System Errors and Lower Than Expected Tax Return Volumes Affected the Implementation of the Modernized e-File System for Individual Tax Return Processing
September 8, 2010
Reference
Number: 2010-40-111
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 | 202-622-6500
Email Address | inquiries@tigta.treas.gov
Web Site |
http://www.tigta.gov
HIGHLIGHTS
SYSTEM ERRORS AND LOWER THAN EXPECTED TAX RETURN VOLUMES AFFECTED THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MODERNIZED E-FILE SYSTEM FOR INDIVIDUAL TAX RETURN PROCESSING
Highlights
Final
Report issued on September 8, 2010
Highlights of Report Number:
2010-40-111 to the Internal Revenue Service Commissioner for the Wage
and Investment Division.
IMPACT ON TAXPAYERS
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is in the process of replacing
its existing electronic filing (e-file)
platform, referred to as “the Legacy e-File
system,” with a modernized, Internet-based system, the Modernized e-File (MeF) system. The MeF system provides real-time processing
of tax returns and extensions that will improve error detection, standardize
business rules, and expedite acknowledgments.
The MeF system also allows taxpayers to attach documents to their tax
returns.
WHY TIGTA DID THE AUDIT
This
audit was initiated because the MeF system aims to
increase e-file use through a system
that is efficient and easy to access, use, and maintain. The overall objective of this review was to
determine whether e-filed individual
income tax returns transmitted through the MeF system are processed timely and
accurately in a manner consistent with tax returns processed in the Legacy e-File system.
WHAT TIGTA FOUND
Although the IRS has processed business
tax returns through the MeF system since February 2004, the processing of
individual tax returns presented a significant challenge. The migration
of individual tax returns to the MeF system is a joint venture among the IRS,
the tax return preparation industry, and the States. The IRS established a number of tools to
share information and assist its stakeholders during the development and
implementation of MeF Release 6.1.
Our
review identified that tax returns were erroneously rejected from the MeF
system. Of the 29 MeF system business
rules we reviewed, 19 (66 percent) appeared to either reject tax returns
in error or reject tax returns without providing accurate explanation as to why
the tax returns were rejected.
In addition, the IRS
anticipated processing 9.3 million tax returns through its MeF system as of
April 15, 2010. However, the IRS only
received 752,320 tax returns (8.1 percent).
Due to the low volume of tax returns received through the MeF system,
the IRS was not able to assess its capability to handle large volumes of tax returns.
WHAT TIGTA RECOMMENDED
TIGTA recommended that the Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division:
·
Establish
processes to timely monitor the transmitting and processing of individual tax
returns through the MeF system.
·
Work
with tax return transmitters and the States to identify and address issues that
prevented them from using the MeF system and encourage them to use it during
the 2011 Filing Season.
The
IRS agreed with our recommendations. It
employed several processes to validate the accuracy of individual tax return
processing for the 2010 Filing Season.
It also plans to use Business Objects for the 2011 Filing Season to
identify trends that may indicate errors in the rejection or acceptance of tax
returns and to ensure the explanations provided for rejected returns are correct. The IRS has also begun to work with tax
return transmitters and the States to identify and address issues that
prevented them from using the MeF system and encourage them to use it during
the 2011 Filing Season. It plans to continue
to leverage existing external venues for the MeF system to maximize its
partnership, outreach, and customer service to external stakeholders. Finally, the IRS plans to identify and
implement system performance enhancements.
September 8, 2010
MEMORANDUM FOR COMMISSIONER, WAGE AND INVESTMENT DIVISION
FROM: Michael R. Phillips /s/ Michael R. Phillips
Deputy Inspector General for Audit
SUBJECT: Final Audit Report – System Errors and Lower Than Expected Tax Return Volumes Affected the Implementation of the Modernized e-File System for Individual Tax Return Processing (Audit # 200940047)
This report presents the results of our review to determine whether electronically filed (e-filed) individual income tax returns transmitted through the Modernized e-File (MeF) system are processed timely and accurately in a manner consistent with tax returns processed in the Legacy e-File system. This audit was included in the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Fiscal Year 2009 Annual Audit Plan under the major management challenge of Implementing Tax Law Changes.
Management’s complete response to the draft report is included as Appendix VII.
Copies of this report are being sent to the Internal Revenue
Service managers affected by the report recommendations. Please contact me at (202) 622-6510 if you
have questions or Michael E. McKenney, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Returns
Processing and Account Services), at (202) 622-5916.
Appendices
Appendix
I – Detailed Objective, Scope, and Methodology
Appendix
II – Major Contributors to This Report
Appendix
III – Report Distribution List
Appendix
V – Modernized e-File Business Rule
Issues Identified During Pre-Processing Testing
Appendix
VII – Management’s Response to the Draft Report
Abbreviations
|
e-file
or e-filed |
Electronic Filing or Electronically File(d) |
|
IRS |
Internal Revenue Service |
|
MeF |
Modernized e-File |
|
PDF |
Portable Document Format |
|
SSN |
Social Security Number |
|
XML |
Extensible Markup Language |
The MeF system streamlines tax return filing processes and provides
enhanced service to taxpayers, tax preparers, and electronic tax return transmitters.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is in the process of
replacing its existing electronic filing (e-file)
platform, referred to as “the Legacy e-File
system,” with a new modernized, Internet-based system. The IRS refers to its modernized system as the
Modernized e-File (MeF) system. With the MeF system, the IRS aims to increase
e-file use through a system that is
efficient and easy to access, use, and maintain.
