The 2004 Filing Season Was Completed Timely and Accurately, but
Some Tax Law Changes Have Not Been Effectively Implemented
December 2004
Reference Number:
2005-40-016
This report has cleared
the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration disclosure review process
and information determined to be restricted from public release has been
redacted from this document.
December
27, 2004
MEMORANDUM FOR
COMMISSIONER, WAGE AND INVESTMENT DIVISION
FROM: for Gordon C. Milbourn III /s/ Michael R.
Phillips
Assistant Inspector General
for Audit (Small Business and Corporate Programs)
SUBJECT: Final Audit Report - The 2004 Filing
Season Was Completed Timely and Accurately, but Some Tax Law Changes Have Not
Been Effectively Implemented (Audit # 200440005)
This
report presents the results of our review of the 2004 Filing Season. The overall objective of this review was to
determine whether the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) timely and accurately
processed Tax Year (TY) 2003 individual income tax returns during the 2004
Filing Season. The audit focused on the
implementation of new tax law changes that affected TY 2003 tax returns. In addition, we reviewed the corrective
actions for the conditions identified in our review of the 2003 Filing Season
to determine if they were adequate.
Overall,
the IRS had a successful 2004 Filing Season that was timely completed. Through May 28, 2004, the IRS had processed
over 117 million returns and most of these returns were processed accurately. We determined the IRS correctly implemented
the key tax law changes that affected TY 2003 returns. However, we continue to identify previously
reported tax law changes that have not been effectively implemented and could
result in loss of taxpayer entitlements and erroneous tax reductions. For example, we identified taxpayers that are
continuing to receive erroneous deductions for student loan interest, taxpayers
with potential unclaimed Additional Child Tax Credits (ACTC), and taxpayers
that were allowed questionable “dual benefits” for the tuition and fees
deduction and the Education Credit.
Changes
to the tax law can have a major effect on how the IRS conducts its activities,
how many resources are required, and how much progress can be made on strategic
goals. Certain kinds of changes can have
significant effects on the IRS in terms of the quality and effectiveness of
service and how taxpayers perceive the IRS.
The recommendations included in this report can assist the IRS in
effectively administering tax law changes.
Specifically, we recommended the Commissioner, Wage and Investment (W&I)
Division, ensure computer programs accurately identify and correct errors on
returns; continue to identify taxpayers that appear eligible for, but do not
claim, the ACTC by ensuring a scheduled computer programming change is properly
modified; ensure the IRS’ strategic goal
of enhancing enforcement of the tax law is accomplished by strengthening
controls to identify and prevent erroneous tax reductions during initial tax
return processing; and monitor the W&I Division compliance project to
determine if significant noncompliance, similar to the results of our review,
is found.
Management’s
Response: IRS management appreciates our recognition of
the success of the IRS’ 2004 Filing Season and agrees with three of our four
recommendations. Corrective actions include computer programming
changes to resolve deficiencies we identified and the establishment of a
cross-functional task group to conduct a study to determine if there are
specific legal options that are feasible and cost effective to address
compliance with the restrictions on “dual benefits.”
Management also agrees with
our outcome measures as presented but believes our report implies that 205,196 taxpayers received a “dual benefit” in addition
to the 16,979 single taxpayers we cited as having specifically received a “dual
benefit.” Management’s complete response
to the draft report is included as Appendix VII.
Office
of Audit Comment: We believe our report does
not imply that 205,196 taxpayers also inappropriately received a “dual benefit”
as evidenced by footnote number 29 on page 10 of the report. This footnote states that we could not
readily determine how many taxpayers beyond the 16,979 cited above correctly or
incorrectly claimed both the tuition and fees deduction and the Education
Credit.
In
addition, while the IRS disagreed with Recommendation 4, we believe the IRS’
commitment to establish a cross-functional task group that will focus on the
possibility of addressing errors during initial processing of the returns
satisfies the spirit of this recommendation.
Copies of this
report are also being sent to the IRS managers affected by the report
recommendations. Please contact me at (202)
622-6510 if you have questions or Michael R. Phillips, Assistant Inspector
General for Audit (Wage and Investment Income Programs), at (202) 927-0597.
