TREASURY
INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR TAX ADMINISTRATION
The Offer in Compromise
Program Is Beneficial but Needs to Be Used More Efficiently in the Collection of
Taxes
July 17, 2006
Reference Number: 2006-30-100
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.
Redaction Legend:
1 = Tax Return/Return Information
Phone Number |
202-927-7037
Email Address | Bonnie.Heald@tigta.treas.gov
Web Site |
http://www.tigta.gov
July 17, 2006
MEMORANDUM FOR COMMISSIONER, SMALL BUSINESS/SELF-EMPLOYED DIVISION
FROM: Michael R. Phillips /s/ Michael R. Phillips
Deputy Inspector General for Audit
SUBJECT: Final Audit Report – The Offer in Compromise Program Is Beneficial but Needs to Be Used More Efficiently in the Collection of Taxes (Audit # 200530005)
This report presents the results of our review of the Offer in Compromise[1] (OIC) program. The overall objective of this review was to determine whether the OIC program efficiently and effectively collects tax liabilities that may not be otherwise collected and whether the taxpayers remain compliant once an offer is accepted.[2]
Synopsis
The OIC program[3] provides taxpayers and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with a collection alternative when it is unlikely the taxpayers can fully pay outstanding tax liabilities or the payment of those liabilities could cause an economic hardship. Although the program as implemented by the IRS is expensive to administer and burdensome for taxpayers, it has benefits for both the IRS and the taxpayer. However, the IRS accepts only a small portion of the offers submitted (24 percent for Fiscal Years (FY) 1996 through 2005).
The OIC program generated direct revenue in excess of the direct cost of administering the program. In addition, many taxpayers who had their offers accepted took advantage of the “fresh” start toward compliance and remained compliant both during and upon completion of offer monitoring.
The offer program could, however, be more effective at getting the appropriate taxpayers to apply for the program. Between FYs 1996 and 2005, approximately 50 percent of about 1.1 million offers closed either did not meet the preconditions of filing an offer or were returned to the taxpayer (e.g., for missing information) during the offer evaluation. This increases the IRS workload because the IRS must evaluate processing requirements for all offers received and often must take other actions before the offer evaluation can begin (e.g., requesting information not submitted with the offer). Frustration and burden is increased for those taxpayers whose offers are returned, and the IRS’ service to other taxpayers in the offer program is affected. The high rates of returned offers occurred because requirements of the OIC program were not always clear to taxpayers.
The financial analysis used in the offer evaluation could also be improved. The full evaluation of an offer involves indepth review of the taxpayer’s assets and ability to pay. This process is complex, requiring IRS employees to pay close attention to details and to make numerous calculations. We found errors on 32 percent of the 187 cases reviewed. These errors affected the outcome of 13 percent of the accepted offers reviewed but did not change the final decision in any of the rejected or withdrawn offers.
The IRS should also more effectively use financial information developed during an offer evaluation. When the offer evaluation results in a decision not to accept, the IRS generally returns the taxpayer’s delinquent account to the normal collection process. The systemic processes involved, in effect, suspend the IRS’ contact with the taxpayers while accounts await assignment to other collection functions. In some instances, due to IRS collection priorities and workload, the taxpayers’ accounts may not receive the IRS’ attention other than through routine notice procedures. Through this process, the information developed in the offer evaluation may not be associated with collection actions taken by other IRS functions.
Recommendations
The Commissioner, Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) Division, should develop a strategy to identify potential candidates for the OIC program and then determine how to get these taxpayers into the program; provide a payment matrix, similar to the Payment Options Comparison Chart, to show the payment alternatives and provide examples of when the offer program should be used; and develop an Internet application for the Offer in Compromise (Form 656), Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals (Form 433-A), and Collection Information Statement for Businesses (Forms 433-B) to screen out taxpayers whose offers are not-processable and to alert taxpayers about what documents must be submitted to the IRS. Finally, the Commissioner, SB/SE Division, should evaluate the effectiveness of the Centralized Offer in Compromise sites’ collection efforts on accounts for which offers were not accepted and determine whether collections from these cases are comparable to results achieved by Automated Collection System collections and whether resources should be used to produce collections on these cases.
Response
IRS management agreed with three of our four recommendations and has initiated corrective actions on those recommendations. The IRS is conducting a pilot to evaluate whether taxpayers who are in compliance and whose accounts are in currently not collectible status are good candidates for the OIC program. The IRS has identified a target population and will be providing the taxpayers with the information necessary to submit an OIC. To assist taxpayers in making an informed decision, the IRS will provide taxpayers with information on payment alternatives in a revised Form 656 and will include this information on the IRS Internet site. In addition, the IRS is evaluating the use of a Hand-Off Unit at the Brookhaven, New York, campus to initiate collection procedures on rejected or withdrawn cases. The IRS will evaluate the effectiveness of this Unit through operational reviews and will determine whether the Unit should be made permanent.
However, IRS management believes implementation of an Internet application for the OIC program is premature. The IRS is developing an Internet application for installment agreements; once that application is fully functional, the IRS will evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of similar applications for other programs, including the OIC program. We agree with the IRS’ decision to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of an Internet application on installment agreements prior to developing an Internet application for the OIC program. This will benefit both the IRS and taxpayers through reduced development and implementation costs. Management’s complete response to the draft report is included as Appendix VIII.
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 Daniel R. Devlin, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Small Business and Corporate Programs), at 202-622-8500.
Improvement
Is Needed in Attracting Potential Candidates for the Offer in Compromise
Program
Inconsistent
Financial Analyses Could Alter Offer in Compromise Decisions
Better Use
of Financial Analysis Is Needed
Appendices
Appendix
I – Detailed Objective, Scope, and Methodology
Appendix
II – Major Contributors to This Report
Appendix
III – Report Distribution List
Appendix
IV – Reasons Offers in Compromise Are Returned to Taxpayers
Appendix
V – Comparison of Centralized Offer in Compromise Sites With Field Offer Groups
Appendix
VI – Related Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Audit Reports
Appendix
VIII – Management’s Response to the Draft Report
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is responsible for collecting taxes when taxpayers file tax returns but do not fully pay the tax liabilities. The IRS has the authority to settle or compromise Federal tax liabilities by accepting less than full payment under certain circumstances. This is accomplished through an Offer in Compromise (OIC) (Form 656). The OIC is an agreement between a taxpayer and the Federal Government that settles a tax liability for payment of less than the full amount owed. Currently, the IRS is authorized to compromise a liability on any one of three grounds:
·
Doubt As
to Liability – there is a
genuine dispute as to the existence or amount of the correct tax liability
under the law.
A taxpayer initiates
the OIC process by submitting a Form 656.
For offers filed on the grounds of DATC or ETA, the IRS requires the
taxpayer to also complete a collection information statement and provide
supporting documents, such as wage and earning statements, to verify
information reported on the financial statements. The IRS requires the taxpayer to
complete a financial statement and provide documents to verify the amounts
reported on the financial statement. The IRS evaluates the acceptability of each
offer by calculating the reasonable collection potential (RCP) based on the
financial information provided by the taxpayer and some internal sources (e.g.,
the Integrated Data Retrieval System) and by considering the taxpayer’s special
circumstances.
To maximize revenue, the OIC program must provide flexibility
to taxpayers in the evaluation of offers while ensuring offers are granted to
legitimate candidates. A recent poll by
the IRS Oversight Board shows that a growing number of adults are not tolerant
of any cheating on taxes. An
overwhelming majority of the
Since Fiscal Year (FY) 1999, we have conducted a series of reviews to evaluate the OIC program.[4] Those reviews were based upon concerns of the IRS Commissioner, the IRS Oversight Board, and/or Congress. Reports from the prior reviews are listed in Appendix VI. The purpose of this review was to provide an overall assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of the program. This review includes data and results reported in prior audits of the OIC program but also presents additional information about the OIC program’s costs and benefits, taxpayer compliance after terms of the accepted offers are completed, and taxpayer compliance when offers were not accepted.
This review was performed at the IRS National Headquarters in New Carrollton, Maryland, in the Office of Campus Filing and Payment Compliance of the Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) Division during the period December 2004 through January 2006. The audit was conducted in accordance with Government Auditing Standards. Detailed information on our audit objective, scope, and methodology is presented in Appendix I. Major contributors to the report are listed in Appendix II, and a Glossary of Terms is included in Appendix VII.
The IRS’ goal for the OIC program is to collect what is reasonable at the least cost, at the earliest possible time, and to promote future filing and payment compliance. Taxpayers whose offers are accepted receive the benefit of a “fresh” start toward compliance. The full benefit of the fresh start is generally realized upon payment of the offer amount and completion of a 5-year period of postcompliance or until the offer amount is paid in full, whichever is longer. The IRS writes off the remaining unpaid tax liabilities, penalties, and interest. However, the OIC program has significant costs to both taxpayers and the Federal Government.
