RECOMMENDATION 2380
RECOMMENDATION TEXT:
Block with a title of “Expires”. Located top of document underneath the Title of the Document which is ‘Installment Agreement Accepted: Terms Explained” Remove the block and the text. This is of little importance to the Taxpayer to know this. The Letter is extensive, and this is extraneous information and not needed by the taxpayer. Is this the expiration date of the Installment Agreement?
IRS Action: Not adopted
As mentioned in the response provided for Referral #53484, the sample of the letter reviewed doesn’t appear to be the version that is actually issued to our taxpayers. For this reason, to help ease the review process & assist the TAP Committee in providing feedback &/or recommendations based on tangible evidence, we recommend that the TAP Committee partner with the appropriate stakeholders to obtain redacted versions of the actual letters received by taxpayers. In doing so, the TAP Committee may gain greater insight & a different perspective with regards to the notices & letters received by our taxpayers which may result in a more in-depth analysis & plausible solutions.
RECOMMENDATION 2381
RECOMMENDATION TEXT:
Block with a title of “Number of Copies Original”. Located top of document underneath the Title of the Document which is ‘Installment Agreement Accepted: Terms Explained” Remove the block and the text. This is of little importance to the Taxpayer to know this. The Letter is extensive, and this is extraneous information and not needed
IRS Action: Not adopted
As mentioned in the response provided for Referral #53484, the sample of the letter reviewed doesn’t appear to be the version that is actually issued to our taxpayers. For this reason, to help ease the review process & assist the TAP Committee in providing feedback &/or recommendations based on tangible evidence, we recommend that the TAP Committee partner with the appropriate stakeholders to obtain redacted versions of the actual letters received by taxpayers. In doing so, the TAP Committee may gain greater insight & a different perspective with regards to the notices & letters received by our taxpayers which may result in a more in-depth analysis & plausible solutions.
RECOMMENDATION 2382
RECOMMENDATION TEXT:
Block with a title of “Former Letter 2273C (rev. 02-20”. Located top of document underneath the Title of the Document which is ‘Installment Agreement Accepted: Terms Explained” Remove the block and the text. This is of little importance to the Taxpayer to know this. The Letter is extensive, and this is extraneous information and not needed by the taxpayer. This is the same Letter Number as the one being sent in the Form Number Block Duplication of information not needed
IRS Action: Not adopted
As mentioned in the response provided for Referral #53484, the sample of the letter reviewed doesn’t appear to be the version that is actually issued to our taxpayers. For this reason, to help ease the review process & assist the TAP Committee in providing feedback &/or recommendations based on tangible evidence, we recommend that the TAP Committee partner with the appropriate stakeholders to obtain redacted versions of the actual letters received by taxpayers. In doing so, the TAP Committee may gain greater insight & a different perspective with regards to the notices & letters received by our taxpayers which may result in a more in-depth analysis & plausible solutions.
RECOMMENDATION 2383
RECOMMENDATION TEXT:
Block with a title of “Distribution to: 1 to T/P”. Located top of document underneath the Title of the Document which is ‘Installment Agreement Accepted: Terms Explained” Remove the block and the text. This is of little importance to the Taxpayer to know this. The Letter is extensive, and this is extraneous information and not needed by the taxpayer.
IRS Action: Not adopted
As mentioned in the response provided for Referral #53484, the sample of the letter reviewed doesn’t appear to be the version that is actually issued to our taxpayers. For this reason, to help ease the review process & assist the TAP Committee in providing feedback &/or recommendations based on tangible evidence, we recommend that the TAP Committee partner with the appropriate stakeholders to obtain redacted versions of the actual letters received by taxpayers. In doing so, the TAP Committee may gain greater insight & a different perspective with regards to the notices & letters received by our taxpayers which may result in a more in-depth analysis & plausible solutions.
RECOMMENDATION 2384
RECOMMENDATION TEXT:
Block with a title of “IMF / BMF” Located top of document underneath the Title of the Document which is ‘Installment Agreement Accepted: Terms Explained’ Use plain language to distinguish if the installment is for the TP’s “Individual or Business” taxes. Taxpayers may not know what BMF and IMF stand for.
IRS Action: Not adopted
As mentioned in the response provided for Referral #53484, the sample of the letter reviewed doesn’t appear to be the version that is actually issued to our taxpayers. For this reason, to help ease the review process & assist the TAP Committee in providing feedback &/or recommendations based on tangible evidence, we recommend that the TAP Committee partner with the appropriate stakeholders to obtain redacted versions of the actual letters received by taxpayers. In doing so, the TAP Committee may gain greater insight & a different perspective with regards to the notices & letters received by our taxpayers which may result in a more in-depth analysis & plausible solutions.
RECOMMENDATION 2385
RECOMMENDATION TEXT:
Change the format to look more like the revised CP2000 letter. The Revised 2000 is divided in more comprehensible sections.
IRS Action: Not adopted
As mentioned in the response provided for Referral #53484, the agency has mapped out its strategic approach to addressing concerns pertaining to taxpayer notices & letters. With attention to this, through comprehensive research & data analytics along with exploring technological solutions, the agency is currently working on several comprehensive initiatives focused on redesigning & simplifying all taxpayer correspondence products to provide all taxpayers with a more enhanced & personalized experience. For more information, please refer to the IRS’ Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Strategic Operating Plan FY2023 – 2031.
RECOMMENDATION 2386
RECOMMENDATION TEXT:
Add the following section: TAXPAYER’S ONLINE ACCOUNT – Each taxpayer has the ability to create and access their individual taxpayer account to view updated individual account information including account balances by year; payment options and activity; tax records and transcripts; notices and letters; and third-party authorizations. Please go to irs.gov and select “Sign in to your Online Account” to get started. Our committee is receiving multiple requests and/or comments regarding taxpayer confusion and difficulty in receiving and understanding IRS Notices and Correspondence. Our committee firmly believes that adding this notification to every notice and taxpayer correspondence could alleviate the 1-800 phone line burden. The Notices and Correspondence Committee believes that if the taxpayer knew they could create an on-line account, much of this confusion could be alleviated. Most taxpayers are trying to obtain or confirm individual account information on the main IRS page. OR taxpayers never visit the IRS main page to realize that taxpayers have the ability to create and view taxpayer’s individual on-line account information. Therefore, we respectfully request that this text be included at the top of ALL IRS correspondence.
IRS Action: Not adopted
As specified in the response provided for Referral #53484 for LTR 3030C, the agency understands the concerns raised & the importance of keeping our taxpayers informed of their rights. It’s important to note that CRX letters are generally issued as a direct result of a taxpayer-initiated action &/or inquiry related to a specific tax issue. Notices are usually generated as a direct result of a taxpayer issue in need of clarification &/or resolution that has been identified by the agency. In addition, regarding notices, taxpayers can visit the landing page of the notice they received via irs.gov to gain understanding & clarity – this information is outlined on the notice itself. IRS Request: With that in mind & to gain further insight from a different perspective, we would be very interested in knowing the specific comments/requests the Notices & Correspondence committee has received or are currently receiving with regards to taxpayer correspondence. Having this information will assist the agency in its strategic approach to enhancing taxpayers’ experience & correspondence products. Regarding adding/shifting online self-service options to the top of the letter, all CRX letters are formatted in such a way to prioritize the main tax issue &/or inquiry as conveyed by the taxpayer up front. The purpose of the 2273C letter is to provide taxpayers with a confirmation of the accepted installment agreement, outline the terms, user fee information, & any other applicable conditions that may apply. Employees will select the most appropriate paragraph(s) based on the taxpayer’s (main) issue & payment & other self-service options are subsequently provided. With this intention, taxpayers are informed, their issues are addressed, & taxpayers are educated on/provided with the resources & various payment options available to access their account & satisfy their tax liability. Lastly & as mentioned on Referral #53484, the agency has mapped out its strategic approach to addressing concerns pertaining to taxpayer notices & letters. With attention to this, through comprehensive research & data analytics along with exploring technological solutions, the agency is currently working on several comprehensive initiatives focused on redesigning & simplifying all taxpayer correspondence products to provide all taxpayers with a more enhanced & personalized experience. For more information, please refer to the IRS’ Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Strategic Operating Plan FY2023 – 2031.