The MeF system is being developed and implemented over multiple phases. When completed, it will provide a single method for filing all IRS tax returns, forms, and schedules via the Internet. The MeF system provides real-time processing of tax returns and extensions, which will improve error detection, standardize business rules,[1] and expedite acknowledgments. It also allows taxpayers to attach documents to their tax returns in a portable document format (PDF).
The IRS first introduced the MeF system in February 2004 for business taxpayers. Since that time, the IRS has expanded it to include excise and partnership tax returns with MeF Release 6.1, including U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns (Form 1040). On February 17, 2010, the MeF system began accepting transmissions of the Form 1040 and 22 related individual forms and schedules filed during the 2010 Filing Season[2] (see Appendix IV). The IRS estimated these forms and schedules could account for 72 million of the approximately 90 million individual tax returns e-filed during the 2009 Filing Season. Future releases of the MeF system will include full disaster recovery capability and the remaining Form 1040 related forms (approximately 120 forms).
The IRS plans to fully implement the MeF system in Processing Year 2012. This final release will include all individual tax returns for Tax Year 2011 and provide the capability to accept prior year individual tax returns for Tax Years 2009 and 2010. The current e-file system is scheduled to be retired at the end of the 2012 Filing Season (October 2012). IRS management stated that they will continue to evaluate the planned retirement of the current e-file system and will make adjustments to the date as necessary. The IRS estimates MeF Release 6.1 cost at $78.7 million and a total cost of $673 million to develop, operate, and maintain the MeF system through Fiscal Year 2020, which is the project’s planned completion date.
MeF system processing of individual tax returns will provide enhanced service to taxpayers, tax preparers, and electronic tax return transmitters. Figure 1 compares the planned functionality for the MeF system with that of the existing Legacy e-File system.
Figure 1: Comparison of Legacy e-File and MeF Systems
|
Legacy e-File System |
MeF System |
|
Utilizes different data formats for various types of tax return transmissions. |
Consistent file format for tax forms and schedules (extensible markup language (XML)). |
|
Does not accept tax return transmissions between mid-October and January each year. |
Accepts tax return transmissions year-round. |
|
Tax return transmissions are received in a batch return system with tax returns being extracted and processed at three points each day. Acknowledgement of tax return receipts provided within 2 days of receipt. |
Tax return transmissions are received in a transaction-based system with tax returns processed when received. Acknowledgement of tax return receipts provided to the transmitters within a few minutes of their transmissions. |
|
A single validation process with generic reject[3] messages |
Multilevel validation process with detailed reject messages to provide more specific information on the reason a tax return was rejected. |
|
Does not accept tax return supporting documentation. |
Accepts tax return supporting documentation in PDF format. |
|
Does not allow the filing of prior year tax returns during the current processing year. |
Will allow the filing of prior year tax returns during the current processing year. |
|
Does not allow the filing of an amended individual tax return. |
Will allow the filing of an amended individual income tax return. |
Source: IRS documentation of the functionality of the Legacy e-File and MeF systems.
The MeF System Uses a Multilevel
Validation Process to Ensure Tax Returns Meet Filing Requirements
Unlike the Legacy e-File system processing of e-filed tax returns, the MeF system uses three levels of validation. Once a tax return has passed all three levels of validation, it will enter the IRS’ tax return processing stream. The three levels of validation include:
· Level 1 – Schema Validation – A MeF system tax return is divided into a series of different data structures. A schema defines the data elements within each data structure and the interrelationships among the data elements (i.e., what is required, field length, data type, allowable field values, etc.). The MeF system verifies that the data structure of each tax return transmission file meets the requirements defined in the individual schemas. If an error is found, the tax return is rejected and returned to the transmitter for correction.
· Level 2 – National Account Profile[4] Checks – The taxpayer, spouse, and dependent name controls[5] and Taxpayer Identification Numbers on a tax return must match the information on the National Account Profile before the IRS will accept the tax return for processing. The MeF system conducts the same basic verification as the Legacy e-File system. However, the MeF system verifies transmissions on a transaction basis, while the Legacy e-File system verifies transmissions using batch processing. As with schema validations, a tax return is rejected if it fails one or more of the National Account Profile checks. Examples of these checks include verifying that a Social Security Number (SSN) listed on the tax return is valid and that the name and SSN match IRS records.
· Level 3 – Business Rule Checks – The IRS established criteria or business rules each tax return must meet before it can be processed electronically. These rules are designed to validate basic requirements on a tax return, such as income limits for tax credits and deductions and the need to attach a specific schedule if certain conditions are present on the tax return. A tax return may be rejected if one or more of the business rules are not met.
This review
was performed at the Wage and Investment Division Office of Electronic Tax
Administration Headquarters in Washington, D.C.; the Customer Account Services
Submission Processing function Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia; and the
Modernization and Information Technology Services organization Headquarters in
New Carrollton, Maryland. Our testing
was completed during the period November 2009 through May 2010. We conducted this performance audit in
accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain sufficient, appropriate evidence to provide a reasonable
basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objective. We believe that the evidence obtained
provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit
objective. Detailed information on our
audit objective, scope, and methodology is presented in
System Errors and Lower Than Expected Tax Return Volumes Affected Implementation and the Ability to Evaluate System Performance
Individual tax return processing through the MeF system involves
more complex programming and system requirements than business tax return
processing.
