TREASURY
INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR TAX ADMINISTRATION
Fiscal Year 2006 Statutory Review of Compliance With Legal Guidelines When Issuing Levies
August 4, 2006
Reference
Number: 2006-30-101
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.
Phone Number |
202-927-7037
Email Address | Bonnie.Heald@tigta.treas.gov
Web Site |
http://www.tigta.gov
August 4, 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 – Fiscal Year 2006 Statutory Review of Compliance With Legal Guidelines When Issuing Levies (Audit # 200630023)
This report presents the results of our review to determine whether the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has complied with 26 United States Code (U.S.C.)
Section (§) 6330, Notice and
Synopsis
This is the eighth
annual report the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration has issued
in compliance with the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 to determine
whether the IRS is complying with legal guidelines over the issuance of levies. The IRS properly informed taxpayers of their
appeal rights at least 30 days prior to issuing levies.
Prior Treasury
Inspector General for Tax Administration reports have recognized that the IRS
has implemented tighter controls over the issuance of levies. This was due primarily to the development of
systemic controls in both the Automated Collection System (ACS)[3] and the Integrated Collection System (ICS)[4] to prevent a levy from being generated unless
there were at least 30 days between the date taxpayers received notice of
their appeal rights and the date of the proposed levy. Our testing of these controls indicated that
they continue to function effectively.
Prior years’ reports[5] also addressed the issue of revenue officers
not always properly notifying taxpayers of their appeal rights when issuing
manual levies to seize taxpayer assets. Last
year’s report was the first report that showed revenue officers properly
notified taxpayers of their appeal rights.[6] Our
review this year of 44 ICS and 25 ACS manual levies issued between October 1,
2004, and June 30, 2005, continued to show revenue officers and ACS employees properly
informed taxpayers of their rights at least 30 days prior to issuing the levies.
Recommendations
We made no
recommendations in this report. However,
key IRS management officials reviewed it prior to issuance.
Copies of this
report are also being sent to IRS officials.
Please contact me at (202) 622-6510 if you have questions or Daniel
Devlin, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Small Business and Corporate
Programs), at 202-622-8500.
Employees Properly
Notified Taxpayers of Their Appeal Rights Prior to Issuing Manual Levies
Appendices
Appendix
I – Detailed Objective, Scope, and Methodology
Appendix
II – Major Contributors to This Report
Appendix
III – Report Distribution List
Appendix IV
– Example of Levy (Form 668-B)
When taxpayers do not pay delinquent taxes, the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) has the authority to work directly with financial
institutions and other third parties to seize taxpayers’ assets. This action is commonly referred to as a
“levy.” The IRS Restructuring and Reform
Act of 1998 (RRA 98)[7]
requires the IRS to notify taxpayers at least 30 days before initiating a
levy action to give taxpayers an opportunity to formally appeal the proposed
levy.
The RRA 98 also requires the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to annually verify the IRS is complying with the provisions. This is the eighth year in which we have evaluated the controls over levies.
Two operations within the IRS issue levies to collect delinquent taxes:
· The Automated Collection System (ACS)[8] function, where customer service representatives (CSR) contact delinquent taxpayers by telephone to collect unpaid taxes and secure tax returns.
· The Collection Field function (CFf), where revenue officers contact delinquent taxpayers in person as the final step in the collection process. Field contact becomes necessary when the ACS does not resolve the tax matter. Delinquent cases assigned to revenue officers in the IRS field offices are controlled and monitored with the Integrated Collection System (ICS).[9]
Both operations issue two types of levies: systemically generated levies and manual levies. Previous TIGTA reports[10] have recognized that the IRS has significantly improved controls over the issuance of systemically generated levies. This was due primarily to the development of systemic controls in both the ACS and ICS to prevent a levy from being generated unless there were at least 30 days between the date taxpayers received notice of their appeal rights and the date of the proposed levy.
