiencies.

Charles S. Clark
May 13, 2019

Senior IRS Leaders Launch Review of Agency’s Partnership With TurboTax and H&R Block

Both the IRS and its inspector general are investigating the partnership with the tax software industry in response to ProPublica’s reporting.

Justin Elliott, ProPublica
May 7, 2019

IRS Doesn't Fire Its Tax-Delinquent Employees as the Law Requires

Agency managers follow through on the requirement in only 7% of cases.

Eric Katz
April 18, 2019

How the IRS Gave Up Fighting Political Dark Money Groups

Six years after it was excoriated for allegedly targeting conservative organizations, the agency has largely given up on regulating an entire category of nonprofits. The result: More dark money gushes into the political system.

Maya Miller, ProPublica
April 18, 2019

For years, the company has moved billions in profits to Puerto Rico to avoid taxes. When the IRS pushed it to pay, Microsoft protested that the agency wasn’t being nice. Then it aggressively fought back in court, lobbied Congress and changed the law.

The changes come after ProPublica’s reporting showed how TurboTax maker Intuit tricked customers into paying for tax prep they could have gotten for free.

After ProPublica sued the IRS, the agency released emails that show it has allowed the tax preparation industry to write the rules.

The agency could also improve its website and share more feedback, analysts conclude in first-of-its-kind report.

The appropriations lapse occurred during filing season, the agency’s busiest time of year, and will affect next year’s filing season as well.

In 2016, 167 employees had potentially prohibited second jobs and 2,196 were at high-risk for conflict of interest.

The IRS is cracking down on tax scofflaws, but some experts worry the agency is bypassing due process.

Researchers are examining the impact of the 35-day shutdown on a Utah community with a high concentration of federal employees.

With revenue projected to double, 200 specialized workers will be hired.

Retiring Nina Olson cites harm to customer service as well as staff training.

Specialists recommend boosting private-sector partnership to thwart identity theft.

The Taxpayer First Act would redesign the agency and boost identity theft protection.

The change comes after ProPublica highlighted the deceptive marketing practices of Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, and other major tax prep companies.

As the agency’s ability to audit the rich crumbles, its scrutiny of the poor has held steady in recent years. Meanwhile, a new study shows that audits of poor taxpayers make them far less likely to claim credits they might be entitled to.

Intuit, the maker of TurboTax, created and promoted a “military discount” that charges service members who are eligible to file for free.

GAO tells contracting officers to keep a closer eye, and IRS and GSA agree.

GAO updates its long-standing critique of internal auditing deficiencies.

Both the IRS and its inspector general are investigating the partnership with the tax software industry in response to ProPublica’s reporting.

Agency managers follow through on the requirement in only 7% of cases.

Six years after it was excoriated for allegedly targeting conservative organizations, the agency has largely given up on regulating an entire category of nonprofits. The result: More dark money gushes into the political system.

Thank you!