The OIC program generated direct revenue in excess of the direct cost of administering the program. In addition, many taxpayers who took advantage of the fresh start toward compliance remained compliant both during and upon completion of offer monitoring.
Taxpayer cost and benefits of the offer program
Taxpayers initiate the OIC process by submitting a Form 656. For offers filed on the grounds of DATC or ETA, the IRS requires the taxpayer to complete a financial statement and either pay a $150 application fee or prepare an Income Certification for Offer in Compromise Application Fee (Form 656-A). A substantial amount of supporting documentation is also required, which may seem burdensome to taxpayers but is necessary for the IRS to reach the proper decision to accept or reject the offer. The documentation required is dependent upon the information on the financial statement as prepared by the taxpayer or the information developed by the IRS during the offer evaluation. The supporting documentation required may include:
In addition to the amount of paperwork required, a 2003 Nationwide Tax Forum focus group with practitioners indicated that their biggest problem with the OIC program was the IRS delays[5] in administrating the program. However, Figure 1 shows the timeliness of offer processing has generally improved since FY 2001. During FY 2002, over 28,400 offers were in process for over 12 months. This declined to approximately 8,700 offers in FY 2005 (a decrease of approximately 69 percent). However, offers closed during FY 2005 that were in process for over 12 months continue to represent a substantial cost in terms of time to approximately 13 percent of taxpayers in the offer program.
Figure 1: Age of
Processable Dispositions - FYs 2001 Through 2005[6]
Figure
1 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 1, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
The benefit to those taxpayers whose offers are accepted can be significant. IRS data show that, during FY 2005, over 19,000 offers (totaling almost $326 million) were accepted for liabilities of $1.9 billion. Figure 2 shows a comparison of the offer amount to the liabilities compromised for FYs 1996 through 2005. For the 10-year period, the IRS accepted almost 270,000 offers, compromising $21.6 billion in balances due in exchange for offers totaling almost $3.0 billion. These accepted offers represent approximately 14 cents paid per dollar owed.
Figure 2: Comparison of
Offer Amounts Accepted to Liabilities Compromised - FYs 1996 Through 2005
(in millions of dollars)
Figure
2 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 2, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
Federal Government cost and benefits of offer processing
The Federal Government’s cost for administering the OIC program includes direct labor for processing offers. The labor costs include:
We identified the cost of labor applied by the IRS compliance
functions for the field offer groups, the COIC sites, and the IRS
campuses for accepted offer monitoring for FY 2004. We did not obtain the cost of labor applied to the offer program
in the IRS Office of Appeals or
the IRS Office of Chief Counsel because the
necessary data were not readily available. In FY 2004, the 3 compliance functions used
approximately 1,346 Full-Time Equivalents
(FTE) costing $78.5 million to evaluate and monitor offers.
The benefits for the Federal Government from the OIC program include revenue received from offer application fees, offer payments, refund recoupments, and collateral payments. During FY 2004, the revenue from the program exceeded the cost. As shown in Figure 3, the IRS labor cost for the 3 compliance functions was approximately $78.5 million, while direct revenue from the compliance functions was approximately $201.7 million. Although this represents a return of less than $3 for each dollar spent, it does not include future filing and payment compliance discussed later in this report.
Figure 3: OIC Program Cost
Versus Benefits for FY 2004
Figure
3 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 3, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
Other costs and benefits
Other costs of the program include the opportunity cost of using
IRS staff resources for the OIC program rather than collection enforcement.[7] The OIC program can
and has taken away from other collection work.
The Government Accountability Office noted that, between FYs 1997
and 2001, the IRS increased staffing to manage the growing offer inventory and
processing time. However, the growth in
staffing was outpaced by the increases in demand and the complexity of case
processing. The number of direct
collection field staff hours charged to the OIC program more than doubled, from
about 728,000 hours in FY 1997 to about 1.6 million hours in FY 2001. At the same time, the number of direct hours
charged to all field collection activities declined by about 30 percent, from
about 12.7 million hours in FY 1997 to about 8.9 million hours in FY 2001.[8]
In April 2001, 1,078 revenue
officers were dedicated to the OIC program. Implementation of the COIC sites in August
2001 and the lower number of offer receipts during FYs 2004 and 2005 have
allowed the IRS to reduce the number of revenue officers dedicated to the OIC
program. IRS management indicated that,
by the end of FY 2005, this number had been reduced to approximately 300. During FY 2006, the IRS plans to further
reduce this number to approximately 150 offer specialists working out of 3 Area
Offices.
We did not quantify the increase
in revenue from future compliance for the
taxpayers “brought back” into the tax system because of complexities in
determining the amount of revenue generated.
For example, taxpayers who earn wages may have tax withholding paid by
their employers; these withholdings should occur regardless of whether the offers
were accepted.
Taxpayers were compliant after offer acceptance
Taxpayers generally do remain in compliance when offers are accepted. The IRS effectively monitored accepted offers to ensure compliance with the terms of the offers. In our sample of 84 taxpayers whose offers were accepted during FY 1999, the IRS identified noncompliance in 33 (39 percent) instances and took appropriate action to resolve the noncompliance.[9] At the time of our review, 96 percent of the 84 taxpayers were in compliance with the OIC payment terms and the 5-year compliance requirements for filing their returns and paying the taxes due.
The SB/SE Division Office of Campus Filing and Payment Compliance and the Office of Program Evaluation and Risk Analysis (OPERA) conducted a more comprehensive analysis[10] of individual taxpayer compliance with filing and paying requirements for offers accepted during Calendar Years 1995 through 2001. Their analysis determined that approximately 80 percent of the individual taxpayers remained in compliance. This includes taxpayers who received the first collection notice but did not receive any subsequent notices.
Also, taxpayers remain in compliance after the 5-year
monitoring period. Our review of a
sample of 245 taxpayers whose offers were accepted between October 1, 1994,
and December 31, 1998,[11] determined that 220 taxpayers (90 percent) were compliant
with filing and payment requirements on tax periods subsequent to the 5-year
monitoring period.
Since FY 1992, the OIC program has undergone significant changes. These changes have resulted in fluctuations in participation by taxpayers in the OIC program. The IRS was not initially equipped to handle the increase in offer receipts, and a growth in ending inventory and delays in offer processing (i.e., a backlog) occurred. However, recent changes have helped the IRS to work offers more quickly, and the implementation of an application fee has contributed to a reduction in the number of offer filings. The result has been a significant reduction in yearend inventories, improvement in the timeliness of offer processing, and a significantly reduced backlog of offers. Some of the major changes include the following:
Increased emphasis on accepting OICs
In FY 1992, the IRS began to actively encourage taxpayers to use the OIC provision to settle past liabilities and get a fresh start in tax compliance. The IRS liberalized its policy on accepting OICs in response to a significant increase in the IRS accounts receivable. The growth in the IRS accounts receivable caused considerable concern to Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of the Treasury, and the IRS. The goal was to increase the use of offers to increase the collection of revenue, while creating for the taxpayer a fresh start toward compliance with future filing and payment requirements.
A review conducted during FY 1993 by the IRS Inspection Division[13] showed the publicity and increased emphasis on the new program resulted in a substantial increase in offers. Due to this increase, the IRS field offices were concerned about diverting resources from working taxpayer delinquent accounts to working offers. Because no national directive was issued, the field offices were using various assignment practices.
As a result of the change in policy, the number of offers received substantially increased and ending inventories began to build. As shown in Figure 4, the number of offers submitted increased from approximately 17,200 in FY 1992 to 132,500 by FY 1996 (an increase of approximately 670 percent). During this same period, the yearend inventory increased from approximately 14,200 offers at the end of FY 1992 to over 39,500 at the end of FY 1996 (an increase of approximately 178 percent).
Figure 4: Analysis of Offer
Inventories - FYs 1991 Through 2005[14]
Figure
4 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 4, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
In the FY 1997 Taxpayer
Advocate’s Annual Report to Congress,[15] the OIC program was highlighted as 1 of the
20 most serious problems facing taxpayers.
The Report stated that tax
practitioners ranked “Offer in Compromise Issues” as the fourth most serious
problem facing taxpayers and IRS management ranked “Delays in OIC Processing”
as the fifteenth most serious problem. In
addition to the delays, the Report also
noted there was a lack of clarity and consistency in
the program.
Implementation of the RRA 98
The RRA 98 included taxpayer rights and protections
applicable to the OIC program. The RRA 98
added “effective tax administration” as a factor in determining whether to
accept an offer. The Act also provided an independent administrative review
of any proposed offer rejection. However, RRA 98 Section 3462
was vague about the effective date and did not specify how to expand the
program. Temporary Department of
the Treasury regulations were issued on July 21, 1999, 1 year after
the law was passed.
