IR-2009-62, June 24, 2009 WASHINGTON — The Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee (ETAAC) presented its 2009 Annual Report to Congress. The ETAAC provides feedback on the development and implementation of the Internal Revenue Service’s electronic tax administration strategy. The report includes 10 recommendations to advance the use of electronic filing. For example, the report recommends the IRS require all tax preparers who file at least 200 returns a year to use e-file. The report also calls for continued modernization of IRS systems as well as collaboration between the IRS and industry regarding software standards. “ETAAC plays a significant role in IRS efforts to improve the taxpayer’s experience via e-file and the Internet,” said David Williams, director of Electronic Tax Administration. “ETAAC feedback helps the IRS shift more returns from paper to e-file, which is a top priority.” The 14-member panel provides an organized public forum for discussion of electronic tax administration issues and the overriding goal that paperless filing should be the preferred and most-convenient method of filing tax and information returns. "The IRS is making great progress on its strategic planning efforts toward reaching not only the 80 percent e-file goal established by Congress but also toward providing the next generation of electronic services for taxpayers, tax preparers and other stakeholders," said Chris Beach, ETAAC Chairman. "ETAAC looks forward to working with the IRS on helping to advance these important electronic tax administration opportunities." ETAAC submits an annual progress report to Congress each June. The IRS Electronic Tax Administration created the ETAAC in 1998 as required by the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998. The report is the result of research and analysis as well as meetings with senior IRS executives. Public comments on the report will be solicited via the Federal Register in the fall. The full report is available on this web site. Subscribe to IRS Newswire