However, previous reports identified that additional controls were needed over manual levies issued by revenue officers.[11] In the April 2004 report, we recommended the IRS reconsider requiring managers to review manual levies prepared by a revenue officer. The IRS declined to implement this recommendation but did issue an ICS Alert on March 5, 2004, reminding employees to ensure taxpayer rights are protected whenever a manual levy is issued. Last year’s June 2005 report showed revenue officers properly notified taxpayers of their right to a hearing when issuing manual levies.
This review was conducted at the Small Business/Self-Employed Division Headquarters in the Collection office in New Carrollton, Maryland, during the period January through June 2006 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.
Controls Implemented to Protect Taxpayer Rights During the Issuance of Systemic Levies Are Operating Effectively
Taxpayers were given notice of their appeal rights when systemic levies were issued.
Our review of systemically generated levies showed that taxpayers’ rights were protected. The taxpayers were given notice of their appeal rights at least 30 days prior to the issuance of the levies.
ACS controls
The first step in the collection process involves mailing
taxpayers a series of notices asking for payment of delinquent taxes. If taxpayers do not comply, the majority of
the accounts are forwarded to an
Virtually all levies issued by CSRs are generated through the ACS, which contains a control developed to comply with the RRA 98 that compares the date the taxpayer was notified of the pending levy with the date requested for the actual issuance of the levy. If there are fewer than 30 days between the dates, the ACS will not generate a levy. This control is designed to ensure taxpayers have been notified at least 30 days prior to the levy and have been informed of their appeal rights for any systemically generated levy.
We tested the effectiveness of this control by reviewing a random sample of 30 systemically generated levies issued through the ACS between October 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005. We compared the date of the final notification letter to the date of the issuance of the levy. All 30 taxpayers were timely notified of their appeal rights. Therefore, the systemic controls in the ACS Call Centers effectively protected taxpayers’ appeal rights.
ICS controls
Many times notices and telephone calls to taxpayers do not successfully resolve delinquent accounts, and cases have to be assigned to revenue officers in CFf offices for face-to-face contact with taxpayers. Cases assigned to CFf revenue officers are controlled on the ICS. Revenue officers use the ICS to record collection activity on delinquent cases and generate enforcement actions such as levies.
The IRS installed a control in the ICS similar to the control in the ACS that prevents levies from being issued unless taxpayers have received 30 days’ notice and been informed of their appeal rights. If fewer than 30 days have elapsed since the final notice date, the system will not generate a levy.
We tested the effectiveness of this control by reviewing a random sample of 30 systemically generated levies issued through the ICS between October 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005. We compared the date of the final notification letter to the date of the issuance of the levy. All 30 taxpayers had received notification of their appeal rights at least 30 days prior to the levy. Therefore, the systemic controls over levies issued by revenue officers in CFf offices effectively protected taxpayers’ appeal rights.
Employees Properly Notified Taxpayers of Their Appeal Rights Prior to Issuing Manual Levies
The second type of levy that both CSRs and revenue officers can issue is the manual levy. The manual levy is issued outside the ACS and ICS automated processes and is not subject to systemic controls.
Because manual levies are issued outside the ACS and ICS automated processes, an automated audit trail for these actions is not produced. Therefore, it is impossible to reliably determine the exact number of manual levies issued by either CSRs or revenue officers during our review period. IRS management did inform us they believe manual levies are issued infrequently.
Although ACS CSRs primarily issue levies systemically, they may also issue manual levies under certain circumstances, such as levies on Individual Retirement Arrangements and in jeopardy situations.[12] Manual levies require the same advance notification of the taxpayer as systemic levies, except in cases involving jeopardy situations. IRS procedures require that manual levies issued by CSRs be reviewed and approved by a manager prior to the levy being issued. We consider this managerial review to be an effective control.
Our review of 25 ACS manual levies determined the IRS protected taxpayers’ appeal rights in these cases.
We analyzed the open ACS case inventory to identify any manual levies issued between October 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005. Because there is no automated audit trail produced for manual levies, we analyzed case history comments for any references to a manual levy. Using this methodology, we identified 25 instances in which a manual levy was issued to seize taxpayers’ assets. Our review of these 25 manual levies issued by CSRs showed the IRS adequately protected taxpayers’ appeal rights.
