Thanks to Frank Byrt at The Street, we learned that the IRS announced the release of their “2012 Internal Revenue Service Data Book [1],” This annual report provides an overview of agency activities, including information and statistical tables dating from October 1, 2011, to September 30, 2012. The report provides helpful data and information on the following: returns filed, taxes collected, enforcement actions, taxpayer assistance, IRS budget and workforce, and
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Reminder: 18 days left until Tax Day!
Here’s a review of the tax relief news covered this week. Featured topics include: IRS releases 2013 Dirty Dozen Tax Scam/Scheme List, businessmen guilty of tax evasion and filing false returns, IRS apologies for expensive Star Trek training video and hiring a tax professional versus tax preparation software.
IRS Releases 2013 Dirty Dozen Tax Scam-Scheme List – as well as a video to remind taxpayers
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The IRS just released its Dirty Dozen Tax Scam List for 2013 and introduced a video to remind taxpayers they need to protect themselves from the worst tax scams and schemes out there. While the “usual suspect” scams and schemes have not changed that much from last year, the notification explains how the IRS has stepped up their efforts to handle them, specifically identity theft related tax issues. Below the
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For some reason the IRS did not release an updated “Dirty Dozen Tax Scam List” for 2013. This annual list of tax scams and “phishing” expeditions warns taxpayers about scams that range from tax identity theft to tax evasion. As tax day draws near, scams and schemes tend to peak as people get their tax returns ready for the April 15th deadline. I updated information from the Tax Resolution University
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With tropical storm intensity, Florida is currently leading the nation in tax identity fraud cases. A previous Tax Matters blog post cited a recent CNBC article titled “Florida Hit by ‘Tsunami’ of Tax Identity Fraud” that underscores the severity of this major, nationwide tax problem the IRS has been unable to resolve. According to the CNBC article, however, tax identity fraud is more than just a nuisance. It has now
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The IRS has made getting tax help 24 hours a day/7 days a week on IRS.gov easier than ever before. They have done this by re-designing their website to make it more user-friendly for both consumers and tax professionals. Here are the top ten reasons to visit the IRS.gov website:

Get 24/7 Access — for Free. IRS.gov has tax forms and answers when you need them – day or night. The Interactive
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Last week, the National Taxpayer Advocate, Nina E. Olson, released her 2012 annual report to Congress where she suggested the need for tax reform as the priority number one for the tax administration. Other important tax problems Olson mentions are the following:

How the IRS is not adequately funded to properly serve taxpayers and collect taxes due to chronic underfunding.
How the IRS has not been affective in assisting victims of tax-related
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‘Tis the season for gift giving and with the tax season approaching quickly, the IRS has sent out a “special addition tax tips“ bulletin regarding charitable contributions to help taxpayers understand how their generosity can benefit their taxable income. However, every year thousands of taxpayers overstate these “gifts” and claim charitable deductions significantly higher than their their income level, raising red flags and often triggering an IRS audit. This is not
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In September, I wrote a blog post about how identity theft issues were adversely affecting the financial lives of everyday people we know. I used the case of Robert “Sully” Sullivan, Big Biz Show radio and TV personality and friend of Tax Resolution Services, who had just discovered he was a victim of IRS identity theft and was inquiring what to do next. Since that last meeting, I met with
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Lately, there have been weekly warnings coming from the IRS that caution taxpayers about tax scams or identity theft schemes. Because of their pervasive nature, I feel it’s important to mention each and every one so that taxpayers can stay alert and avoid becoming victims.

The latest announcement can be found on the IRS’s Problem Alerts Page where the following text is posted:

October 2012
Don’t Fall for Phony IRS Websites
The IRS warns
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Happy Friday! Here’s a look at tax relief news headlines we reported on this week:
Tax Scams and Schemes

Tax scams, tax schemes and identity theft are plaguing the IRS and taxpayers alike. This week’s tax scam warning advises taxpayers to lookout for an e-mail that appears to come from the IRS focused on confirming the EIN#’s of S and C-Corporations. Do not click on any links instead delete it entirely! Scammers
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Tax scams and identity theft have wreaked havoc on both ordinary citizens and the IRS. As a result, taxpayers are advised to stay alert to prevent tax problems brought on by such scams by not giving out personal information online.  Earlier this month, I wrote a blog post about a Better Business Bureau tax scam warning aimed at electronic filers. While thieves are becoming more adept at making correspondence look
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Last month I wrote a post about the “real life” identity theft case of Big Biz Show radio and TV personality Robert “Sully” Sullivan. Sully came to the Tax Resolution Services offices to tell me he was the victim of identity theft and inquire as to what he should do next. Identity theft negatively affects hundreds of thousands of Americans every year who file their tax returns only to discover
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As mentioned before, identity theft issues concerning the IRS and taxpayers have grown significantly in the last few years, adversely affecting the financial lives of everyday people, often people we know. Identity Theft Case in point: Robert “Sully” Sullivan, Big Biz Show radio and TV personality and friend visited the Tax Resolution Services offices to reveal that he was recently a victim of identity theft and to inquire about what
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Let’s recap recent IRS tax relief stories that made news headlines:
The IRS Offer in Compromise Program can help taxpayers get their financial footing back
Our post this week highlighted the fact that many Americans are struggling to pay their bills much less their tax debt. However, no matter bleak the tax situation, taxpayers need to know they have options beginning with consulting a qualified tax professional. Our tax expert analyzes previous
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