The 2004 Filing
Season Was Timely Completed, With Most Returns Accurately Processed
Overpaid Advance Child Tax Credit of $21 Million Was Not Recovered During the 2004 Filing Season
Taxpayers Continue to Receive Erroneous Deductions for Student Loan Interest
Planned Management Action Should Ensure Taxpayers Receive the Additional Child Tax Credit
Appendix
I – Detailed Objective, Scope, and Methodology
Appendix
II – Major Contributors to This Report
Appendix
III – Report Distribution List
Appendix IV
– Outcome Measures
Appendix V
– Overview of Tax Law Provisions Examined During the Review
Appendix VI
– Related Previous Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Audit
Reports
Appendix VII
– Management’s Response to the Draft Report
The Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) mission is to provide
·
Improve taxpayer service.
·
Enhance enforcement of the tax law.
Making filing easier and increasing fairness of compliance are included in the objectives of these strategic goals and directly affect the filing season, which in turn affects individual taxpayers. The filing season is always a critical program for the IRS. It is during the filing season that most individuals file their income tax returns and call the IRS if they have questions about specific tax laws or filing procedures.
The IRS estimated that 131.6 million individual income tax returns would be filed during Calendar Year (CY) 2004 and that most of these would be filed during the filing season. One of the challenges the IRS confronts in processing these returns is the correct implementation of new tax law changes.
Changes to the tax law can have a major effect on how the IRS conducts its activities, how many resources are required, and how much progress can be made on strategic goals. Generally, the Congress makes changes to the tax law each year, so some level of change is a normal part of the IRS environment. However, certain kinds of changes can have significant effects on the IRS in terms of the quality and effectiveness of service and how taxpayers perceive the IRS. The IRS must identify the tax law changes; revise the various tax forms, instructions, and publications; and reprogram its computer system to ensure returns are accurately processed.
During the 2004 Filing Season, the IRS processed individual income tax returns in seven Submission Processing sites located throughout the country. Tax returns and related schedules are processed through the IRS’ computer system and recorded on each individual’s tax account at these sites. The IRS’ computer system is made up of a complex series of processing subsystems that are nationally linked and programmed to check the validity and accuracy of the return data provided. If an error is found, taxpayers are sent a notice that requests additional information or explains any change that is made to the amount of the tax due or the refund.
This review was performed in the Wage and Investment
(W&I) Division in
The 2004 Filing Season Was Timely Completed, With Most Returns
Accurately Processed
Overall, the IRS had a successful 2004 Filing Season. Through May 28, 2004, the IRS processed approximately 117 million individual income tax returns (including over 60 million that were processed electronically, an increase of nearly 16 percent over the same time last year). In addition, the IRS reported that Free File and On-Line Filing from home computers volumes increased by 25 percent (3.5 million) and 22 percent (14.4 million), respectively, over last year.
The IRS completed processing of returns on schedule and timely issued refunds within the required 45 days of the April 15, 2004, return due date, despite an unusually large number of errors on returns caused by taxpayers in calculating the advance Child Tax Credit (CTC) payment. This problem was identified early in the filing season on electronically filed returns, and the IRS took several actions to alert the public.
Even with the proactive measures to alert the public, IRS sources indicated that, through May 28, 2004, there were approximately 16.9 million individual income tax returns (1.9 million more than last year) on which an error was found. The largest percentage of errors caused by taxpayers and practitioners was attributed to the advance CTC payment. However, these errors were worked quickly, and the majority of returns did not experience any processing delays. As a result, most of the approximately 117 million individual income tax returns processed through May 28, 2004, were timely and accurately processed.
Implementation of key tax law
changes
The 2004 Filing Season included new and significant tax law
changes created by the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003
(JGTRRA) and the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003. One of these changes reduced the taxes on
dividends and capital gains and is estimated to cause an additional 6 million
taxpayers to file a Capital Gains and Losses (Schedule D) to report their
taxable dividends. Other changes excluded
the gain from the sale of a principal residence for
Our review of the IRS’ implementation of the following key tax law changes for the 2004 Filing Season and tax law changes we previously reported concerns with were correctly implemented:
· Reduction in Taxes on Dividends and Capital Gains.
· Acceleration of Previously Enacted Tax Reductions.
