Visits to IRS.gov Up Sharply as Taxpayers Go Online to Get Tax Information IR-2009-31, March 31, 2009 — The number of visitors to IRS.gov is up more than 24 percent compared with last year, and more taxpayers rely on the IRS online resources to get answers to tax questions on the economic recovery legislation and to prepare and file tax returns accurately and timely. Special Tax Break Available for New Car Purchases This Year IR-2009-30, March 30, 2009 — The IRS announced today that taxpayers who buy a new passenger vehicle this year may be entitled to deduct state and local sales and excise taxes paid on the purchase on their 2009 tax returns next year. First $2,400 of Unemployment Benefits Tax Free for 2009 IR-2009-29, March 26, 2009 — All or part of unemployment benefits received in 2009 will be tax free for many unemployed workers, according to the Internal Revenue Service. IRS Seeks Volunteers for Taxpayer Advocacy Panel 2009 IR-2009-28, March 24, 2009 — Volunteers sought to serve on the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel, which collects input from taxpayers and reports on how to improve IRS service. First-Time Homebuyers Have Several Options to Maximize New Tax Credit IR-2009-27, March 18, 2009 — Taxpayers are reminded that they can claim homebuyer credit for 2009 purchases this year or by amending their 2008 tax return. New Law Extends Net Operating Loss Carryback for Small Businesses; IRS To Ensure Refunds Paid Timely IR-2009-26, March 16, 2009 – The IRS announced today that small businesses with deductions exceeding their income in 2008 can use a new net operating loss tax provision to get a refund of taxes paid in up to five prior years. IRS, Partners Mark Super Saturday March 21 to Help Taxpayers IR-2009-25, March 16, 2009 — The Internal Revenue Service and scores of its community partners will open their doors on Saturday, March 21, to help people who need free tax preparation, a question answered or a payment schedule arranged. IRS Eliminates Inserts Related to Business Mailing IR-2009-24, March 13, 2009 — In an effort to improve its communications with taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service will eliminate the nearly dozen inserts that go into a notice informing businesses that they owe additional tax. Filing Tax Returns from Home Computers Up 20 Percent in 2009 IR-2009-23, March 13, 2009 — More taxpayers are e-filing their tax returns this year. Includes filing season statistics for the week ending March 6, 2009. IRS Releases 2008 Data Book IR-2009-22, March 13, 2009 — Fiscal Year 2008 statistics on IRS activities now available. Interest Rates Drop for the Second Quarter of 2009 IR-2009-21, March 13, 2009 — Second quarter interest rates now available. Taxpayers Filing Earlier and Banking Larger Refunds in 2009 IR-2009-20, March 6, 2009 — Individual income tax refunds are averaging more than $200 more than last year. [Release includes filing season statistics for the week ending Feb. 27.] IRS Conducts Extensive Review, Decides Not to Renew Private Debt Collection Contracts IR-2009-19, March 5, 2009 — Work is best done by IRS employees who have more flexibility handling cases. IRS Seeks New Issues for the Industry Issue Resolution Program 2009 IR-2009-18, March 5, 2009 — The IRS is encouraging business taxpayers, associations and other interested parties to submit to the Industry Issue Resolution (IIR) Program tax issues for resolution involving a controversy, a dispute or an unnecessary burden on business taxpayers. IRS Issues Winter 2009 Statistics Of Income Bulletin IR-2009-17, March. 3, 2009 —The IRS released the winter 2009 issue of the Statistics of Income Bulletin, which features information on 138.4 million individual income tax returns filed for tax year 2006. IRS Has $1.3 Billion for People Who Have Not Filed a 2005 Tax Return IR-2009-16, March 3, 2009 — More than 1 million taxpayers who did not file income tax returns for 2005 may be due refunds. News release and fact sheet archive Find previous year news releases and fact sheets from 1997 through last month.