Although the IRS has processed business tax returns through the MeF system since February 2004, processing individual tax returns through this system presented a significant challenge for the IRS. Adding individual income tax returns to the MeF system is a significant undertaking when compared with business tax returns. For example, processing individual tax returns requires:
· Developing formats and data structures as well as the attributes necessary for the various tax forms and schedules individuals may be required to file.
· Expanding the MeF system, including adding additional computer equipment, so that a much higher volume of tax returns can be received and processed.
· Developing interfaces with 21 different IRS system applications.
· Establishing a new and much more extensive set of verifications or business rules to ensure that tax returns filed have a high probability of being accepted and processed without error. The IRS was also required to incorporate several important tax law changes for a number of the business rules.
As of April 15, 2010, the IRS successfully accepted 618,839 individual tax returns transmitted through the MeF system for processing.
The IRS developed tools and processes to inform and engage stakeholders in the implementation of MeF system individual tax return processing
The migration of individual tax returns to the MeF system is a joint venture among the IRS, the tax return preparation industry, and the various States. The IRS recognizes that successful implementation and migration to the MeF system for individual tax returns hinges on its stakeholders’ ability to develop and upgrade their tax return preparation and transmission programs and processes. The IRS established a number of tools to share information and assist its stakeholders during the development and implementation of MeF Release 6.1 including:
· Holding monthly Form 1040 MeF working group calls with participants from the States and tax return transmitters, preparers, and software developers to discuss their concerns, including what tax forms and schedules would be allowed, issues with business rules, and difficulties experienced with transmissions.
· Holding monthly Form 1040 MeF Executive Steering Council calls with a select group of cross-functional IRS and tax industry stakeholders to discuss common interests and concerns related to the design, development, and deployment for individual income tax return processing. The IRS began these calls in the fall of 2007, with the start of development of the MeF system for individual tax returns, and continued the calls throughout development and implementation of MeF Release 6.1.
· Establishing a MeF 1040 mailbox to allow external stakeholders such as tax return transmitters to submit technical and procedural questions via electronic mail to the IRS. The IRS received 303 emails to this mailbox between October 2009 and April 2010.
· Establishing various MeF system informational pages on IRS.gov to provide one source for information related to MeF. Available information includes the system’s operational status, updates on recent issues affecting the MeF system, and details about certain business rules that are affecting tax return transmissions.
· Offering stakeholders the ability to receive automatic email alerts. These alerts may include updates about system issues, information on business rules for problems that have developed, and changes to publications and relevant data requirements and formats. The IRS issued 81 automatic email alerts related to the MeF system between October 2009 and April 2010.
Tax return transmitters we surveyed complimented the IRS on sharing information, providing guidance when needed, and responding to their concerns.
Once the IRS began accepting individual tax returns through the MeF system, it continued to provide support to external stakeholders by holding daily/weekly conference calls to discuss immediate concerns or problems being experienced. In addition, the IRS established individual points of contact within the IRS to enable stakeholders to raise concerns and receive assistance during the last phase of testing and initial startup of tax return transmissions. Overall, comments received from tax return transmitters we surveyed were consistent in complimenting the IRS on sharing information, providing needed guidance, and responding to concerns.
Although the IRS provided significant support to its stakeholders, our review showed that the IRS did not develop effective processes to identify errors once MeF system individual tax return processing began. In addition, the low volume of individual tax return transmissions via the MeF system makes it difficult to evaluate the success of the system. The MeF system is a critical component of the IRS’ efforts to modernize its e-file program.
The successful migration of individual tax returns to the MeF
system becomes even more important as the number of taxpayers who e-file continues to grow. As of April 12, 2010, less than 1 percent of
the almost 90 million e-filed individual
tax returns were filed through the MeF system.
Recent legislation will result in further increases in the number of tax
returns that are e-filed. The Worker,
Effective processes were not developed to identify MeF system individual tax return errors
Erroneously rejected tax returns and missing business rules
hindered the success of MeF Release 6.1.
Our review of 29[8] MeF system business rules identified that 19
(66 percent) of the 29 rules we analyzed as of April 21, 2010, appeared to
reject tax returns in error or reject the tax returns without providing accurate
explanations as to why they were rejected.
The accuracy of the explanation provided is essential to the transmitter’s/preparer’s
ability to correct the error condition. Tax
returns were erroneously rejected from the MeF system because of incorrect
system requirements and programming errors.
Erroneous rejections could result
in taxpayers not receiving tax credits and other tax benefits to which they are
entitled. In addition, inaccurate and
confusing explanations of why tax returns are rejected can cause taxpayers to
make unnecessary changes to their tax returns.
Appendix VI provides a summary of the errors we identified and
reported to the IRS between February 17 and April 21, 2010.
In a separate review of MeF Release 6.1 system development activities,[9] we identified that the MeF System Development Project Team created plans to ensure required capabilities were developed by tracing release requirements between the Business System Requirements Report Final[10] and the System Integration and Test Plan.[11] However, while the System Integration Test results provided by the IRS show most application requirements were tested and passed, supporting test documents provided to us after the audit’s closing conference showed that many of the requirements were in fact not tested. Many more failed the tests and no indication was provided to show the defects were corrected. In spite of this conflicting information and the possibility that some requirements were not tested or working as intended, the IRS deployed MeF Release 6.1 on February 17, 2010.