We also reviewed the Military Provisions related to the Sale of Residence and Death Gratuity payments. However, because the volume of tax returns we were able to review was minimal, we were unable to sufficiently determine if tax returns with these payments were receiving expedited processing. We will follow up on this issue in another audit that is currently in process.
While the key tax law changes for the 2004 Filing Season were correctly implemented, we did identify additional tax law changes we previously reported concerns with that have not been effectively implemented and could result in loss of taxpayer entitlements and erroneous tax reductions.
Overpaid Advance
Child Tax Credit of $21 Million Was Not Recovered During the 2004 Filing Season
In accordance with the requirements of the JGTRRA, advance payments of the CTC were issued to qualifying taxpayers during CY 2003. In a prior Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) audit of the advance payments, we identified a computer programming discrepancy that resulted in $39 million of excess credits being issued to taxpayers.
The IRS response to that report stated, “. . . [the] IRS anticipated that the majority of overpayments would be reconciled when these taxpayers filed Tax Year [TY] 2003 returns. As a result, any computation of dollar benefits should only include the period a taxpayer had use of funds paid in error.” While we agreed this would be true in some cases, we indicated that we would perform additional work during the 2004 Filing Season review to quantify the true erroneous overpayment amount.
As of May 31, 2004, 90 percent of the taxpayers from the sample in our original review had filed their TY 2003 returns. We analyzed the return information for those taxpayers and determined that approximately 65 percent of the returns had an actual erroneous overpayment. From this, we estimated an actual erroneous overpayment amount of $21 million was not recovered when these taxpayers filed their TY 2003 returns. This estimate does not include the potential overpayment amounts from the 10 percent of taxpayers that had not filed.
Current tax law does not require taxpayers to repay excess amounts of the advance CTC payment they received on their TY 2003 returns even if they qualify for a lesser CTC amount (or no CTC amount). For example, if a taxpayer received an erroneous advance payment of $400 based on his or her 2002 tax return, the taxpayer would not be required to repay this amount if he or she did not have any qualifying children on the TY 2003 return.
Based on the IRS’ response to our previous report, the IRS has limited means to recover the potential $21 million in erroneous payments; therefore, we are not making an additional recommendation for this issue.
Taxpayers
Continue to Receive Erroneous Deductions for Student Loan Interest
Many tax credits and deductions that individual taxpayers may claim are subject to limitations based upon the taxpayer’s filing status, Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), or Modified AGI. The student loan interest deduction has a phase-out range in which the deduction is reduced and then eliminated or “phased out,” as the Modified AGI increases and then reaches the upper limit.
In prior TIGTA reviews, we determined that the IRS disallowed the deduction when the
upper limit was exceeded; however, the IRS did not have procedures to adjust
the deduction when the Modified AGI fell within the phase-out range. This allowed taxpayers to receive larger
deductions than they were entitled to receive.
During the 2003 Filing Season, we determined that 6,837 taxpayers were
erroneously allowed excess deductions totaling over $5 million, with an
estimated tax effect of $500,000. The
IRS had previously responded that it planned to correct the computer programs
beginning with the 2004 Filing Season.
We
determined during the 2004 Filing Season that procedures are still not accurate
in identifying and adjusting the deduction when the Modified AGI falls within
the phase-out range. Results of an
analysis of returns processed through May 28, 2004, showed that 4,950 taxpayers
were erroneously allowed deductions that exceeded the allowable amount under
the tax law based upon their Modified AGI and filing status. The excess deductions totaled approximately $3.1
million. Assuming all 4,950 taxpayers
received a tax benefit from the student loan interest deduction, the estimated
tax benefit is $310,000.
To provide the IRS with accurate procedures to identify and correct instances in which taxpayers claim student loan interest deductions that exceed the allowable amounts, the Commissioner, W&I Division, should:
1. Ensure existing computer programs are corrected to properly account for the AGI or Modified AGI phase-out ranges and future computer programming requests for the student loan interest deduction accurately consider all applicable aspects of the tax law changes.
Management’s Response: A computer programming change will be implemented in January 2005 that will address the phase-out currently in effect. If new legislation impacts the student loan deduction, programming will be changed to consider the impact of the new law.
Planned Management
Action Should Ensure Taxpayers Receive the Additional Child Tax Credit
We first reported that many taxpayers appeared eligible for, but did not claim, the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) during the 2002 Filing Season. Table 1 shows the number of taxpayers and the amounts potentially unclaimed from the last three filing seasons.
