“Tax Design Challenge” Begins Soon IR-2016-53, March 30, 2016 — The IRS today announced the upcoming start of its first Tax Design Challenge crowdsourcing competition to encourage innovative ideas for the taxpayer experience of the future. IRS Releases FY 2015 Data Book IR-2016-52, March 30, 2016 — The Internal Revenue Service today released the 2015 IRS Data Book, a snapshot of agency activities for the fiscal year. Tax Time Guide: Check Refund Status Online With Where’s My Refund? IR-2016-51, March 29, 2016 — The IRS today reminded taxpayers that they can quickly check the status of their tax return and refund through “Where’s My Refund? on IRS.gov. Tax Time Guide: Good Records Key to Claiming Gifts to Charity IR-2016-50, March 28, 2016 ― The IRS today reminded taxpayers planning to claim charitable donations to make sure they have the records they need before filing their 2015 tax returns. The National Taxpayer Advocate Wants to Hear from You Olson to Hold Public Forum on Taxpayer Service Needs in Hendersonville NC on April 4 IR-2016-49, March 28, 2016 — National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson and Rep. Mark Meadows will hold a public forum to discuss what taxpayers want and need from the IRS to comply with their tax obligations. Many Retirees Face April 1 Deadline to Take Required Retirement Plan Distributions 2016 IR-2016-48, March 28, 2016 — The IRS today reminded taxpayers who turned 70½ during 2015 that in most cases they must start receiving required minimum distributions (RMDs) from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and workplace retirement plans by Friday, April 1, 2016. Tax Time Guide: Many Home-Based Businesses Can Use Simplified Method for Claiming Home Office Deduction; Taxpayers May Deduct up to $1,500 a Year IR-2016-47, March 23, 2016 — The IRS today reminded people with home-based businesses filling out their 2015 federal income tax returns that they can choose a simplified method for claiming the deduction for business use of a home. Tax Time Guide: Online Tools Help Taxpayers Choose a Qualified Tax Professional IR-2016-46, March 22, 2016 — The IRS today reminded taxpayers of options available to them on IRS.gov to get information and tips about selecting qualified tax professionals. IRS’s Top 10 Identity Theft Prosecutions: Criminal Investigation Continues Efforts to Halt Refund Fraud IR-2016-45, March 21, 2016 — As part of the continued crackdown on refund fraud and identity theft, the IRS today released the Top 10 Identity Theft Prosecutions for Fiscal Year 2015. Tax Time Guide: Updated Tax Guide Helps People with Their 2015 Taxes IR-2016-44, March 18, 2016 — Taxpayers can get the most out of various tax benefits and get useful tips from IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax. IRS Releases Tax Time Guide: Use IRS.gov Tools for Quicker Answers IR-2016-43, March 17, 2016 — With a month left before the tax deadline, the IRS today encouraged taxpayers working on their 2015 tax returns to take advantage of the numerous online tools and resources available on IRS.gov. Foreign Account Filings Top 1 Million; Taxpayers Need to Know Their Filing Requirements IR-2016-42, March 15, 2016 – Strong and sustained growth of taxpayers complying with foreign financial account reporting reflects improving awareness and compliance of this important part of offshore tax rules, the IIRS said today. Interest Rates for the Second Quarter of 2016 IR-2016-41, March 16, 2016 — The IRS today announced that interest rates have increased for the calendar quarter beginning April 1, 2016. Consumer Alert: Scammers Change Tactics, Once Again IR-2016-40, March 14, 2016 — Aggressive and threatening phone calls by criminals impersonating IRS agents remain a major threat to taxpayers, but now the IRS is receiving new reports of scammers calling under the guise of verifying tax return information over the phone. National Taxpayer Advocate to Hold Public Forum in the Bronx, N.Y., on March 18 on Taxpayer Service Needs and Preferences IR-2016-39, March 11, 2016 — National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson and Rep. Jose Serrano will hold a public forum Friday, March 18, at 3:00 pm in Room C391 at the Hostos Community College in The Bronx, N.Y. IRS Has Refunds Totaling $950 Million for People Who Have Not Filed a 2012 Federal Income Tax Return IR-2016-38, March 10, 2016 — Taxpayers who did not file tax year 2012 tax returns must file by April 18 to claim their refunds. New Members Join the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel IR-2016-37, March 8, 2016 — The IRS today announced it recommended, and the Department of the Treasury has approved, the selection of 32 new members to serve on the nationwide Taxpayer Advocacy Panel. National Taxpayer Advocate to Hold Public Forum in Glen Ellyn, Ill., on March 9 on Taxpayer Service Needs and Preferences IR-2016-36, March 3, 2016 — National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson and Rep. Peter Roskam, Chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, will hold a public forum Wednesday, March 9, at 5:30 p.m. at the Glen Ellyn Civic Center in Glen Ellyn, Ill., to discuss what taxpayers want and need from the IRS to comply with their tax obligations. Free Help Preparing Tax Returns Available Nationwide IR-2016-35, March 2, 2016 –– The IRS reminded taxpayers today that they may be eligible to receive free tax help at more than 12,000 preparation sites available nationwide. IRS Alerts Payroll and HR Professionals to Phishing Scheme Involving W-2s IR-2016-34, March 1, 2016 — The IRS today issued an alert to payroll and human resources professionals to beware of an emerging phishing email scheme that claims to be from company executives and requests personal information on employees. News release and fact sheet archive Find previous year news releases and fact sheets from 1997 through last month.