We identified six business rules that were not programmed into the
MeF system. Incorrect business rules
could result in taxpayers receiving credits and benefits to which they were not
entitled.
In this review we also analyzed system documentation prior
to the IRS accepting tax returns through the MeF system to determine if all of
the applicable business rules included in the Legacy e-File system were programmed for the MeF system. Our analysis identified six business rules
that were missing from the MeF system.
These rules affected the Individual Retirement Account deduction,
Additional Child Tax Credit, Education Credits, Earned Income Tax Credit, and capital
gains and losses. These missing business
rules could have resulted in taxpayers receiving tax credits and other benefits
to which they were not entitled and not receiving those to which they were. We notified the IRS that these criteria were
missing from the MeF system prior to it accepting tax return transmissions
through the system. Appendix V provides
a summary of the conditions we identified and reported to the IRS. The
IRS took action to correct two of the six conditions we identified and indicated
that the remaining four conditions were covered by existing MeF system processes
or business rules and did not require any additional action.
The IRS also identified
and addressed 22 additional errors or concerns and has provided guidance to the
stakeholder community to ensure the MeF system meets current and future
taxpayer needs. Although the IRS had
processes in place to monitor the implementation of the system, those processes
did not provide adequate testing of the accuracy of the tax return reject
process. The IRS did not have a
comprehensive plan in place that would provide an adequate evaluation of all
business rules being applied to tax returns submitted through the MeF system.
Adding individual
tax return processing for the MeF system required the IRS to create new processes.
Critical processes such as the accepting
and rejecting of tax returns were newly created and required extensive, complex
computer programming. The risk for error was extremely high and
required a detailed plan to extensively test and monitor the system’s
implementation. However, the IRS did not
have a well documented plan, and the steps it took to monitor the acceptance
and rejection of tax returns did not provide a comprehensive review of these
processes. For example, the IRS selected and reviewed a
statistically valid sample of 30 of each of the tax forms and schedules filed
through the MeF system beginning February 17, 2010. The IRS reviewed each of the sampled tax
forms and schedules to determine if the system was correctly accepting or
rejecting the tax returns based on the business rules pertaining to these forms
and schedules. The samples did not
ensure every business rule applicable to tax returns transmitted to the MeF
system was evaluated. The IRS is aware
that its statistical sampling process did not test all of the business rules
that applied to individual tax returns transmitted through the system.
In addition, the
IRS did not place enough emphasis on testing the tax return rejection
process. The IRS’ primary focus in its
statistical testing was to ensure tax returns were properly accepted for
processing; two-thirds of the samples for each tax form or schedule were accepted
tax returns. Almost all of the
conditions we identified related to the improper rejection of tax returns. As
of April 15, 2010, 133,481 (18 percent) of the 752,320 tax returns transmitted
to the MeF system were rejected.[12] These
tax returns were rejected for 1 or more of 202 business rules in place on April
15, 2010.[13]
Further reducing the IRS’ ability to receive timely input from tax return transmitters using the MeF system was that the IRS allowed them to subsequently transmit tax returns rejected by the MeF system through the Legacy e-File system. The IRS directed the transmitters to temporarily resubmit some rejected tax returns with specific conditions through the Legacy e-File system until errors in the MeF system could be corrected. Resubmitting tax returns through the Legacy e-File system in these instances allowed the IRS to timely accept and process affected tax returns and reduce the burden on the transmitters and the taxpayers. However, the IRS had no guidelines in place as to under what circumstances transmitters were to use the Legacy e-File system when a tax return was rejected. Allowing transmitters to use both e-file systems could result in the IRS not receiving real-time input from its stakeholders on potential concerns that may have resulted from the incorrect rejection of tax returns by the MeF system.
Lower than expected tax return transmissions limit the IRS’ ability to evaluate the performance of the MeF system
The IRS anticipated processing 9.3 million tax returns through its MeF system by April 15, 2010. However, the IRS only received 752,320 tax returns (8 percent). Due to the low volume of tax returns received through the MeF system, the IRS was not able to assess the capability of the system to handle large volumes of tax returns. Recognizing the challenges in implementing the MeF system for individual tax returns, the IRS developed a Volume Management Plan to manage the volume of individual tax returns and forms received through the MeF system. The MeF Release 6.1 included a plan to effectively manage the potentially large volume of individual tax returns to be processed. This plan incorporated a careful approach by limiting the volume of forms for processing in Calendar Year 2010 so that the IRS and tax return transmitters had an opportunity to observe system behavior and responses. Figure 2 shows the volume of individual tax returns the IRS estimated MeF Release 6.1 would be able to process during the periods specified based on agreements with transmitters.
Figure 2: MeF System Volumes for Individual Tax Returns[14]
|
Date |
Tax Return Volumes |
|
|
Estimated |
Actual |
|
|
February 17–28, 2010 |
1.4 million |
55,603 |
|
March 1–31, 2010 |
4.0 million |
319,184 |
|
April 1–15, 2010 |
3.9 million |
377,533 |
Source: IRS estimated volume
based upon adjusted Form 1040 volumes for Tax Year 2009 and
actual volume per IRS E-File Reports of actual tax return receipts for the 2010
Filing Season.