Our review of the
IRS’ implementation of the provisions of the RRA 98 showed that the IRS
modified the OIC process to comply with the requirements of the RRA 98 and had
taken steps to expand access to the program. However, the IRS needed to develop guidelines to better prepare taxpayers to
supply information for the offer process, allow further flexibility when
determining an acceptable offer amount, and encourage taxpayer access to the
appeal process. A management information
system was also needed to monitor and manage both the acceptance of OICs based on special circumstances and the
results of the independent administrative review of rejected offers.[16]
After enactment of the RRA 98, the number of offers accepted in FY
2001 was 50 percent higher than in FY 1997, and a significant inventory
backlog developed. During the same
period, there was a 200 percent increase in yearend offer inventory. As shown in
Figure 4, during FY 2000, the
yearend inventory exceeded the number of offer dispositions during that entire
year. The yearend inventory increased from
approximately 32,000 offers at the end of FY 1997 to approximately 95,000 at
the end of FY 2001. Also, the age
of both offers in inventory and offers at disposition grew. As shown in Figure 5, dispositions taking
longer than 12 months increased from approximately 7 percent to 25 percent
during this same period.
Figure 5: Age of Processable
Offer Dispositions - FYs 1993 Through 2005[17]
Figure
5 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 5, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
Initiation of the COIC program
The IRS initiated the COIC program in August 2001. The concept was to control, gather required
information for, and evaluate offers at two centralized sites (
After implementation
of the COIC sites, the yearend inventories of offers declined and the timeliness
of offer processing improved. Yearend
inventories declined from approximately 95,000 at the end of FY 2001 to
approximately 65,000 by the end of FY 2003 (see Figure 4). Over this same period, the overall timeliness
of offer processing improved. The number
of offers closed within 6 months of receipt improved from 32 percent in FY 2001
to 56 percent in FY 2003 (see Figure 5).
However, our review of the implementation of the COIC
program showed the reduction was primarily due to significantly more offers
being returned to taxpayers. Taxpayers
and their representatives contributed to the increase in returned offers by
submitting offers even though they were not eligible for an OIC or because they
did not stay current in filing tax returns and making estimated tax payments
while their offers were being evaluated.[18] For FYs 2002 and 2003, approximately 163,000 (58 percent) of
280,000 offers were returned to taxpayers either as not-processable offers or as
processable returned offers.
Implementation of an OIC application fee and revision to Form 656
The IRS implemented an OIC application fee at the beginning of FY 2004. The fee was intended to reimburse the IRS for part of the expense of running the OIC program. In addition, the IRS expected that the OIC application fee would deter unreasonable or frivolous offers, thus allowing the available OIC staff to better handle the workload. In addition, the IRS revised Form 656 in July 2004 to clarify processability requirements. The revised Form 656 provided space for taxpayers to include an explanation if they were not legally required to file a tax return.
Our review of the implementation of the OIC application fee showed offer receipts declined at all income levels. However, we noted that taxpayers whose income was below the poverty level were more affected than taxpayers above the poverty level. Since poverty-level taxpayers are exempt from the $150 OIC application fee, it was not clear why there was a more significant decline in offer filings by this group of taxpayers. It is possible that initially some poverty-level taxpayers were not aware of the exemption. However, beginning in early 2004, the IRS conducted a media campaign to advise taxpayers of the OIC eligibility requirements and the exemptions.[19]
After implementation of the OIC application fee and revisions to Form 656, offer receipts declined from approximately 128,000 during FY 2003 to approximately 74,000 in FY 2005 (a 42 percent decrease) . Also during this time, the number of offers closed within 6 months of receipt improved from 56 percent in FY 2003 to 61 percent in FY 2005.[20]
Inventory backlog
Implementation of the COIC program and the OIC application fee had significantly reduced inventory backlog by the end of FY 2005. As shown in Figure 4, the overall number of offers in inventory had decreased 68 percent, from approximately 95,000 at the end of FY 2001 to approximately 30,000 by the end of FY 2005. Figure 6 shows that the ending inventory of all offers over 12 months old decreased from approximately 19 percent at the end of FY 2001 to approximately 6 percent by the end of FY 2005. See Appendix V for a detailed comparison of COIC sites with field offer groups.
Figure 6: Age of Yearend
Inventory - FYs 2001 Through 2005
Figure
6 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 6, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
Other changes to the OIC program
In addition to the changes noted above, the following recent changes may affect participation levels in the OIC program and the timeliness of offer processing:
We have not evaluated the impact of these changes on the OIC program. However, we are currently conducting a review of the partial payment installment agreements and have scheduled a review of the COIC sites’ evaluation of offers from taxpayers filing Schedule C.
The IRS needs to improve methods of identifying candidates for the OIC program. Between FYs 1996 and 2005, approximately 24 percent of the 1.1 million offers received were accepted. Over this same 10-year period, 50 percent either did not meet preconditions of filing an offer or were returned to the taxpayer (e.g., for missing information) during the offer evaluation.
Currently,
taxpayers who wish to participate in the program
initiate an offer; however, this attracts offer applications from taxpayers
that do not qualify for the program or taxpayers that do not fully understand
the depth of financial verification the IRS conducts before accepting an
offer. Our analysis of offer
dispositions determined:
The submission of offers that are returned increases taxpayer frustration and burden as well as the IRS’ workload. It also degrades service to other taxpayers who submit offers that meet all requirements and more realistically represent their ability to pay.
The high rates of returned offers occurred because requirements of the OIC program were not always clear to taxpayers. In addition, taxpayers had little to lose; if their offers were not accepted, collection of their taxes was, in effect, delayed. The OIC application fee implemented by the IRS during FY 2004 was intended to reduce the number of frivolous offers; however, this fee is not applicable to offers that are considered to be not-processable. Also, in light of the potential benefit of a fresh start, the fee may not be significant to some taxpayers.
A significant number of offer applications
are determined to be not-processable
As of November 2003, the processability
requirements (preconditions) for filing an offer included
the following criteria. The taxpayer:
The initial processing for offers, including determining
whether the offers are processable, is conducted at the COIC sites. We determined the COIC sites generally
followed IRS procedures when returning not-processable offers.[25] During FYs 1996 through 2005, approximately 33
percent of the 1.1 million offer dispositions were not-processable. Not-processable dispositions ranged from 56 percent
in FY 1996 to approximately 14 percent in FY 2001. Figure 7 shows the not-processable
determination as a comparison to total dispositions for FYs 1996 through
2005. Some of the processing changes
that affect the not-processable disposition include the following. The IRS:
· Modified the processable criteria and reduced the number of reasons why an offer would be returned as not-processable during FY 2000 (not-processable cases reduced).
· Implemented a requirement that offers be filed on the current version of Form 656 in May 2002 (not-processable cases increased).
· Implemented the OIC application fee in November 2003 (FY 2004, not-processable cases increased).
Figure 7: Analysis of Not-Processable
Dispositions -
FYs 1996 Through 2005
Figure
7 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 7, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
The IRS maintains data to identify the reasons offers are classified as not-processable. For FYs 2000 through 2005, our analysis of that information showed failure to file returns was the most frequent reason for returning offers to taxpayers. The percentage of not-processable offers due to failure to file ranged from approximately 41 percent in FY 2004 to approximately 80 percent in FY 2001. Appendix IV provides more details on the reasons why offers are returned to taxpayers.
A substantial portion of the processable offers are also returned
Once an offer is found to be processable, the IRS may return the offer without a full evaluation of the offer proposal. The processable return category was established in FY 2000 when the IRS changed the criteria for determining the processability of offers. Some conditions previously considered to make the offer not-processable were changed to perfection issues. This allowed more offers to be considered past the initial processing; however, the perfection issues generally need to be addressed before the offer can be accepted.
The IRS may return offers when:
IRS data show that, during FYs 2000 through 2005, 36 percent of approximately 536,000 processable offers were closed as returned offers. Figure 8 shows processable dispositions during FYs 2000 through 2005. Processable returned offer dispositions were approximately 29 percent of the total offer dispositions in FY 2005 and have ranged from approximately 19 percent in FY 2000 to 46 percent in FYs 2002 and 2003.
Figure
8:
Analysis of Processable Dispositions - FYs
2000 Through 2005
Figure
8 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 8, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
Our reviews of 83 offers returned to taxpayers by the COIC sites (33 offers) and the field offer groups (50 offers) determined that IRS procedures were generally followed.[26] We identified errors on only 5 (6 percent) of 83 offers returned. The errors were identified on cases processed by the COIC sites and primarily involved administrative issues such as information not being associated with the case file or the information request was not mailed to the taxpayer.