Table 1:
Potential Unclaimed ACTC
|
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Taxpayers
potentially eligible for the ACTC |
|
|
|
|
Potential ACTC dollars not
claimed |
|
|
|
Source: TIGTA
analysis during the three filing seasons.
Our recommendation the first year was for the IRS to reevaluate placing a higher priority on the discretionary computer programming necessary to implement future outreach initiatives based on the related tax laws the initiatives are intended to support. The IRS declined the recommendation but did agree to mail a special notice to taxpayers advising them of their potential eligibility for the ACTC.
In November 2002, the IRS began mailing the special notices to the 644,008 taxpayers identified as potentially eligible for the ACTC. This effort had a positive effect; of the 644,008 taxpayers receiving notices, approximately 499,555 (78 percent) had filed a TY 2002 return through August 1, 2003, with no potentially unclaimed ACTC.
During the 2003 Filing Season, we determined the IRS was continuing its efforts to address this condition. IRS management again requested our assistance in identifying the taxpayers that appeared eligible for, but did not claim, the ACTC on their TY 2002 returns. This information was used to mail these taxpayers information needed to claim the ACTC. In our 2003 Filing Season report, we recommended the IRS continue with its plans to notify the taxpayers and submit a computer programming change. The IRS agreed to this recommendation and, for TY 2003, potentially eligible taxpayers would be identified during returns processing and notified of their potential eligibility after processing.
During this audit, we reviewed the computer programming change to identify these taxpayers and found only taxpayers that appear eligible for the CTC and did not claim it would be identified. Taxpayers that claimed the CTC and appear eligible for the ACTC but did not claim it will not be identified. We notified the IRS of this condition on February 23, 2004.
Management Actions: IRS management responded the programming issue was an oversight and the IRS is in the process of correcting the computer programming change. The new change will be implemented in January 2005. Also, in August 2004, the IRS again requested our assistance to identify these taxpayers and notify them of their potential eligibility on their TY 2003 returns.
To support the IRS in its efforts to continue to identify taxpayers that appear eligible for, but do not claim, the ACTC, the Commissioner, W&I Division, should:
2. Ensure the computer programming change to be implemented in January 2005 is properly modified to include the taxpayers that appear eligible for the ACTC but did not claim it.
Management’s Response: Two computer programming changes will be implemented to resolve this deficiency by identifying taxpayers who appear eligible for the ACTC and to generate a notice to the identified taxpayers advising them that they may be eligible for the ACTC.
The Tuition
and Fees Deduction and the Education Credit Provide Questionable “Dual
Benefits” to Taxpayers
The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of
2001 (EGTRRA) created a new above-the-line deduction for tuition and fees,
effective for the 2003 Filing Season.
Taxpayers within certain income ranges are allowed to deduct up to
$3,000 for qualified tuition and fees paid for themselves, their spouse, or
their dependents. However, the EGTRRA
does not allow taxpayers to receive a “dual benefit” by taking both the tuition
and fees deduction and the Education Credit for the same student in the same tax
year.
Taxpayers claiming the Education Credit are required to
complete Education Credits (Hope and Lifetime Learning Credits) (Form 8863) and
identify the student, by name and Social Security Number (SSN), for whom the
credit is being claimed. Taxpayers claiming
the tuition and fees deduction, however, are not required to provide additional
information, other than what is already on the return, to identify the student
for whom the deduction is being claimed.
Thus, the IRS is unable to compare, manually or electronically,
individual identifying information for the tuition and fees deduction with the
individual identifying information captured on Form 8863 for the Education Credit
and prevent taxpayers from claiming a “dual benefit” for the same student.
In our 2003 Filing Season review, we reported taxpayers
were claiming both the tuition and fees deduction and the Education Credit. The IRS’ official response to this report included
adding a cautionary statement to the Form 8863 to specifically alert taxpayers
not to claim both the tuition and fees deduction and the Education Credit for
the same student in the same year. However,
in our current review, we have identified these questionable “dual benefits” as
a recurring condition requiring further IRS attention.
Although we have concluded that adding the cautionary
statement appears to have contributed to a reduction in the number of taxpayers
claiming a “dual benefit,” a large number of taxpayers remain potentially noncompliant.