In addition, the Volume Management Plan expected 16 States and 33 tax return transmitters to participate. As of February 17, 2010, 10 States and 11 transmitters had met the requirements to participate in the MeF system. States and transmitters had to notify the IRS several months prior to the filing season that they would participate in the MeF system. Once approved by the IRS, the participant would have to successfully complete the IRS testing process that began on November 2, 2009. As of April 15, 2010, only 11 transmitters and 11 States participated in the MeF system.
As of April 15, 2010, only 11
States and 11 transmitters had participated, which contributed to lower than
expected tax return volumes.
IRS management indicated that the number of participants and the associated volume of tax return transmissions were low because participation in the MeF system was voluntary for the 2010 Filing Season. The IRS also indicated that budget cuts and the lagging economy may have impacted some States’ ability to complete the development of their systems in time to participate this filing season. For some participants, using the MeF system requires modifying their current e-file system or developing a new system to conform to the XML format.
We surveyed six tax return transmitters with varying levels of participation in the MeF system to determine what factors influenced their participation.[15] We received responses from four of the six transmitters we surveyed. Three of the four transmitters who responded were not participating on February 17, 2010, and indicated that concerns with the stability of the MeF system influenced their decision on whether to participate in using the system.
· Two transmitters chose not to participate until after April 15, 2010, because of concerns with the ability of the system to be continuously available to receive tax return transmissions and the need to complete internal system redesign.
· One transmitter began transmitting individual tax returns on February 18, 2010, but stopped using the system on April 11 because of concerns with the system’s ability to be continually available to receive tax return transmissions. The concern was that unavailability of the system at this critical time (filing season) could significantly delay the successful filing and processing of the clients’ tax returns.
When we discussed the lower than expected volumes with IRS management, they cautioned that their Volume Management Plan was intended to provide volume limits per tax return transmitter to maintain system performance and not to establish expected tax return receipts. IRS management agreed that they did not receive a sufficient individual tax return volume to effectively evaluate the performance of the MeF Release 6.1. They advised us that they will use the actual data collected to evaluate the MeF system’s capabilities with the hopes it can remain on schedule with its plans to fully implement the MeF system for individual tax returns.
Recommendations
The Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, should:
Recommendation 1: Establish processes to timely monitor the transmission and processing of individual tax returns as they are processed through the MeF system. These processes should include an analysis of available tax return processing data to identify trends that may indicate errors in the rejection or acceptance of tax returns. These processes should also include an analysis of the responses generated when a tax return is rejected to ensure the explanation provided is correct.
Management’s Response: The IRS agreed with this recommendation. For the 2010 Filing Season, it employed
several processes to validate the accuracy of individual tax return processing. For the 2011 Filing Season, the IRS plans to
use Business Objects (an enterprise reporting and analysis tool) in addition to
those processes used for the 2010 Filing Season to analyze available tax return
data to identify trends that may indicate errors in the rejection or acceptance
of tax returns and ensure the explanation provided for rejection of returns is
correct.
Recommendation 2: Work with tax return transmitters and the States to identify and address concerns and conditions that prevented them from participating in the MeF system and encourage them to participate in it during the 2011 Filing Season.
Management’s Response: The IRS agreed with
this recommendation. It has begun working
with tax return transmitters and States to identify and address concerns and
conditions that prevented them from participating in the MeF system and
encourage them to participate in the MeF system during the 2011 Filing
Season. It also plans to continue to
leverage existing external venues for the MeF system (i.e., 1040 MeF Executive
Council, 1040 MeF Working Group, and Federation of Tax Administrators) in
conjunction with MeF system products and services to maximize its partnership,
outreach, and customer service to external stakeholders.
Appendix I
Detailed Objective, Scope, and Methodology
The overall objective of this review was to determine whether e-filed individual income tax returns transmitted to the MeF system are processed timely and accurately in a manner consistent with tax returns processed by the Legacy e-File system. To accomplish this objective, we:
I. Determined whether the IRS properly planned for the deployment of the MeF system for individual income tax returns.
II. Determined whether the MeF system correctly rejected and accepted individual income tax returns during processing and whether the IRS ensured that accepted tax returns were processed timely and recorded accurately when compared with similar tax returns accepted under the Legacy e-File system during the 2010 Filing Season.[16]
A. Obtained the MeF system documentation needed to allow us, with the assistance of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration Information Technology function and the IRS, to obtain and analyze individual income tax returns processed by the MeF system during the 2010 Filing Season.
B. Obtained IRS test results from three separate IRS tests, referred to as “Hub Testing,” conducted in January and February 2010.
C. Obtained data extracts of rejected individual income tax returns and the associated business rule[17] reasons for those rejections at the earliest points possible in the MeF system process. We analyzed this data and judgmentally selected 195 tax returns from a population of 3,311 tax returns for which we reviewed the information stored on the IRS’ Integrated Data Retrieval System[18] to verify whether those returns were correctly rejected and proper explanations were provided to the taxpayers. We validated the reliability of our computer-processed data by comparing the data extracts with information from the IRS’ Integrated Data Retrieval System.
D. Obtained IRS statistics on volumes of rejected electronic tax returns for both the Legacy e-File and MeF systems and compared the volumes by business rule (MeF system) to the associated error reject code (Legacy e-File system). For any significant variance, we performed further analysis using data from the IRS’ Integrated Data Retrieval System and the IRS’ Return Request and Display System[19] to determine if the rejection process was properly functioning to ensure against returns being incorrectly accepted for processing.