Recent changes affect the OIC program, but more could be done
When developing the July 2004 revision to Form 656, the IRS obtained comments from both the Taxpayer Advocate Service and tax practitioner groups. In addition to providing direction for the new application fee, the revised Form 656 included space for taxpayers to include an explanation if they were not legally required to file a tax return.[27] The not-processable returned offer dispositions declined from 31 percent of dispositions during FY 2004 to approximately 25 percent during FY 2005. Because of the timing between the implementation of the application fee and the revisions to Form 656, we could not determine the extent to which the improvements to the Form 656 assisted in this reduction; however, it is crucial that the processing requirement be clearly stated so taxpayers can evaluate their situations prior to filing an offer.
During FY 2004, the IRS also attempted to reduce the number of processable returned offers by revising procedures for evaluating responses to information requests. Under the revised procedures, a nonresponse to a request for information may no longer result in a routine decision to return the offer to the taxpayer. For example, when a taxpayer’s response to a request for information is incomplete, the IRS will determine whether:
Discussions with COIC site management indicate these new returned offer procedures have produced more communication between taxpayers and IRS examiners than in the past. Our review of disposition data showed the percentage of processable offers returned to taxpayers declined from 46 percent in FY 2003 to 29 percent in FY 2005. In addition, offers returned because taxpayers did not provide financial information declined from approximately 67 percent in FY 2003 to 48 percent in FY 2005. See Appendix IV for more details on reasons processable offers are returned to taxpayers.
The IRS’ authority to enter into partial payment installment agreements provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 may also decrease the number of offers received. These agreements are similar to offers accepted on a long-term payment basis, known as deferred payment offers. For these offers, the offer amount will be paid over the remaining life of the collection statute. Due to the similarities between these payment alternatives, it is not clear to us which payment method would be in the best interest of the Federal Government and the taxpayer. A June 2005 training topic provided a Payment Options Comparison Chart[28] that showed various payment alternatives. This information could be beneficial to taxpayers and tax practitioners in determining which payment alternative to use. Some modification may be necessary, such as including all offer bases and providing direction or examples to help taxpayers choose among the payment options.
Past changes to the offer program have resulted in significant receipts in potential offers. The IRS was not equipped to deal with the increase in receipts, and a backlog of unprocessed offers ensued. Changes in the offer program are needed to increase the appropriate use of the OIC collection alternative. However, caution is needed to ensure the increase in the use of the program does not exceed the IRS’ ability to promptly and accurately evaluate proposed offers. We believe the IRS should better identify the taxpayers for whom the offer program is intended and actively pursue getting the taxpayers into the program. Taxpayers for whom the OIC program is intended may include:
Our review of accounts in the Queue and shelved accounts[29] determined that, as of April 18, 2005, taxpayer accounts with balances due totaling more than $3.9 billion had been in the Queue for more than 1 year and more than $1.6 billion in balances due had been in the Queue longer than 2 years.[30] In addition, 798,783 taxpayer accounts with balances due totaling $6.2 billion were shelved between October 1, 2000, and September 30, 2004.[31]
Recommendations
The Commissioner, SB/SE Division, should:
Recommendation 1: Develop a strategy to identify potential candidates for the OIC program and then determine how to get these taxpayers into the program. This may include, for example, taxpayers whose accounts are considered currently not collectible and/or taxpayers who have a demonstrated filing compliance.
Management’s Response: IRS management agreed with this recommendation. The IRS is currently conducting a pilot called the OIC Candidate Study. The pilot will evaluate whether taxpayers who are in compliance and whose accounts are in currently not collectible status are good candidates for the OIC program. The IRS has identified a target population and will be providing the taxpayers with the information necessary to submit an OIC.
Recommendation 2: Provide taxpayers a payment matrix, similar to the Payment Options Comparison Chart, to show the payment alternatives and provide examples of when the offer program should be used. The matrix may be made available on the IRS Internet site and the instructions to Forms 656.
Management’s Response: IRS management agreed with this recommendation. The IRS will provide taxpayers with information on payment alternatives in a revised Form 656 and will include this information on the IRS Internet site to assist taxpayers in making an informed decision.
Recommendation 3: Develop an Internet application for Forms 656, 433-A, and 433-B. The Internet application should screen out
taxpayers whose offers are not-processable (e.g., those taxpayers in bankruptcy
or those who have not filed all required tax returns). It should also alert taxpayers about what
documents must be submitted to the IRS, depending on the items reported.
Management’s Response: IRS management believes this recommendation is premature and will not be implementing corrective actions. The IRS is developing an Internet application for installment agreements; once that application is fully functional, the IRS will evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of similar applications for other programs, including the OIC program.
Office of Audit Comment: We agree with the IRS’ decision to evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of an Internet application on installment agreements prior to developing an Internet application for the OIC program. This will benefit both the IRS and taxpayers through reduced development and implementation costs.
Our review of judgmental samples of 187 closed offers (96 accepted, 81 rejected, and 10 withdrawn) showed appropriate determinations were not always made and improvement was needed in the accuracy and documentation of financial analyses conducted during offer evaluations. The samples included 87 offers evaluated at the COIC sites (46 accepted, 31 rejected, and 10 withdrawn)[32] and 100 offers evaluated by the field offer groups (50 accepted and 50 rejected).[33]
In the analysis of offers based on DATC, the offer specialist compares the amount the taxpayer offered with the amount the IRS determines could be legally collected from the taxpayer (i.e., the RCP). When offers are submitted based on ETA, the offer specialist determines if the RCP is greater than the amount owed before considering the taxpayer’s special circumstances.
The RCP is based on the taxpayer’s equity in assets and future income in excess of necessary living expenses. The IRS requires the taxpayer to complete a financial statement and provide documents to verify the amounts reported on the financial statement. The offer should be accepted when the offer amount reasonably reflects the RCP or the offer amount adequately reflects the consideration of economic hardship when a special circumstance exists.
We identified errors or combinations of errors in the financial analysis for 59 (32 percent) of the 187 cases reviewed. The errors identified affected the outcome of 12 (13 percent) of the 96 accepted offers reviewed but did not change the final decisions in any of the 91 rejected or withdrawn offers reviewed. These errors involved:
· Monthly expenses in 15 instances. These included calculation of the allowable tax expense (seven), national standard or local housing standard (five), or other allowable expenses (three).
· The calculation of net equity in assets in eight instances. These included the valuation of equity in investments (five) and the valuation of other assets such as real estate or residence (three).
The IRS implemented the use of standards for three general categories of expenses. The intent was to provide a consistent and reasonable basis when determining the amounts of some common necessary expenses. National standards are used for food and clothing expenses. Local standards are used for housing and utilities expenses and transportation expenses (e.g., ownership and operating expense of automobiles).
The use of these standards has met with some criticism from tax practitioners and the National Taxpayer Advocate.[34] The standards have been cited as being inflexible. IRS procedures indicate these standards are guidelines and can be exceeded if they are inadequate to provide for a specific taxpayer’s basic living expenses. In our reviews of these 187 cases, we identified errors in the application of the standards but did not identify any examples of unreasonable adherence to the standards.
Improper decisions were caused by insufficient evaluation of data
and inadvertent errors in calculations
Insufficient analysis of documentation provided by taxpayers and/or inadvertent errors in calculations occurred because offer determinations involve indepth evaluation of a taxpayer’s assets and ability to pay. This process is complex, requiring employees to pay close attention to details and to make numerous calculations. While managers reviewed and approved the final decisions in the offers included in our sample, the errors were not always identified. This is due to the managers’ workloads and an emphasis on reasonableness of the offer conclusion rather than a recalculation of the offer.
We identified errors in the determinations of monthly income in 36 (19 percent) of the 187 cases reviewed. Inaccurate income determinations were significant contributing factors in 9 of the 12 instances in which the offer determination was adversely affected.
IRS procedures provide that the
income calculation is based on an estimate from current earnings information
(e.g., wage statements for employed taxpayers or income statements for
business and self-employed taxpayers) or from an
average of the taxpayer’s earnings from prior years, when the taxpayer is
temporarily unemployed or employment is sporadic.
Income errors occurred because employees used incorrect sources of information (e.g., income of an unemployed person based on unemployment benefits) or made inadvertent mathematical or other calculation errors, such as not adjusting business or self-employed income for asset depreciation expense. In addition, guidance in the Internal Revenue Manual did not adequately cover many circumstances encountered in evaluating the various types of earning statements. As a result of our review of the COIC program,[35] the IRS revised the Internal Revenue Manual procedures for financial analysis on May 1, 2004. These procedures included additional details for the calculation of income, which should help employees analyze financial information more consistently.