Our audit analysis through May 28, 2004,
showed 222,175 taxpayers were allowed both the tuition and fees deduction and
the Education Credit, as compared to the 294,743 taxpayers identified in 2003.
In 2004, these 222,175 taxpayers were allowed approximately
$469 million in tuition and fees deductions and $208 million in Education Credits. Within this population, 16,979 were single
taxpayers with no dependents that were erroneously allowed approximately $30
million in tuition and fees deductions and over $11 million in Education Credits. Assuming all 16,979 taxpayers received a tax
benefit from the tuition and fees deduction, the estimated tax benefit is $3
million. The remaining 205,196 taxpayers
were allowed approximately $439 million in tuition and fees deductions and over
$196 million in Education Credits.
Existing tax law requires that the taxpayer include the
name and taxpayer identification number of the individual for whom the tuition
and fees deduction is being claimed on the tax return for the taxable year. The IRS has taken the position that, since the
deduction is limited to expenses paid during the year for the taxpayer, his or
her spouse, or a dependent, this information is already provided on the top
half of the tax return and the legal requirement has been satisfied. The IRS contends that requiring additional
information from the taxpayer regarding the tuition and fees deduction would
unnecessarily increase taxpayer burden. However,
based on the recurring condition of “dual benefits” being claimed by taxpayers,
we believe the IRS’ concern regarding a tax burden should be reconsidered given
the potential improvement in taxpayer compliance that could be realized by
requiring additional information from the taxpayers.
Management
Actions: The
W&I Division Compliance function is currently performing a compliance
project that is identifying tax returns claiming the tuition and fees deduction
and the Education Credit. These returns
are identified after processing and samples of them are being reviewed to
determine if the deduction is allowable and if the Education Credit was also
allowed. This project is scheduled to
run through September 2005, and when completed, Submission Processing will be
provided with the results.
To ensure the IRS’ strategic goal of enhancing enforcement
of the tax law is accomplished and taxpayers receive fair tax administration,
the Commissioner, W&I Division, should:
3. Work with the IRS’ Chief Information Officer and Chief Counsel to change or develop processes to identify and prevent erroneous deductions during initial tax return processing. For example, the IRS should explore opportunities to use existing processes such as math errors or unallowable items to disallow the “dual benefits” received by single taxpayers with no dependents that claim both the tuition and fees deduction and the Education Credit.
Management’s Response: The IRS will establish a cross-functional task group to conduct a study to determine if there are specific legal options that are feasible and cost effective to address compliance with the restrictions on “dual benefits.” The study will focus on the possibility of addressing errors during the initial processing of return.
4. Monitor the W&I Division compliance project to determine if significant noncompliance, similar to the results of our review, is found. Based on the interim and final results, the IRS should explore opportunities to develop ways to supplement the processes suggested above to identify and prevent erroneous deductions during tax return processing, especially for other than single taxpayers. For example, the IRS could consider revising the Form 8863 to require student identifying information, such as name and SSN. This would permit the IRS to validate the appropriateness of credits claimed on the tax returns. With modifications to existing computer programs, or enhancements to planned modernized systems, this information could be used to systemically identify improper claims. Identifying and preventing improper claims during tax return processing would reduce the number of compliance cases generated and would allow the IRS to use its scarce Compliance resources to focus on more egregious compliance problems.
Management’s Response: IRS management disagrees with this recommendation and is instead conducting the compliance research study mentioned above and using its results to determine the scope of this problem, net tax impact on revenue, and reasons taxpayers inappropriately claimed the “dual benefit.” When the results are analyzed, the IRS will review options for cost-effective corrective measures based on the information obtained from this research effort.
Office of Audit Comment: While the IRS disagreed with this recommendation, we believe the IRS’ commitment to establish a cross-functional task group that will focus on the possibility of addressing errors during initial processing of the returns satisfies the spirit of this recommendation.
Appendix I
Detailed
Objective, Scope, and Methodology
The overall
objective of the review was to determine whether the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) timely and accurately processed Tax Year (TY) 2003 individual income tax
returns during the 2004 Filing Season. The
audit focused on the implementation of new tax law changes that affected TY
2003 individual income tax returns. In
addition, we reviewed the corrective actions for the conditions identified in
our review of the 2003 Filing Season. To
accomplish our objective, we:
I.