E. Obtained the MeF system individual income tax return data that were accepted and processed from the weekly IRS Individual Return Transaction File[20] for all accepted and processed tax returns for the period February 17 through April 15, 2010. We utilized this data to determine that the MeF system was accepting only those tax forms and schedules prescribed for this filing season, that the accepted tax forms and schedules were correctly processed, and that IRS corrective actions to the issues we identified prior to the filing season (see Appendix V) were effective. In completing our analysis, we also reviewed judgmental samples of 100 tax returns from a population of 1,515 tax returns that met certain criteria. We validated the reliability of the IRS’ Individual Return Transaction File computer-processed data by comparison with the IRS’ Integrated Data Retrieval System and Return Request and Display System.
Internal controls methodology
Internal controls relate to management’s
plans, methods, and procedures used to meet their mission, goals, and
objectives. Internal controls include
the processes and procedures for planning, organizing, directing, and
controlling program operations. They
include the systems for measuring, reporting, and monitoring program
performance. We determined the following
internal controls were relevant to our audit objective: 1) the controls in place to ensure all of the
error reject codes included in the Legacy e-File
system were included in the MeF system and 2) controls in place to ensure tax
returns were properly accepted or rejected by the MeF system.
Appendix II
Major Contributors to This Report
Michael E. McKenney, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Returns
Processing and Account Services)
Russell P. Martin, Director
Deann L. Baiza, Audit Manager
John L. Hawkins, Lead Auditor
Sharon A. Buford, Senior Auditor
Bonnie G. Shanks, Senior Auditor
Linna K. Hung, Auditor
Appendix III
Commissioner C
Office of the Commissioner – Attn: Chief of Staff C
Deputy Commissioner for Operations Support OS
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement SE
Chief Technology Officer OS:CTO
Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division SE:W
Deputy Commissioner of Operations SE:W
Deputy Commissioner of Services SE:W
Associate Chief Information Officer, Applications Development OS:CTO:AD
Director, Electronic Tax Administration and Refundable Credits, Wage and Investment Division
SE:W:ETARC
Chief, Program Evaluation and Improvement, Wage and
Investment Division SE:W:S:PRA:
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:
Supervisor,
Modern Information Tech Services OS:CTO
Chief,
Program Evaluation and Improvement, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:S:PRA:
Appendix IV
Individual Tax Return Forms and Schedules Included for
Processing in
Modernized e-File Release 6.1 Deployment
Form 1040 –
Schedule A – Itemized Deductions
Schedule B – Interest and Ordinary Dividends
Schedule C – Profit or Loss From Business
Schedule D – Capital Gains and Losses
Schedule E – Supplemental Income and Loss
Schedule EIC – Earned Income Credit
Schedule M – Making Work Pay and Government Retiree Credits
Schedule R – Credit for the Elderly or the Disabled
Schedule SE – Self-Employment Tax
Form 1099-R – Distributions From Pensions, Annuities, Retirement or Profit-Sharing Plans, IRAs, Insurance Contracts, etc.
Form 2106 – Employee Business Expenses
Form 2210 – Underpayment of Estimated Tax by Individuals, Estates and Trusts
Form 2441 – Child and Dependent Care Expenses
Form 4562 – Depreciation and Amortization
Form 4868 –
Application of Automatic Extension of Time to File
Form 8283 – Noncash Charitable Contributions
Form 8812 – Additional Child Tax Credit
Form 8829 – Expenses for Business Use of Your Home
Form 8863 – Education Credits (American
Form 8880 – Credit for Qualified Retirement Savings Contributions
Form 8888 – Direct Deposit of Refund to More Than One Account
Form W-2 – Wage and Tax Statement
Appendix V
Modernized e-File Business Rule[21]
Issues Identified During Pre-Processing Testing[22]
|
Issue |
Date IRS Notified |
IRS Action Taken |
Audit Comment |
|
Making Work Pay Credit
claims will incorrectly reject if only one spouse has an Individual Taxpayer
Identification Number, but the other spouse has a valid SSN. |
10/15/2009 |
No Action Taken. The IRS did not
agree. It indicated that the current
programming and business rules addressed our concern. |
We do not agree that
this issue was corrected. We identified
the same issue occurring once the IRS began processing tax returns using the
MeF system. See Appendix VI. |
|
American Opportunity
Credit rules contain the wrong maximum credit limits, Adjusted Gross Income limits,
and qualifying child expense limits. |
11/9/2009 |
Action Taken.
The IRS had already
identified the issues with two of the business rules we identified and agreed
to the remaining issues. Revisions to
the remaining rules in question were completed on 2/1/2010. |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issues. |
|
The Earned Income Tax Credit
rule for individuals with no qualifying children incorrectly states the age
requirements to include taxpayers that are age 65. |
11/9/2009 |
Action Taken. Changes were
implemented in the 12/23/2009 release of the business rules. |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issue. |
|
A rule is missing to
deny an Individual Retirement Arrangement deduction for contributions made
for
age 70½ and older. |
12/1/2009 |
Action Taken. The rule was planned
but was scheduled for a later system release.
It was added to Version 2009v4.0 of the |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issue. |
|
The Child &
Dependent Care Credit rule does not include the exception to the 2-income
requirement when either the primary or secondary taxpayer has a date of
death. |
12/1/2009 |
Action Taken. Changes were scheduled
but were not made before 2/17/2010.