We made additional recommendations in our review of the field offer groups. These recommendations have not been fully implemented, or we have not verified the implementation of the corrective actions due to the limited amount of time since we made the recommendations.[36] Our recommendations included:
As previously
discussed, offer determinations involve an indepth evaluation of the taxpayer’s
assets and ability to pay. The IRS requires the taxpayer to complete a
financial statement and provide supporting documents. In terms of time and resources by both the IRS
and taxpayers, this represents a substantial investment. However, when an offer evaluation results in a
decision not to accept, the IRS generally returns the taxpayer’s delinquent
account to the normal collection process.
The systemic processes involved, in effect, suspend the IRS’ contact with the taxpayers while delinquent accounts await assignment to other collection functions (e.g., the Automated Collection System (ACS) or the Collection Field function (CFf)). In some instances, due to IRS collection priorities and workload, the taxpayers’ accounts may not receive the IRS’ attention other than through routine notice procedures. Through this process, the information developed in the offer evaluation may not be associated with collection actions taken by other IRS functions.
We
determined many taxpayers whose processable offers were not accepted were compliant
with subsequent filing and payment requirements. Other studies also show
that the quicker a delinquent account is actively pursued for collection, the
higher the success rate on collecting the delinquency.
Offers returned to the collection process
The IRS is generally prohibited from taking collection action while an offer is being considered and for 30 calendar days after an offer is rejected. Following the rejection of an offer, the IRS maintains the offer in a suspense file for 45 calendar days. This provides the taxpayer 30 calendar days to appeal the determination and an additional 15 calendar days for the administrative process of associating an appeal request with the offer case file.
Our review of 100 (50 COIC site and 50 field offer group) offers rejected between October 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003, determined collection actions were not promptly resumed following the determinations to reject the taxpayers’ offers, even though the taxpayers attempted to resolve their liabilities by filing OICs. Figure 9 shows a comparison of the collection status of taxpayers’ accounts prior to the offer filings and the collection status[38] following the offer rejections. In 16 of the 100 rejected offers, the taxpayers’ accounts were put in either the Queue or Currently Not Collectible (CNC) status following the decision to reject the offer. In seven other instances, the taxpayers’ accounts were not reactivated for collection due to bankruptcy ****1****, subsequently filed offers ****1****, or ****1****.
Figure
9:
Collection Status Following Offer Rejection
Figure
9 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 9, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
In addition, the 50 cases put into active collection status
in the ACS (45) and the CFf (5) averaged
approximately 102 calendar days (ranging from
39 calendar days to 220 calendar days) from the issuance of the disposition letter to the reactivation
of the active collection status. This
includes an average of 51 calendar days
to close the cases on the Automated Offer in Compromise Database (a minimum of
45 calendar days is generally provided to
allow the taxpayer to appeal) and an average of approximately 51 calendar
days to resume active collection after the cases were
closed on the Automated Offer in Compromise Database.
While some cases experienced
delays in the OIC functions, much of the time required to resume active collection
is due to standard processing routines. While
taxpayers’ accounts are often placed into the collection status they were in
prior to the offers being filed, cases may also be placed in final notice
status[39]after offers are closed.
This occurred, for example, when the taxpayers’ accounts had not had a
final notice issued within the last 18 weeks.
Collections after offer rejection
The RCP calculation offers a reasonable
approach to identifying collection potential, but it did not always accurately predict subsequent collections (i.e.,
collections after an offer has been rejected). Overall, our analysis of the 100 rejected offers[40] showed that subsequent collections exceeded the offer
amounts by approximately $272,000.
For the 100 cases reviewed, subsequent collections were
less than the amounts offered in 36 cases, including no subsequent collections from
13 cases. In total, the offer amount
exceeded the subsequent collections on the 36 cases by almost $204,000. In contrast, 64 cases had subsequent
collections that exceeded the offer amount. The liabilities included in the offer for 32 cases
had been fully paid, and the taxpayers for 16 other cases were currently making
payments through installment agreements.
In total, the subsequent collections exceeded the offer amount on these 64
cases by approximately $476,000.
We compared the subsequent collections with the following RCP groupings:
The taxpayers with equity in assets more often had subsequent collections in excess of the offer amount than those taxpayers in the other groupings. Figure 10 shows the account status at the time of our review and the results of the RCP calculation. In 22 (78 percent) of the 28 cases in the Full Pay - Assets grouping, the taxpayers either had fully paid the liabilities (64 percent) or were participating in installment agreements (14 percent). In addition, 89 percent of these cases had subsequent collections in excess of the offer amount.
In comparison, only 2 (12 percent) of the 16 cases in the Less Than Full Pay grouping had either fully paid the liabilities or were currently participating in installment agreements. Of these 16 taxpayers, only 44 percent had subsequent collections in excess of the offer amount.
Figure 10:
Subsequent Collections on a Sample of
100 Rejected Offers[41]
Figure
10 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 10, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
The SB/SE Division Office of Campus Filing and Payment Compliance function and the OPERA conducted a more comprehensive analysis[42] of subsequent collections from offers rejected. This analysis showed that the IRS collected less than 80 percent of what individual taxpayers were offering in 54 percent of the offers rejected. This includes no subsequent collections from 21 percent of the individual taxpayers.
The IRS report also indicated a high percentage of rejected or returned offers were not actively worked and resolved. The report recommended conducting an analysis to determine how the processing system can be modified to ensure taxpayers whose offer requests are not accepted are offered the appropriate collection alternative treatments. Our tests supported this conclusion.
Compliance after offer nonacceptance
We reviewed a sample of 93 nonaccepted offers from taxpayers who did not have a subsequent offer accepted. The sample was selected from offers closed between October 1, 1994, and December 31, 1998. Our review of the taxpayers’ accounts determined that many of these taxpayers remained in compliance with IRS filing and payment requirements. For the 5 tax years after the offers were closed, the taxpayers:
· Were compliant with filing and payment requirements on or before receipt of the final notice in 69 instances (74 percent).
· Were compliant with filing and payment requirements, but required some collection action beyond final notice, in six instances (6 percent).
· Were not compliant with filing and/or payment requirements in 18 instances (19 percent).
The IRS changed its process for determining RCP in FY 2005, in conjunction with procedural changes in installment agreements and the results of the SB/SE Division and OPERA analysis. Previously, IRS procedures allowed the Collection Statute Expiration Date to be extended for 5 years to obtain a full payment through an installment agreement. Following these guidelines for the evaluation of offers, the IRS generally did not accept the offer when the taxpayer could fully pay the tax liability (i.e., the time remaining until the Collection Statute Expiration Date, plus 5 years).
The IRS analyzed its practice of including the “plus 5 years” in the analysis of the taxpayer’s
ability to make future payments and discontinued that practice. The IRS believes this change should improve
the accuracy of the RCP calculations and the overall quality of offer decisions and result in more accepted
offers.
Also, the IRS is testing a new concept at the COIC sites by taking subsequent collection actions on accounts for which offers were not accepted. This appears to be a positive step in collecting tax liabilities and allows for dialog to continue relative to resolving the delinquency with financial information already obtained. The collections from accounts for which offers were not accepted may not offer significant financial benefits to the overall collection program; however, many taxpayers whose offers were not accepted appear to have a desire to resolve their account problems. The IRS should determine how the information developed in OIC evaluations could be used to assist taxpayers in resolving their tax accounts.
Recommendation
Recommendation 4: The Commissioner, SB/SE Division, should evaluate the effectiveness of the COIC sites’ collection efforts on accounts for which offers were not accepted and determine whether collections from these cases are comparable to results achieved by ACS collections and whether resources should be used to produce collections on these cases.
Management’s Response: IRS management agreed with this recommendation. The IRS is currently evaluating the use of a Hand-Off Unit at the Brookhaven campus. This Unit initiates appropriate collection procedures on rejected or withdrawn cases. The IRS will evaluate the effectiveness of this Unit through operational reviews and determine whether the Unit should be made permanent.
Appendix I
Detailed Objective,
Scope, and Methodology
Our overall objective was to determine whether the Offer in Compromise[43] (OIC) program efficiently and effectively collects tax liabilities that may not be otherwise collected and whether the taxpayers remain compliant once an offer is accepted.[44] During the review, we relied on data from the Automated Offer in Compromise (AOIC) Database to identify closed offers and the monitoring status of accepted offers. We evaluated the reasonableness of the data through comparison with selected information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Collection Reports 5000-108 (Monthly Report of Offer in Compromise Activity). We also compared various samples selected throughout the course of our review with information on the AOIC Database and determined the data were sufficiently reliable for sample selection and inventory analysis. Additionally, unless otherwise noted, we used judgmental or random sampling techniques to minimize time and because we did not intend to project the results. To accomplish this objective, we:
I. Determined whether the OIC program effectively identifies potential candidates for offer acceptance.
A.
