TAP A05-060

Educating Taxpayer About Publication 17

Statement of Issue:

IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax For Individuals, is not very well known or frequently used by most taxpayers even though it is widely regarded as an encyclopedia of tax information and help. The Ad Hoc committee was asked by the IRS Forms and Publication Division to develop a plan to educate the public about Publication 17.

Proposal:

TAP recommended that public awareness and use of Publication 17 be promoted by creating a logo with a catchy phrase that is easily identifiable and producing and distributing information about Publication 17. Suggested distribution included: place poster in all IRS locations as well as locations where tax materials or information and advice are available, distribute to volunteer groups and training centers, all IRS helplines should reference Publication 17, ask tax preparation software companies to include the short description of Publication 17 in their packages, and work with Internet search sites to configure tax information question responses to show Publication 17 as a resource.

Response Notes: