IRS Mulls Realignment of Compliance Units

The Internal Revenue Service said it is looking at a plan to realign compliance operations inside its two largest business units, Wage and Investment (W&I) and Small-Business Self Employed (SB/SE).

The agency’s examination and collection activities for individuals and small businesses currently overlap between the W&I and SB/SE units. The concept that IRS officials are now reviewing would realign the agency’s compliance-related operations to avoid organizational duplications, find operational efficiencies and more quickly identify emerging compliance risks.

“For taxpayers and tax professionals, the goal is improved customer service and easier contact for handling their issues,” said the IRS. “In an effort to get the best plan possible, the IRS also has engaged its front-line employees and managers to help refine the plan.”

Under the concept now under consideration, pre-filing tax compliance programs would move to the W&I unit, while post-filing compliance programs for individuals and small businesses would move to the SB/SE unit. Two new functions would be created in SB/SE, one focused on collection work and the other on examination work. The identity theft victims’ assistance work now being performed in both the W&I and SB/SE units would be centralized in the W&I unit. The SB/SE and W&I compliance headquarters and support staff generally would align to consolidated support functions.

“While the realignment would change some organizational lines, no employee jobs will be lost as a result of this effort,” said the IRS. “More information will be available on IRS.gov as the plan develops.”

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