Analyzed data from the AOIC Database and Collection
Reports 5000-108 to identify the timeliness with which offer evaluations are
completed.
B.
Evaluated the
appropriateness of 187 offers closed in the Centralized Offer in Compromise (COIC)
sites and field offer groups. We obtained
and evaluated the IRS case files to determine whether correct conclusions were
reached and evaluated the accuracy of the financial analyses used to determine
equity in assets and future income.
1. Reviewed a judgmental sample of 87 offers (46 accepted, 31 rejected, and 10 withdrawn) processed by the COIC sites. The samples of rejected and withdrawn offers were randomly selected from July 2002 closures; they included 31 of 351 rejected offers for which the taxpayers did not exercise appeal rights and 10 of 224 withdrawn offers. We selected a judgmental sample of 46 of 194 accepted offers awaiting shipment to the designated campuses during our onsite visits in August and October 2002.[45]
2. Reviewed a judgmental sample of 100 offers (50 accepted and 50 rejected) processed by the field offer groups between October 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003. The sample included 50 of the 10,000 offers accepted and 50 of the 5,369 offers rejected (the taxpayers did not exercise appeal rights).[46]
C. Determined whether the IRS procedures were accurately and consistently followed for 83 processable offers returned to taxpayers.
1. Reviewed a random sample of 33 of the 3,502 processable offers returned to taxpayers by the COIC sites in July 2002.[47] The sample of returned offers was randomly selected from July 2002 closures.
2. Reviewed a random sample of 50 of the 12,844 processable offers returned to taxpayers by the field offer groups between October 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003.[48]
D. Determined whether the Reasonable Collection Potential (RCP) calculation realistically represents collections from taxpayers whose offers have been rejected.
1. Obtained from the AOIC Database a computer extract of all 1,117,629 offers closed between October 1, 1994, and September 30, 2004 (a 10-year period).[49]
2. Reviewed a judgmental sample of 100 rejected offers closed between October 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003. We used the sample of 50 cases closed by the field offer groups discussed in Step I.B.2. We reviewed a random sample of 50 of 10,807 rejected offers closed by the COIC sites between October 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003. The sample was identified from the data extract discussed in Step I.D.1. to provide a consistent time period for our sample.
a. Obtained the IRS closed case files and determined the components and amounts of the RCP calculations as determined by the IRS employees.
b. Reviewed the Integrated Data Retrieval System (IDRS) between February 28, 2005, and March 5, 2005, and identified amounts collected after the closing of the offers on the AOIC Database.
3. Evaluated proposed IRS changes to the RCP calculation process.
E. Analyzed the impact of the COIC program on the IRS’ offer program. We evaluated the ratios of disposition types and the length of time required to process offers at the COIC sites and field offer groups.
F. Reviewed a judgmental sample of 53 of approximately 800 not-processable offers on hand at the time of our visits to determine whether processability determinations complied with policy. We reviewed 30 offers returned by the Memphis COIC site in August 2002 and 23 offers returned by the Brookhaven COIC site in September 2002.[50]
II. Determined the effectiveness of the offer program in getting taxpayers to remain compliant after offers have been accepted.
A.
Obtained from the AOIC Database a computer
extract of all 30,439 accepted OICs with a legal disposition date of Fiscal
Year (FY) 1999.
B.
Reviewed a statistical sample of 84 of the
28,018 Doubt As to Collectibility offers identified from Step II.A. that were
still open in acceptance status[51]
at the time of the computer extract. The
sample was based on a 95 percent confidence level, a precision level of +4
percent, and an expected error rate of 3.57 percent.[52]
C. Determined whether taxpayers remained compliant after the terms of the offer were completed.
1. Reviewed a random sample of 245 of the 95,080 accepted offers that were not defaulted by the IRS campus OIC units that monitor offer compliance. The sample was randomly selected from offers closed between October 1, 1994, and December 31, 1998, from the data extract discussed in Step I.D.1.
a. Reviewed the taxpayers’ accounts on the IDRS and determined whether the taxpayers remained compliant with filing and payment requirements while the offer was pending and after the monitoring period.
D. Determined whether collection actions were timely resumed on nonaccepted offers.
1. Discussed with IRS management the process and procedures for placing nonaccepted offers back into the collection process.
2. Reviewed a sample of the 100 rejected offers closed by the COIC sites and field offer groups between October 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003. For this test, we used the cases selected in Step I.D.2.
E. Determined the level of taxpayer compliance after offers had been determined to be not acceptable (e.g., rejected, returned, or withdrawn).
1. Selected a random sample of 93 of the 83,158 nonaccepted processable offers closed on the AOIC Database between October 1, 1994, and December 31, 1998, for taxpayers who did not subsequently have an offer accepted.
2. Reviewed the taxpayers’ accounts on the IDRS and determined whether the taxpayers were compliant with filing and payment requirements for the 5 years after their offers had been determined to be not acceptable.
III. Determined the cost and benefits of the offer program for FY 2004.
A. Determined the cost of labor used in the evaluation of all offers and the cost of labor used in the monitoring of accepted offers.
B. Obtained from the AOIC Database a computer extract of all 2,486,190 liability adjustments, offer payments, refund recoupments, and collateral payments recorded on the AOIC Database as of April 11, 2005. For this data extract, our validation testing involved various analyses and a comparison with taxpayer account information through the IDRS. We determined the data were sufficiently reliable for the purpose of estimating revenue from offer payments, refund recoupments, and collateral payments.
1. Analyzed the data extract discussed in Step III.B. to identify the revenue secured through offer payments, collateral payments, and refund recoupments for FY 2004.
C. Obtained from the AOIC Database a computer extract of all 178,279 payment transactions related to the OIC application fee recorded on the AOIC Database as of December 13, 2005. For this data extract, our validation testing involved various analyses, including a comparison with the AOIC Database data reflecting receipts and dispositions. We determined the data were sufficiently reliable for the purpose of estimating revenue from OIC application fee.
1. Analyzed the data extract discussed in Step III.C. to identify the revenue secured through the OIC application fee for FY 2004.
IV. Identified historical trends of offer processing, including acceptance rates, and inventory fluctuations in conjunction with significant OIC program changes (e.g., implementation of the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998[53] and implementation of the COIC sites).
Appendix II
Major Contributors
to This Report
Daniel R.
Devlin, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Small Business and Corporate
Programs)
Parker
Pearson, Director
Amy
Coleman, Audit Manager
Darryl
Roth, Lead Auditor
Todd
Anderson, Senior Auditor
Doris
Cervantes, Senior Auditor
Lynn
Rudolph, Senior Auditor
Janis
Zuika, Auditor
Appendix III
Commissioner C
Office of the Commissioner – Attn: Chief of Staff C
Deputy
Commissioner for Services and Enforcement SE
Commissioner,
Wage and Investment Division SE:W
Deputy
Commissioner, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S
Deputy
Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division SE:W
Director,
Campus Compliance Services, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S:CCS
Director,
Collection, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S:C
Director,
Collection Policy, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S:C:CP
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: Commissioner, Small
Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S
Appendix IV
Reasons Offers in Compromise Are Returned to
Taxpayers
Our analysis of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Collection Reports 4196 (Monthly Offer in Compromise Activity) showed failure to file returns was the most frequent reason for returning offers to taxpayers. Figure 1 provides the various reasons offers were returned to taxpayers as not-processable. The total number of reasons recorded exceeds the total number of offers returned as not-processable because offers can be returned to taxpayers for multiple reasons. The percentages were calculated by dividing the number of returned offers in each category by the total number of offers returned as not-processable. Therefore, these percentages exceed 100 percent.
Figure 1: Not-Processable Returned Offers Reason Codes -
Fiscal Years (FY) 2001 Through 2005[54]
Figure
1 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 1, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
The primary reason the IRS returned offers after the
offers were determined to be processable was because financial verification was
not provided. Figure 2 provides the
various reasons offers were returned to taxpayers. The percentage of total offers returned because
financial verification was not provided substantially declined during FY
2005. The total number of reasons
recorded exceeds the total number of offers returned because offers are
sometimes returned for multiple reasons. Percentages were calculated by dividing the
returns in each category by the total number of offers returned as not-processable. Therefore, these percentages exceed 100
percent.
Figure
2: Processable Return Reason Codes - FYs
2001 Through 2005[55]
Figure
2 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 2, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
Figure 3 provides an example of the Payment Options
Comparison Chart provided during a June 2005 training topic. The Chart shows various installment agreement
alternatives and the deferred offer payment basis. This information could be beneficial to
taxpayers and tax practitioners in determining which payment alternative to
use.