Determined whether the
computer programming changes necessary to implement new tax legislation and to
correct problems identified in our review of last year’s filing season were accurately
prepared for the 2004 Filing Season.
A.
Reviewed recent tax
law legislation and determined which tax provisions would have a significant
effect on individual taxpayers during the 2004 Filing Season.
B.
Obtained the computer
programming requests for the tax provisions identified above and to correct the
conditions identified in the 2003 Filing Season and reviewed them for accuracy.
We then compared these computer
programming requests to the related computer program documentation to determine
if the programming was correctly updated.
If problems were identified, we determined if the computer programming
request was included in systems testing and the results of the testing.
II.
Evaluated whether the
IRS correctly implemented new tax legislation that could affect the processing
of returns during the 2004 Filing Season.
A.
Used 100 percent
computer analysis of TY 2003 individual income tax returns processed nationally
between January 1 and May 28, 2004, to determine if systemic controls at the
Submission Processing sites incorrectly:
1.
Computed the reductions
in taxes on dividends and capital gains.
2.
Processed credits for
the Child Tax Credit (CTC) by:
a) Allowing credits that exceeded
predetermined limits based on the taxpayers’ filing
statuses and Adjusted Gross Income (AGI).
b) Allowing the
incorrect amount of CTC when the taxpayer received an advanced child tax
credit.
B.
Electronically
identified 443 returns from a statistical sample of 492 taxpayer accounts that
received overpayments during the 2003 advance payment of the CTC. We reviewed account information for the 443
returns to determine whether the overpayments were recovered and, if not,
calculated the actual amount of improper payments.
C.
Manually screened TY
2003 individual income tax returns on February 3, 2004, at the Austin
Submission Processing Site and reviewed 30 returns to verify the correct tax
rate and standard deduction were used.
D.
Reviewed procedures
for identifying returns affected by the Military Family Tax Relief Act of 2003. In addition, we reviewed a judgmental sample
of 38 amended returns indicating a sale of residence or death gratuity payments
and a judgmental sample of 10 current year and 4 amended returns indicating a
deduction for Reserve and National Guard duty overnight travel expenses.
III.
Determined whether the
IRS’ monitoring system indicated that returns were being processed timely and
accurately.
A.
Monitored various
Submission Processing site production and inventory reports between January 23
and April 30, 2004, for key indicators for returns processing and compared the
statistics to those from the previous filing season. In addition, we monitored the Error
Resolution System (ERS) inventories from various ERS reports between January 23
and April 30, 2004, to determine whether any Submission Processing site
exceeded capacity or incurred delays in working returns.
B.
Computer analyzed
filing patterns to determine whether processing inventories were adversely
affected by taxpayers filing returns at the wrong Submission Processing site.
C.
Monitored the weekly
2004 Filing Season Wage and Investment Production meetings between January 22
and April 28, 2004, and reviewed the IRS’ Weekly Tracking Reports between
January 30 and April 30, 2004. We also
monitored the IRS Submission Processing web site, the IRS public web site, and
other applicable web sites between February 4 and May 7, 2004, to identify
potentially significant issues that could affect processing of TY 2003
individual returns.
IV.
Determined whether the
IRS corrected problems identified in the 2003 Filing Season. We electronically identified TY 2003 returns
processed by the Submission Processing sites between January 1 and May 28,
2004, which met specific criteria. We
determined whether:
A.
Returns with retirement
savings contributions credits and student loan interest deductions were
properly reduced based upon the amount of AGI or Modified AGI by:
1.
Reviewing a judgmental
sample of 105 returns from the 766 returns with retirement savings
contributions credits that contained errors that were processed through March
26, 2004, and identified a total population of 5,088,553 processed through May
28, 2004.
2.
Reviewing a judgmental
sample of 30 returns from the 2,987 returns processed through April 2, 2004,
and identified a total population of 4,950 returns processed through May 28,
2004.
B.
Electronically identified
286,169 TY 2003 returns on which the taxpayers appeared to be eligible for, but
did not claim, the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC) through September 24,
2004.
C.
Electronically
identified 222,175 taxpayers that were allowed the “dual benefit” (16,979 of
these taxpayers were single taxpayers with no dependents) through May 28, 2004.
