IRS Asks for Guidance Priorities

The Internal Revenue Service has put out a call for a priority list of items it should address with its upcoming guidance.

The IRS and the Treasury Department invited public comment on recommendations for items to include on their 2008-2009 guidance priority list. Each year, they use the list to identify and prioritize tax issues that should be addressed through regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures, notices and other published administrative guidance. The priority list will establish the guidance they intend to issue from July 1, 2008, through June 30, 2009.

In selecting items for the list, the IRS and the Treasury will consider factors such as whether the recommended guidance resolves significant issues relevant to many taxpayers, promotes sound tax administration, can be drafted in a manner that will enable taxpayers and preparers to easily understand and apply the guidance, whether the IRS can administer the recommended guidance on a uniform basis, and whether the recommended guidance reduces controversy and lessens the burden on taxpayers or the IRS.

Taxpayers and preparers may submit recommendations for guidance at any time during the year, but recommendations received by May 31, 2008, will be considered for inclusion on the original 2008-2009 guidance priority list. The list will be updated periodically to reflect additional guidance that the Treasury and the IRS intend to publish during the plan year, though.

Comments can be sent via e-mail to Notice.Comments@irscounsel.treas.gov. Taxpayers and preparers should include "Notice 2008-47" in the subject line.

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