Figure
3: Payment Options Comparison Chart
Figure
3 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 3, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
Appendix V
Comparison of Centralized Offer in Compromise Sites With Field
Offer Groups
We
reviewed a judgmental sample of 187 offers closed by
the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Centralized Offer in Compromise (COIC) sites
and field offer groups. We identified
financial analysis errors in 59 of the 187 cases reviewed. Figure 1 shows the errors by IRS
function and the total number of offers containing a type of error. We identified a higher error rate in the
field offer groups, where more experienced employees (revenue officers) conduct
the offer evaluations. It is possible
this was due to the more complex nature of offers worked by the field offer
groups.
Figure
1: Financial Analysis Errors - by IRS Function[56]
Figure
1 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 1, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
Since implementation of the COIC concept in August 2001, the IRS inventory of offers has declined. Figure 2 shows the total offers in ending inventory declined from approximately 95,000 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 to approximately 30,000 in FY 2005. For the same period, the total offers in ending inventory of the field offer groups declined from approximately 81,000 in FY 2001 to approximately 17,000 in FY 2005.
Figure 2:
Ending Inventories - FYs 2001 Through 2005
Figure
2 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 2, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
FY 2002 was the first full year of the COIC concept. Figure 3 shows the majority of processable offers worked by the COIC sites (ranging from 82 percent in FY 2002 to 92 percent in FY 2005) were processed in 6 or fewer months. However, offers processed by the field offer groups took longer to process. In FY 2002, approximately 37 percent took longer than 12 months to process; however, this percentage had declined to approximately 23 percent in FY 2005. Some of the time spent on processing cases in the field offer groups could be attributable to the backlog of offers that developed prior to implementation of the COIC concept.
Figure 3: Timeliness of Offer Dispositions - FYs 2002 Through
2005[57]
Figure
3 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 3, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
While the overall inventory and timeliness of case actions show improvement, few offers are accepted. Figure 4 shows processable dispositions at the COIC sites and field offer groups. In the analysis, we included offers closed by appeal (whether accepted or rejected) as “Appealed.” Acceptance rates were lower for offers evaluated at the COIC sites than for offers evaluated at the field offer groups. Returned offer rates were generally higher at the COIC sites; however, the COIC sites conduct case-building activities, including requests for information, for some offers that are fully evaluated at the COIC sites and offers that are eventually sent to field offer groups.
Figure 4: Processable Offer Dispositions - FYs 2002 Through 2005
Figure
4 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 4, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
From FYs 2002 through 2005, approximately 43,000 (12 percent) of 370,000 processable offers were closed by the IRS Appeals function. Figure 5 shows the result of the IRS Appeals function offer evaluation based on where the offers were initially evaluated. The Appeals function accepted approximately 14,074 (32 percent) of the 43,397 offers it closed.
Figure 5: Offers Accepted in the IRS Appeals Function -
FYs 2002 Through 2005
Figure
5 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 5, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
Figure 6 shows the ratio of total dollars accepted to total dollars compromised was higher for offers accepted in the Appeals function (18 percent) than for offers accepted in the compliance functions (i.e., the COIC sites and field offer groups) (14 percent). In addition, the average offer amount accepted was approximately $19,000 in the Appeals function versus approximately $12,000 in compliance functions.
Figure 6: Analysis of Accepted Offers - FYs 2002 Through
2005
Figure
6 was removed due to its size. To see
Figure 6, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
Appendix VI
Related
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Audit Reports
1. More Taxpayers Can Benefit From the New Offer in Compromise Provisions (Reference Number 2000-40-093, dated June 2000).
2. The Internal Revenue Service Needs to Consistently Use Special Circumstances in the Offer in Compromise Program (Reference Number 2001-30-096, dated May 2001).
3.
The Internal Revenue Service Needs to Take
Timely and Appropriate Closing Actions on Offers in Compromise (Reference
Number 2002-30-181, dated September 2002).
4.
Continued Progress Is Needed to Improve the
Centralized Offer in Compromise Program (Reference Number 2003-30-182, dated September 2003).
5. Monitoring of Accepted Offers in Compromise Is Generally Effective, but Some Improvement Is Needed (Reference Number 2004-30-043, dated January 2004).
6. Improvements Are Needed in the Timeliness and Accuracy of Offers in Compromise Processed by Field Offer Groups (Reference Number 2005-30-013, dated December 2004).
7. The Implementation of the Offer in Compromise Application Fee Reduced the Volume of Offers Filed by Taxpayers at All Income Levels (Reference Number 2005-30-096, dated June 2005).
8. High-Risk Work Is Selected From the Unassigned Delinquent Account Inventory, but Some Unassigned Accounts Need Management’s Attention (Reference Number 2006-30-030, dated February 2006).
Appendix VII
Area Office
– A geographical organizational level of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Small Business/Self-Employed Division.
Automated Collection System (ACS) – A telephone contact system through which telephone assistors collect unpaid taxes and secure tax returns from delinquent taxpayers who have not complied with previous notices.
Automated Offer in Compromise Database – The IRS database used to monitor Offer in Compromise (OIC) case processing; it was designed to control, track, and monitor offers.
Business Master File – The IRS database that consists of Federal tax-related transactions and accounts for businesses. These include employment taxes, income taxes on businesses, and excise taxes.
Campus –
The data processing arm of the IRS. The
campuses process paper and electronic submissions, correct errors, and forward
data to the Computing Centers for analysis and posting to taxpayer accounts.
Centralized Offer in Compromise – The IRS units located in the Brookhaven,
Collateral Payment – Payment from a collateral agreement. A collateral agreement enables the Federal Government to collect funds in addition to the amount actually secured by the offer or to add additional terms not included in the standard Offer in Compromise (Form 656) agreement, thereby recouping part or all of the difference between the amount of the offer or additional terms of the offer and the liability compromised.
Collection Due Process – Allows taxpayers a right to a hearing before the IRS
Appeals function regarding proposed collection enforcement actions or filed
Notices of Federal Tax Lien.
Collection Field function (CFf) – The unit in the field offices consisting of revenue officers who handle personal contacts with taxpayers to collect delinquent accounts or secure unfiled tax returns.
Collection
Information Statement – A financial statement listing assets,
income, liabilities, and expenses submitted by the taxpayer.
Collection Statute Expiration Date – A time period established by law to
collect taxes; it is normally 10 years from the date of the tax assessment.
Doubt As to Collectibility – Basis for acceptance of an offer when there is doubt that the tax can be paid in full.
Field Offer Group – The IRS units staffed with experienced revenue officers, known as offer specialists, that work more complicated offers to completion.
Financial Statement – A statement listing assets, income, liabilities, and expenses.
Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) – A measure of labor hours in which 1 FTE is equal to 8 hours multiplied by the number of compensable days in a particular fiscal year. For Fiscal Year 2004, 1 FTE was equal to 2,096 staff hours.
Income
Certification for Offer in Compromise Application Fee (Form 656-A) – The IRS form used by taxpayers to request an exception
to the OIC application fee because of income.
Individual Master
File – The IRS database that maintains transactions or records of individual
tax accounts.
Inequitable Treatment – Due to exceptional circumstances, collection of the tax liability in full would undermine public
confidence that the tax laws are being administered in a fair and equitable
manner.
Integrated Data Retrieval System – The IRS computer system capable of retrieving or updating stored information; it works in conjunction with taxpayer account records on the Master File.
Master File – The IRS database that stores various types of taxpayer account information. This database includes individual, business, and employee plans and exempt organizations data.
Not-Processable – A disposition category used by the IRS for an offer in which the taxpayer does not meet one or more of the minimum established criteria for offer consideration.
Offer in Compromise – An agreement between a taxpayer and the Federal Government that settles a tax liability for payment of less than the full amount owed. The IRS has the authority to settle or compromise Federal tax liabilities by accepting less than full payment under certain circumstances. This is accomplished through an Offer in Compromise (Form 656).
IRS Oversight Board – An independent body responsible to provide the IRS with long-term guidance and direction.
Poverty-Level Guidelines – A poverty measure established by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Processable Disposition – Offers that are closed after
the IRS determined the taxpayer met the minimum established criteria for
offer consideration. This includes offers
that are accepted, rejected, withdrawn, or returned to taxpayers.
Processable Return – Offers that are returned to
taxpayers closed after the IRS determined the taxpayers met the minimum
established criteria for offer consideration.
Queue – An automated holding file for unassigned inventory of low-priority delinquent cases that the Collection function does not have enough resources to immediately assign for contact.
Reasonable Collection Potential (RCP) – The amount the IRS determines could reasonably be collected from the taxpayer. The RCP equals the total realizable value of the taxpayer’s assets plus future income.