Appendix II
Major Contributors to This
Report
Michael R. Phillips,
Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Wage and
Investment Income Programs)
Scott A. Macfarlane, Director
Gary L. Young, Audit
Manager
Tina M. Parmer, Lead
Auditor
Linda
L. Bryant, Senior Auditor
Sharon A. Buford,
Senior Auditor
John L. Hawkins,
Senior Auditor
Steven D. Stephens,
Senior Auditor
Steve E. Vandigriff,
Senior Auditor
Bonnie G. Shanks, Auditor
Joe C. Butler, Information Technology Specialist
Appendix III
Commissioner C
Office of the
Commissioner – Attn: Chief of Staff C
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement SE
Deputy
Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division
SE:W
Director, Customer Account Services, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:CAS
Director, Strategy and Finance,
Wage and Investment Division SE:W:S
Director,
Submission Processing, Wage
and Investment Division SE:W:CAS:SP
Chief, Performance Improvement, Wage and Investment
Division SE:W:S:PI
Chief Counsel CC
National Taxpayer Advocate TA
Director, Office of Legislative Affairs CL:LA
Director, Office of
Program Evaluation and Risk Analysis
RAS:O
Office of
Management Controls OS:CFO:AR:M
Audit Liaison: Senior Operations Advisor, Wage and
Investment Division SE:W:S
Appendix IV
This appendix presents detailed information on the measurable impact that our recommended corrective actions will have on tax administration. These benefits will be incorporated into our Semiannual Report to the Congress.
For all of the outcomes listed in this appendix, we conducted computer analyses of Tax Year (TY) 2003 individual income tax returns. The returns were processed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Submission Processing sites between January 1, 2004, and May 28, 2004, and posted to the Individual Master File (IMF). We developed specific criteria to identify returns affected by the tax law changes covered in this review. We used further computer analysis and auditor evaluation of return data to determine if the IRS accurately processed individual tax returns during the 2004 Filing Season.
Type and Value of Outcome Measure:
Methodology Used to Measure the Reported Benefit:
We used computer analysis to identify the number of taxpayers that were erroneously allowed student loan interest deductions that exceeded the allowable amount under the tax law based upon their Modified Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) and filing status. In certain instances, the potential tax benefit from the excess deductions may be reduced. This would be true if the taxpayer’s income level was too low and did not create a tax liability high enough to benefit fully by the amount of excess deductions.
Type and Value of Outcome Measure:
·
Taxpayer Rights and Entitlements – Potential; 286,169
taxpayers appear eligible for, but did not claim, Additional Child Tax Credits
(ACTC) totaling approximately $152 million (see page 7).
Methodology
Used to Measure the Reported Benefit:
To identify taxpayers and credits not claimed, we selected only the TY 2003 returns for which IRS processing determined the taxpayer was eligible for the Child Tax Credit (CTC), but not all the CTC had been used to offset the taxpayer’s tax liability, and the following three conditions applied: (1) the taxpayer did not claim the ACTC, (2) the taxpayer had sufficient earned income to qualify for the ACTC, and (3) the taxpayer showed a tax liability of zero.
Type and Value of Outcome Measure:
· Revenue Protection – Potential; 16,979 taxpayers were erroneously allowed approximately $30 million in tuition and fees deductions. Assuming all 16,979 taxpayers received a tax benefit from the tuition and fees deduction, the estimated tax benefit is $3 million (see page 9).
Methodology Used to Measure the Reported Benefit:
One of the
criteria we used in analyzing the TY 2003 individual income tax return records
was to identify all taxpayers who claimed, and were allowed, the tuition and
fees deduction and the Education Credit.
This analysis identified 222,175 taxpayers that were allowed approximately
$469 million in tuition and fees deductions and $208 million in Education Credits. Since the tax law prohibits taxpayers from
claiming both the deduction and the credit for the same individual in the same
year, we conducted further computer analysis on the 222,175 taxpayers to
identify the number of taxpayers that filed as “single” with no
dependents. This analysis identified
16,979 taxpayers that were erroneously allowed approximately $30 million in
tuition and fees deductions and over $11 million in Education Credits.