Revenue officers similarly issue levies systemically through the ICS in most cases. They are also authorized to issue a manual levy on any case as needed. While managerial approval is mandatory for manual levies issued by ACS employees, no review or approval is required when revenue officers issue manual levies. Prior TIGTA reports have identified problems when IRS employees issue manual levies.[13] We believe there is a high risk associated with manual levies because no review is required. In the past, we have recommended managerial approval be required; however, the IRS has declined to implement an approval process. Instead, in response to our reports, IRS management has issued specific instructions to remind revenue officers of the 30-day requirement.
Our review of 44 ICS manual levies determined the IRS protected taxpayers’ appeal rights.
We analyzed the ICS case inventory assigned to revenue officers to identify any manual levies issued between October 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005. Because no automated audit trail is produced for manual levies, we analyzed case history comments for any references to a manual levy. Using this methodology, we identified 44 cases in which a manual levy was issued to seize taxpayers’ assets. In two cases that were already closed, IRS management could not provide the documentation that taxpayers received proper notification of their rights and were allowed sufficient time, as mandated by the RRA 98, to appeal this action. In the remaining 42 cases, taxpayers received proper notification of their rights. Due to the small number of errors, we do not have any new recommendations for IRS management.
Appendix I
Detailed Objective, Scope, and Methodology
The overall objective of this
review was to determine whether the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has complied
with 26 United States Code (U.S.C.) Section (§) 6330, Notice and
I. Determined whether the IRS maintained sufficient automated controls and procedures to ensure taxpayers had been advised of their right to a hearing at least 30 days prior to any levy action.
A. Determined
whether automated procedures to prevent levies from being issued in fewer than
30 days from the final notice date were still in place for the Automated
Collection System (ACS)[15]
B. Selected
a random sample of 30 ICS levies from the population of 214,207 levies issued
between October 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005, from an extract of the ICS database
of open cases as of January 2006. We
analyzed Master File[17]
transcripts and the ICS record history for the selected sample cases and verified
that taxpayers had been advised of their right to a hearing at least 30 days
prior to any levy action. We did not use statistical sampling because, based on prior
years’ testing, we did not anticipate finding any errors; consequently, we
would not need to project our results.
C. Selected a random sample of 30 ACS levies from the population of 656,517 levies issued between October 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005, from an extract of the ACS database of open cases as of January 2006. We analyzed Master File transcripts and the ACS record history for the sample cases selected and verified that taxpayers had been advised of their right to a hearing at least 30 days prior to any levy action. We did not use statistical sampling because, based on prior years’ testing, we did not anticipate finding any errors; consequently, we would not need to project our results.
D. Validated data from the ACS and ICS by relying on Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Data Center Warehouse site procedures that ensure data received from the IRS are valid. Various procedures are performed to ensure the Central site receives all the records in the ACS, ICS, and IRS databases. In addition, we scanned the data for reasonableness and are satisfied that the data are sufficient, complete, and relevant to the review. All the levies identified are in the appropriate period, and the data appear logical.
II. Determined whether manual levies issued by revenue officers and ACS function personnel complied with legal guidelines in 26 U.S.C. § 6330.
A. Identified any references to manual levies issued between October 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005, by querying the history narrative text field of the ICS open case inventories and the ACS open case inventory. We identified and reviewed a judgmental sample of 44 manual levies from the open ICS cases and a judgmental sample of 25 manual levies from the open ACS cases. We used judgmental sampling because there is no way to identify the population of manual levies issued.
1. Requested complete case history files (history query) for all cases containing references to manual levies identified in step II.A.
2. Reviewed case history documentation and identified whether a revenue officer or an ACS function employee (customer service representative) had issued a manual levy.
3. Analyzed Master File transcripts and ACS and ICS history files to determine whether taxpayers were provided at least 30 days’ notice prior to any levy action initiated by the IRS.
Appendix II
Major Contributors to This Report
Daniel
Devlin, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Small Business and Corporate
Programs)
Parker F.