Interim procedures are to send these returns to Error Resolution. A new business rule was created and
included in the 2/23/2010 updates to the business rules. |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issue. |
|
The MeF system does not
address the reporting requirements for taxable interest & dividends on
Interest and Ordinary Dividends (Schedule B) for amounts less than $1,500. |
12/1/2009 |
Action Taken. Changes were scheduled
but were not made before 2/17/2010.
Interim procedures are to send these returns to Error Resolution. New business rules were added in the
2/23/2010 updates. |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issue. |
|
A rule is missing to
verify the amount of the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Deduction on Itemized
Deductions (Schedule A), line 7. |
1/26/2010 |
No Action Taken. The IRS did not agree and
indicated the MeF system does not need a separate rule since it is pulling
the Schedule A, |
We do not agree that
the actions taken corrected the issue.
We identified the same issue occurring once the IRS began processing
MeF system tax returns. See Appendix
VI. |
|
A rule is missing to
require the Additional Child Tax Credit Form (Form 8812) when the Additional
Child Tax Credit is claimed. |
1/26/2010 |
No Action Taken. The IRS responded that
the MeF system has a corresponding business rule. |
We agree that the IRS
did not have to take additional actions. |
|
A rule is missing to
require the Education Credits (American Opportunity, Hope and Lifetime
Learning Credits) (Form 8863) when education credits are claimed. |
1/26/2010 |
No Action Taken. The IRS responded that
the MeF system has a corresponding business rule. |
We agree that the IRS
did not have to take additional actions. |
|
A rule is missing to
require an amount on the U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (Form 1040), line
13 (capital gains and loss), if the Capital Gains and Losses (Schedule D) not
required indicator is checked. |
1/26/2010 |
No Action Taken. The IRS initially
agreed a change was needed. On
4/23/2010, it corrected its initial response, indicating the condition is
already addressed by a business rule. |
We agree that the IRS
did not have to take additional actions. |
|
The MeF system does not
include the variance for the check of total withholding on Form 1040, line
61, to the total withholding on all
Wage and Tax Statements
(Form W-2) and Information Reporting Documents
(Form 1099). |
1/26/2010 |
Action Taken. The applicable business
rule was revised in the 2/1/2010 updates to the business rules. |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issue. |
|
MeF system business
rules do not reflect the increased Adjusted Gross Income limits for the
Student Loan Deduction. |
1/26/2010 |
Action Taken. The IRS changed the Adjusted
Gross Income limits in the 2/1/2010 updates to the business rules. |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issue. |
|
The MeF system does not
require the taxpayer to provide both the name and SSN of a qualifying person
when filing as a Head of Household. |
1/26/2010 |
Action Taken. The applicable business
rule was revised in the 2/1/2010 updates. |
We agree that the
action taken should have corrected the issue; however, it resurfaced again
during the |
|
The MeF system does not
include the exception for the Earned Income Tax Credit qualifying child age
requirement when the qualifying child is permanently and totally disabled. |
1/26/2010 |
No Action Taken. The IRS responded that
the MeF system has already included this change in the implementation notes
for these rules. |
We agree that the IRS
did not have to take additional action.
|
|
The MeF system incorrectly
allows certain personal expenses claimed on Schedule A, line 28, Other
Miscellaneous Deductions. |
1/26/2010 |
No Action Taken. The IRS responded that
no additional business rule is needed and the disallowance of these personal
expenses is being handled correctly. |
We agree that the IRS
did not have to take additional action.
|
|
A rule is missing to
require an Information to Claim Earned Income Credit After Disallowance (Form
8862) on claims filed by taxpayers who need to show that they have been
recertified and are now eligible. |
2/9/2010 |
Action Taken. The IRS added a
business rule in the 3/5/2010 updates.
Interim procedures sent returns to Submission Processing Rejects. |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issue. |
|
The MeF system business
rule is incorrectly applied to tax returns when a taxpayer filing as Head of
Household provides the name and SSN of a qualifying child as required. |
2/16/2010 Issued as an alert on
1/26/2010. |
Action Taken The issues reported on
1/26/2010 are continuing and IRS actions taken on 2/1/2010 are not
functioning properly. The IRS had
already identified this issue and implemented additional changes on
2/17/2010. |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issue. |
Appendix VI
Modernized e-File Business Rule[23]
Issues Identified During Processing As of April 21, 2010[24]
|
Issue |
Date IRS Notified |
IRS Action Taken |
Audit Comment |
|
Tax returns are rejecting in error when the Making Work Pay Credit is claimed and one
spouse has an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. Per the eligibility requirements, these
taxpayers should receive the credit if one spouse has an Individual Taxpayer
Identification Number as long as one spouse has an SSN. |
2/17/2010 Issued as an alert in
planning. |
Action Taken. The IRS had already
identified this issue and updated the existing business rule on
2/15/2010. It created a new business
rule on 2/15/2010. Programming changes
were implemented on 2/17/2010. |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issue. |
|
Tax returns are
rejecting in error when a taxpayer with an Individual Taxpayer Identification
Number files a tax return with a Wage and Tax Statement
(Form W-2) that has an SSN. Generally,
an employee’s SSN on Form W-2 must match either the primary or the secondary
taxpayer’s SSN on the tax return.
