The Taxpayer First Act signed into law by President Trump requires the IRS to make important changes that will benefit taxpayers and improve tax administration.
Low-income taxpayers who owe money to the IRS now have protection from private debt collectors, and certain taxpayers will no longer have to make a payment to submit an offer in compromise to the IRS.
The bill requires the IRS to make changes to customer service, tax enforcement procedures, identification protection, cybersecurity, and use of its electronic systems, as just some of the important changes.
Other improvements include requiring the IRS to establish an IRS Independent Office of Appeals to resolve disputes without litigation, significantly improve customer service strategies, establish requirements for responding to Taxpayer Advocate Directives, establish requirements for cybersecurity and identification protection, and provide notice to taxpayers suspected of identity theft.
Additionally, the law requires the IRS to establish a Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Matching Grant Program, make changes to procedures for whistleblowers, and prohibit rehiring of certain IRS employees terminated for misconduct.
The law will also increase penalties for failing to file tax returns, so now is the time to come into compliance if past tax returns are due to the IRS. Contact one of our attorneys today to discuss your tax compliance matters.
To read the Taxpayer First Act, click here.