Appendix V
Overview of Tax Law Provisions Examined During the Review
The following information describes various tax law provisions that affect individual taxpayers. During our review, we determined if returns containing the various provisions were accurately processed in accordance with the law.
Jobs
and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003 (JGTRRA)
The JGTRRA contained three tax
law provisions that were reviewed:
1)
Reductions in Taxes on Dividends and Capital Gains
Dividends received by an individual shareholder from domestic
corporations and qualified foreign corporations are taxed at the rates for net
capital gains (5 or 15 percent), effective for taxable years beginning after
2002 and before 2009. The 5 percent rate
falls to 0 percent for 2008. The maximum
tax rate on net capital gains (i.e., net long-term capital gain reduced by any
net short-term capital loss) has been reduced from 20 percent to 15 percent (and
from 10 percent to 5 percent for taxpayers in the 10 percent and 15 percent tax
rate brackets) for property sold or otherwise disposed of after May 5, 2003
(and installment sale payments received after that date). The 5 percent rate falls to 0 percent for
2008. The reduced rate applies for both
the regular tax and the alternative minimum tax.
2)
Acceleration of Previously Enacted Tax
Reductions
Acceleration of the Expansion of the 10
percent and 15 percent Rate Brackets and Reduction in Individual Income Tax
Rates and Acceleration of the Standard Deduction:
·
The
amount of the 15 percent regular income tax rate bracket for joint returns is
increased to twice the amount of the 15 percent regular income tax rate bracket
for single individual returns for Tax Years (TY) 2003 and 2004.
·
The
taxable income level for the 10 percent regular income tax rate brackets is
increased for single individual returns from $6,000 to $7,000 and from $12,000 to
$14,000 for joint returns, for TYs 2003 and 2004.
·
The
regular income tax rates in excess of 15 percent were reduced to 25 percent, 28
percent, 33 percent, and 35 percent for TY 2003. The higher rates will go back into effect for
tax years beginning after 2010 due to a sunset provision in the Economic Growth
and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001.
·
The
basic standard deduction amount for joint returns is increased to twice the
basic standard deduction amount for unmarried individuals filing single returns,
effective for TYs 2003 and 2004.
3)
Child Tax Credit
The credit has been increased to $1,000
for each qualifying child in TYs 2003 and 2004. However, advance payments were paid to
taxpayers during Calendar Year 2003 based on the information on their TY 2002
returns, and the credit must be reduced by this amount.
Military
Family Tax Relief Act of 2003 (MFTRA)
The MFTRA contained the following
three tax law provisions:
1)
Exclusion
of Gain From
Allows
suspension of the 5-year test for ownership and use while an individual is
absent due to military service.
2) Treatment of Death Gratuities Payable With Respect to Deceased Members of the Armed Forces
Increases
and extends the exclusion for certain death gratuities to any adjustment (Cost
of Living and other increases) to the amount of the death gratuity payable
pursuant to provisions enacted after September 9, 1986. The death gratuity was increased from $6,000
to $12,000.
3)
Above-the-Line Deduction for Overnight Travel
Expenses of National Guard and Reserve Members
Provides an amount up to Federal Government
per diem for members who must travel more than 100 miles away from home in
connection with the performance of services as a member of a Reserve component
of the Armed Forces of the
Appendix VI
Related Previous Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Audit Reports
1.
Although
the 2002 Filing Season Was Completed Timely, Customer Service Can Be Improved
During Error Processing (Reference Number 2002-40-200, dated September
2002).
2.
Outreach
Initiatives Need to Ensure Taxpayers Receive the Benefit of the Child Tax and
Additional Child Tax Credits (Reference Number 2002-40-203, dated September
2002).
3.
Computer Programming Requests for the 2003 Filing
Season Were Timely Prepared and Generally Accurate (Reference Number 2003-40-112, dated May 2003).
4.
The 2003 Filing Season Was Completed Timely
and Accurately, but Some New Tax Law Changes Were Not Effectively Implemented (Reference Number 2004-40-003, dated
October 2003).
5.
The Child Tax Credit Advance Payment Was
Effectively Planned and Implemented, but a Programming Discrepancy Caused Some
Overpayments (Reference Number 2004-40-042, dated January 2004).
Appendix VII
Management’s Response to the Draft Report
The response was
removed due to its size. To see the
response, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.