Pearson, Director
Lynn Wofchuck, Audit
Manager
Cristina Johnson, Lead
Auditor
Marcus
Sloan, 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, Collection, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S:C
Director, Communications, Liaison, and Disclosure, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S:CLD
Director, Compliance, Wage and Investment Division SE:W: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 Internal Control OS:CFO:CPIC:IC
Audit Liaisons:
Commissioner, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S
Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division SE:W
Appendix IV
The form
was removed due to its size. To see the form,
please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public Web Page.
[1] 26 U.S.C. § 6330 (Supp. IV 1998) as amended by the Trade Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-210, 116 Stat. 933; the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-147, 116 Stat. 21 (codified in scattered sections of 26 U.S.C., 29 U.S.C., and 42 U.S.C.); the Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-134, 115 Stat. 2427 (2002); and the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763.
[2] Pub. L. No. 105-206, 112 Stat. 685 (codified as amended in scattered sections of 2 U.S.C., 5 U.S.C. app., 16 U.S.C., 19 U.S.C., 22 U.S.C., 23 U.S.C., 26 U.S.C., 31 U.S.C., 38 U.S.C., and 49 U.S.C.).
[3] The ACS is 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.
[4] The ICS is an automated system used to control and monitor delinquent cases assigned to revenue officers in the IRS field offices.
[5] Additional Efforts Are Needed to Ensure Taxpayer Rights Are Protected When Manual Levies Are Issued (Reference Number 2004-30-094, dated April 2004) and The Internal Revenue Service Does Not Have Controls Over Manual Levies to Protect the Rights of Taxpayers (Reference Number 2003-40-129, dated June 2003).
[6] Taxpayer Rights Are Being Protected When Levies Are Issued (Reference Number 2005-30-072, dated June 2005).
[7] Pub. L. No. 105-206, 112 Stat. 685 (codified as amended in scattered sections of 2 U.S.C., 5 U.S.C. app., 16 U.S.C., 19 U.S.C., 22 U.S.C., 23 U.S.C., 26 U.S.C., 31 U.S.C., 38 U.S.C., and 49 U.S.C.).
[8] The ACS is 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.
[9] The ICS is an automated system used to control and monitor delinquent cases assigned to revenue officers in the IRS field offices.
[10] The Internal Revenue Service Does Not Have Controls Over Manual Levies to Protect the Rights of Taxpayers (Reference Number 2003-40-129, dated June 2003), The Internal Revenue Service Has Improved Controls Over the Issuance of Levies, But More Should Be Done (Reference Number 2002-40-176, dated September 2002), The Internal Revenue Service Complied With Levy Requirements (Reference Number 2001-10-113, dated July 2001), and The Internal Revenue Service Has Significantly Improved Its Compliance With Levy Requirements (Reference Number 2000-10-150, dated September 2000).
[11] Additional Efforts Are Needed to Ensure Taxpayer Rights Are Protected When Manual Levies Are Issued (Reference Number 2004-30-094, dated April 2004) and The Internal Revenue Service Does Not Have Controls Over Manual Levies to Protect the Rights of Taxpayers (Reference Number 2003-40-129, dated June 2003).
[12] A “jeopardy situation” occurs when the IRS is concerned the taxpayer may attempt to hide or dispose of assets to prevent enforced collection actions.
[13] Additional Efforts Are Needed to Ensure Taxpayer Rights Are Protected When Manual Levies Are Issued (Reference Number 2004-30-094, dated April 2004) and The Internal Revenue Service Does Not Have Controls Over Manual Levies to Protect the Rights of Taxpayers (Reference Number 2003-40-129, dated June 2003).
[14] 26 U.S.C. § 6330 (Supp. IV 1998) as amended by the Trade Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-210, 116 Stat. 933; the Job Creation and Worker Assistance Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-147, 116 Stat. 21 (codified in scattered sections of 26 U.S.C., 29 U.S.C., and 42 U.S.C.); the Victims of Terrorism Tax Relief Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 107-134, 115 Stat. 2427 (2002); and the Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763.
[15] The ACS is 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.
[16] The ICS is an automated system used to control and monitor delinquent cases assigned to revenue officers in the IRS field offices.
[17] The IRS database that stores various types of taxpayer account information. This database includes individual, business, and employee plans and exempt organizations data.