Refund Recoupment
– The refund for the year in which an OIC
was accepted. Part of the OIC agreement
is that the taxpayer agrees to allow the IRS to keep any tax refund for the
year in which the OIC was accepted.
Revenue Officer – Employees in the CFf who attempt to contact taxpayers and resolve collection matters that have not been resolved through notices sent by the IRS campuses (formerly known as service centers) or the ACS.
Tax Period – Refers to each tax return filed by the taxpayer for a specific period (year or quarter) during a calendar year for each type of tax.
Solely to Delay – A processable return reason referring to offers that were submitted for the purpose of avoiding or delaying collection activity. This may include the resubmission of an offer after a prior offer has been returned or rejected and the new offer is essentially the same as the prior returned or rejected offer.
Shelved Accounts – Delinquent unpaid
accounts that have been taken out of Collection function inventory because they
are lower priority than other available cases.
Special Circumstance – The facts and circumstance surrounding the taxpayer’s financial situation, such as advanced age or serious illness.
Appendix VIII
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.
[1] Appendix VII includes definitions of terms used in this report.
[2] Since Fiscal Year 1999, we have conducted a series of reviews to evaluate the OIC program. Reports from those reviews are listed in Appendix VI. The purpose of this review was to provide an overall assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of the OIC program. This review includes data and results reported in prior audits of the OIC program but also presents additional information about the OIC program’s costs and benefits, taxpayer compliance after terms of the accepted offers are completed, and taxpayer compliance when offers were not accepted.
[3] The OIC program is also referred to as the offer program in this report.
[4] The OIC program is also referred to as the offer program in this report.
[5] Customer Satisfaction Issues of Practitioners, 2003
Nationwide Tax Forum Focus Groups, Project 01.08.005.03 Brooklyn/Hartford &
Seattle/San Jose Research.
[6] For FY 2005, the IRS offer data include not-processable offers in the age of dispositions. These data showed that, during FY 2005, 64,811 of the dispositions were closed in 6 or fewer months. For comparability with prior fiscal years, we excluded 22,713 not-processable offers from the number of offers disposed of in 6 or fewer months (to arrive at the figure shown in the last column of Figure 1).
[7] IRS management believes the opportunity cost is substantial. In the SB/SE Division discussion document, Offers in compromise: HOW MUCH DOES THIS PROGRAM COST?, August 2004, the IRS estimated that the potential opportunity cost of the lost resources may be over $1.1 billion per year.
[8] TAX ADMINISTRATION: IRS Should Evaluate the Changes to Its Offer in Compromise Program (GAO-02-311, dated March 2002).
[9] For more information, see Appendix VI, report 5.
[10] IRS Offers in Compromise Program, Analysis of Various Aspects of the OIC Program, September 2004.
[11] The number of tax years for which taxpayers were compliant after completion of the offer monitoring period varies based on offer acceptance date. At the time of our review, taxpayers in our sample had been compliant from 1 to 5 tax years after the offer monitoring period.
[12] Pub. L. No. 105-206, 112 Stat. 685, 765.
[13] Before implementation of the RRA 98, the functions of the TIGTA were conducted by the IRS Inspection Division. Inspection report Review of the Service’s Implementation of the New Offer in Compromise Policy (Reference Number 92070, dated April 5, 1993).
[14] The ending inventory does not equal beginning inventory. This is due to inventory corrections affecting beginning inventory. For example, beginning inventory can be increased to reflect instances in which previously closed cases are reopened.
[15] IRS Publication 2104 (Rev. 1-98).
[16] For more information, see Appendix VI, report 1.
[17] For FY 2005, the IRS offer data include not-processable offers in the age of dispositions. These data showed that, during FY 2005, 71 percent of the dispositions were closed in 6 or fewer months. For comparability with prior fiscal years, we excluded not-processable offers from the number of offers disposed of in 6 or fewer months (to arrive at the percentage shown in the last column of Figure 5).
[18] For more information, see Appendix VI, report 4.
[19] For more information, see Appendix VI, report 7.
[20] IRS data showed 71 percent of the dispositions were closed in 6 or fewer months. This included not-processable offers. For comparability, we excluded not-processable offers from the number of offers disposed of in 6 or fewer months.
[21] Pub. L. No. 108-357, 118 Stat. 1418 (2004).
[22] This is because offers submitted on the basis of Doubt As to Liability represent disputes as to the existence or amount of the tax liability and apply to the specific tax periods that are in question.
[23] The IRS eliminated this from the not-processable return criteria during FY 2005.
[24] The application fee is not required for offers filed solely on the basis of Doubt As to Liability.
[25] We reviewed a judgmental sample
of 53 offers closed as not-processable during our visits to the 2 COIC
sites. We reviewed 30 offers returned by
the Memphis COIC site in August 2002 and 23 offers returned by the Brookhaven
COIC site in September 2002. For
more information, see Appendix VI, report 4.
[26] For more information, see Appendix VI, reports 4 and 6.
[27] National Taxpayer Advocate report entitled 2004 Annual Report to Congress (Reference Volume 1, page 319).
[28] See Appendix IV, Figure 3.
[29] For more information, see Appendix VI, report 8.
[30] The Individual Master File data were not limited by type of tax, but the Business Master File data include only trust fund taxes.
[31] For this analysis, we excluded some shelved tax modules that may have limited collection and/or lien potential. These are criteria we defined during this audit, not IRS criteria. The Individual Master File tax modules include only those taxpayers that were alive (no date of death on the Master File) and between 20 and 65 years old. Business Master File tax modules exclude estates and include only those businesses that did not have a business-closed date entered on the Master File.
[32] For more information, see Appendix VI, report 4.
[33] For more information, see Appendix VI, report 6.
[34] National Taxpayer Advocate report entitled 2005 Annual Report to Congress (Reference Volume 1, Topic number 16).
[35]
For more information, see Appendix VI, report 4.
[36] For more information, see Appendix VI, report 6.
[37] Decision Point is a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet application developed by the IRS to guide IRS employees through the financial evaluation of offers.
[38] This analysis shows the collection status other than notice status (e.g., final notice).
[39] The final notice is the last notice the taxpayer receives before the IRS will take collection action on the taxpayer like the filing of a lien, levying on the taxpayer, or seizing property.
[40] We reviewed the taxpayers’ account information between February 28, 2005, and March 4, 2005. This was approximately 20 to 29 months after the offers had been rejected and closed on the Automated Offer in Compromise Database.
[41] The percentage calculation by current status in the Full Pay – Future Income grouping was affected by rounding and does not total 100 percent.
[42] IRS Offers in Compromise Program, Analysis of Various Aspects of the OIC Program, September 2004.
[43] Appendix VII includes definitions of terms used in this report.
[44] Since Fiscal Year 1999, we have conducted a series of
reviews to evaluate the OIC program.
Reports from those reviews are listed in Appendix VI. The purpose of this review was to provide an
overall assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of the OIC program. This review includes data and results
reported in prior audits of the OIC program but also presents additional
information about the OIC program’s costs and benefits, taxpayer compliance
after terms of the accepted offers are completed, and taxpayer compliance when
offers were not accepted.
[45] See Appendix VI, report 4. Step I.B.1. was conducted during that review.
[46] See Appendix VI, report 6. Step I.B.2. was conducted during that review.
[47] See Appendix VI, report 4. Step I.C.1. was conducted during that review.
[48] See Appendix VI, report 6. Step I.C.2. was conducted during that review.
[49] The total dispositions (1,114,234) shown on the Collection Reports 5000-108 for FYs 1995 through 2004 do not equal the total number of offers in our data extract (1,117,629). The difference in the number of dispositions between these two sources occurred because of the use of cutoff dates to obtain the Collection Reports 5000-108 data and inventory corrections recorded on the AOIC Database. Based on our data validation tests, we determined the data extract was sufficiently reliable for sample selection and inventory analysis.
[50] See Appendix VI, report 4. Step I.F. was conducted during that review.
[51] Accepted offers being monitored by the IRS campus OIC units that monitor offer compliance.
[52] See Appendix VI, report 5. Step II.B. was conducted during that review.
[53] Pub. L. No. 105-206, 112 Stat. 685, 765.
[54] Form 433-A is a Collection Information Statement for Wage Earners and Self-Employed Individuals. Form 433-B is a Collection Information Statement for Businesses.
[55] In our analysis, we grouped return reasons in the category “Other” when the FYs 2001 through 2005 percentage totals were less than 1 percent.
[56] National standards are used for food and clothing
expenses. Local standards are used for
housing and utilities expenses and transportation expenses (e.g., ownership and
operating expense of automobiles).
[57] For FY 2005, the IRS offer data include not-processable offers in the age of dispositions. For comparability with prior fiscal years, we excluded not-processable offers from the number of offers disposed of in 6 or fewer months.