Latest News

IRS To Accept Tax Returns with Education Credits, Depreciation Next Week
IR-2013-18, Feb. 8, 2013 — The IRS announced that taxpayers will be able to start filing two major tax forms next week covering education credits and depreciation.

IRS Intensifies National Crackdown on Identity Theft; Part of Wider Effort to Protect Taxpayers, Prevent Refund Fraud
IR-2013-17, Feb. 7, 2013 — Continuing a year-long enforcement push against refund fraud and identity theft, the IRS today announced the results of a massive national sweep in recent weeks targeting identity theft suspects in 32 states and Puerto Rico.

Remarks by Steven T. Miller, IRS Acting Commissioner, at a Press Conference Call on Identity Theft Sweep, Washington, D.C., Feb. 7, 2013
Feb. 7, 2013 — Remarks by Steven T. Miller, IRS Acting Commissioner, during a press conference call on the Identity Theft Sweep.

IRS Identity Theft Enforcement Actions
January 2013 — View a map showing the IRS's recent enforcement actions against identity theft and refund fraud.

IRS Extends Tax Relief to Some New Jersey and New York Victims of Hurricane Sandy; Return Filing and Tax Payment Deadline Extended to April 1, 2013
IR-2013-16, Feb. 1, 2013 –– After Hurricane Sandy, the IRS announced additional tax relief to affected individuals and businesses. The IRS is now further extending tax deadlines of that relief until April 1, 2013, for some counties in New Jersey and New York.

Many Business Tax Filers Can Now File for 2012
Many businesses can now file their 2012 returns. Some taxpayers will need to wait until late February or early March.

Do Your Taxes and E-File for Free with Free File
IR-2013-15, Feb. 1, 2013 — All taxpayers have an option to Free File, a fast, safe and free way to prepare their own federal taxes.

IRS Kicks Off 2013 Tax Season
IR-2013-14, Jan. 30, 2013 — The IRS opened the 2013 filing season by announcing a variety of enhanced products and services to help taxpayers prepare and file their returns by the April 15 deadline.

IRS Adds Tumblr to Its List of Social Media Platforms
IR-2013-13, Jan. 29, 2013 — The IRS has added Tumblr to its list of social media platforms, giving taxpayers another way of accessing helpful IRS tax tips, videos, podcasts and more.

IRS Announces New Advisory Council Members
IR-2013-12, Jan. 28, 2013 — The IRS announced the selection of six new members to the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC).

IRS Announces Eight New Members for Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee
IR-2013-11, Jan. 28, 2013 — The IRS announced the selection of eight new members for IRPAC.

IRS To Accept Returns Claiming Education Credits by Mid-February
IR-2013-10, Jan. 28, 2013 — The IRS announced that the processing of tax returns claiming education credits will begin by the middle of February.

Tips for Taxpayers, Victims about Identity Theft and Tax Returns
FS-2013-3, January 2013 — The IRS is taking additional steps during the 2013 tax season to protect taxpayers and help victims of identity theft and refund fraud.

IRS Combats Identity Theft and Refund Fraud on Many Fronts
FS-2013-2, January 2013 — Stopping identity theft and refund fraud is a top priority for the IRS. For the 2013 filing season, the IRS has expanded efforts to better protect taxpayers and help victims.

On EITC Awareness Day, IRS and Partners Alert Low- and Moderate-Income Workers of Significant Tax Benefit
IR-2013-9, Jan. 25, 2013— The IRS and partners nationwide launched the Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day outreach campaign aimed at helping millions take advantage of the EITC.

IRS Announces Guidance on the Principal Reduction Alternative Offered in the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP)
IR-2013-8, Jan. 24, 2013 — Guidance to borrowers, mortgage loan holders and loan servicers participating in the Principal Reduction Alternative offered through Treasury's and HUD's Home Affordable Modification Program® (HAMP-PRA®) is available.

IRS Provides Penalty Relief to Farmers and Fishermen
IR-2013-7, Jan. 18, 2013 — The IRS will issue guidance soon to provide relief from the estimated tax penalty for farmers and fishermen unable to file and pay their 2012 taxes by the March 1 deadline due to the delayed start for filing tax returns. 

Tax-Free Transfers to Charity Renewed For IRA Owners 70½ or Older; Rollovers This Month Can Still Count For 2012
IR-2013-6, Jan. 16, 2013 — Certain owners of IRAs have a limited time to make tax-free transfers to eligible charities and have them count for tax-year 2012.

IRS Announces Simplified Option for Claiming Home Office Deduction Starting This Year; Eligible Home-Based Businesses May Deduct up to $1,500; Saves Taxpayers 1.6 Million Hours A Year
IR-2013-5, Jan. 15, 2013 — There's a simplified option that many owners of home-based businesses and some home-based workers may use to figure their deductions for the business use of their homes.

Fiscal Year 2012 Enforcement and Service Results
The Fiscal Year 2012 Enforcement and Service Results provide the dollars collected from the examination (audit) and collection functions of the IRS. The results also tally various taxpayer assistance program results.

Annual Inflation Adjustments for 2013
IR-2013-4, Jan. 11, 2013 — IRS provides inflation adjustments and other tax changes for tax year 2013.

National Taxpayer Advocate Delivers Annual Report to Congress; Focuses on Tax Reform, IRS Funding and Identity Theft
IR-2013-3, Jan. 9, 2013 — National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson today released her 2012 annual report to Congress, identifying the need for tax reform as the overriding priority in tax administration.

IRS Plans Jan. 30 Tax Season Opening For 1040 Filers
IR-2013-2, Jan. 8, 2013 — Following the January tax law changes made by Congress under the American Taxpayer Relief Act, the IRS announced today it plans to open the 2013 filing season and begin processing individual income tax returns on Jan. 30.

IRS Provides Updated Withholding Guidance for 2013
IR-2013-1, Jan. 3, 2013 — The IRS released updated income-tax withholding tables for 2013 reflecting this week’s changes by Congress.

General FAQs on Payment Card and Third Party Network Transactions
The IRS is providing special transitional relief to banks and other payment settlement entities required to begin reporting payment card and third-party network transactions on new Form 1099-K.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: Information Center
Update on the new economic stimulus legislation.

The “What Ifs” for Struggling Taxpayers
Here are some “What if” scenarios and the possible tax impact.

Tax Benefits for Education: Information Center
Many tax breaks are available to help with the cost of higher education.

Commissioner's Comments, Statements and Remarks
IRS Commissioner discusses a range of tax administration issues.

Compliance & Enforcement News
A collection of recent news releases, statements and other items related to IRS compliance and enforcement efforts.

2012 and Prior Year Filing Season Statistics
Find tax filing season statistics showing cumulative and comparative totals from the current filing season and from prior years.