However, the Legacy e-File
system provides an exception for a taxpayer who e-files with an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number even if
the Form W-2 was issued with an SSN. |
2/18/2010 |
Action Taken The IRS had already
identified this issue and implemented changes on 2/17/2010 prior to startup. |
We agree that the IRS
did not have to take additional actions. |
|
Tax returns are
rejecting in error when the total withholding on the U.S. Individual Income
Tax Form (Form 1040) is within $5 of the total withholding on all
Forms W-2 and Information Reporting Documents |
2/19/2010 Issued as an alert in
planning. |
No Action Taken The IRS did not
agree. It indicated that tax returns
with this condition are being correctly rejected. |
We agree that the IRS
did not have to take additional actions. |
|
Tax returns are
rejecting in error when there are multiple dependents identified on the Child
and Dependent Care Expenses (Form 2441) and the qualified expenses entered on
Form 2441, line 2(c), were not child-specific. |
2/24/2010 |
Action Taken. Changes were
implemented on 3/8/2010. |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issue. |
|
Tax returns are
rejecting in error when a taxpayer names the preparer as the third-party
designee by inserting “Preparer” instead of the preparer’s name on the
Third-Party Designee name line. |
2/25/2010 |
Action Taken. The IRS had already
identified the issue and implemented changes in 2/1/2010 updates to the
business rules. |
We agree that the IRS
did not have to take additional actions. |
|
The deduction amount
from the New Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Deduction worksheet on Itemized
Deductions (Schedule A) is not being captured by the MeF system. |
2/26/2010 Issued as an alert in
planning. |
Action Taken. Changes were
implemented on 3/7/2010. |
We agree that this
issue has been addressed with an interim solution to reduce the burden on IRS’
external partners during the filing season.
|
|
Incorrect reject rules
are generating when there is a dependent SSN/name control mismatch and the
business rule that requires the dependent SSN and name control to match the |
3/2/2010 |
Action Planned The IRS plans to make
changes for Release 6.2 for Processing Year 2011. These changes are complex and, as such, are
being deferred to a later release to mitigate the risk to this filing
season. An interim plan will be
implemented to mitigate the impact on taxpayers. |
Although the IRS is
taking interim steps to reduce the burden on taxpayers, we do not agree that
the issue has been resolved. The issue
will not be addressed until |
|
Tax returns are
rejecting in error when the taxpayer correctly provided the prior year Adjusted
Gross Income and/or Personal Identification Number as required for
electronically filed returns. |
3/2/2010 |
Action Planned The IRS plans to make
changes for Release 6.2 for Processing Year 2011. These changes are complex and, as such, are
being deferred to a later release to mitigate the risk to this filing
season. An interim plan will be
implemented to mitigate the impact on taxpayers. |
Although the IRS is
taking interim steps to reduce the burden on taxpayers, we do not agree that
the issue has been resolved. The issue
will not be addressed until |
|
Incorrect reject rules
are generating when there is a primary SSN/name control mismatch and the business
rule that requires the primary SSN and name control to match the e-file database generates. |
3/3/2010 |
Action Planned The IRS plans to make
changes for Release 6.2 for Processing Year 2011. These changes are complex and, as such, are
being deferred to a later release to mitigate the risk to this filing
season. An interim plan will be implemented
to mitigate the impact on taxpayers. |
Although the IRS is
taking interim steps to reduce the burden on taxpayers, we do not agree that
the issue has been resolved. The issue
will not be addressed until |
|
Incorrect reject rules
are generating when there is a secondary SSN/name control mismatch and the
business rule that requires the secondary SSN and name control to match the |
3/5/2010 |
Action Planned The IRS plans to make
changes for Release 6.2 for Processing Year 2011. These changes are complex and, as such, are
being deferred to a later release to mitigate the risk to this filing
season. An interim plan will be
implemented to mitigate the impact on taxpayers. |
Although the IRS is
taking interim steps to reduce the burden on taxpayers, we do not agree that
the issue has been resolved. The issue
will not be addressed until |
|
Incorrect reject rules
are generating when there is an employer name/Employer Identification Number
mismatch on Form W-2 and the business rule that requires the Employer
Identification Number to match the information in the e-file database generates.
We also noted a similar condition could exist with payer name/Employer
Identification Number mismatches on Form 1099-R and the business rule that
requires the Employer Identification Number to match the e-file database. |
3/5/2010 |
Action Planned The IRS plans to make
changes for Release 6.2 for Processing Year 2011. These changes are complex and, as such, are
being deferred to a later release to mitigate the risk to this filing
season. An interim plan will be
implemented to mitigate the impact on taxpayers. |
Although the IRS is
taking interim steps to reduce the burden on taxpayers, we do not agree that
the issue has been resolved. The issue
will not be addressed until |
|
Tax returns were
incorrectly rejecting because the primary taxpayer’s SSN had already been
used to file a tax return this year when the primary SSN had not been
previously used. |
3/5/2010 |
Action Taken. Changes were made on 3/28/2010. |
We agree that the
actions taken will correct the issue. |
|
Incorrect reject rules
are generating for the Making Work Pay Credit when there is a primary or secondary
SSN/name control mismatch and the applicable business rules are correctly
applied. |
3/12/2010 |
Action Planned The IRS plans to make
changes for Release 6.2 for Processing Year 2011. These changes are complex and, as such, are
being deferred to a later release to mitigate the risk to this filing
season. An interim plan will be
implemented to mitigate the impact on taxpayers. |
Although the IRS is
taking interim steps to reduce the burden on taxpayers, we do not agree that
the issue has been resolved. The issue
will not be addressed until |
|
Tax return information
from Interest and Ordinary Dividends (Schedule B) on accepted MeF system tax
returns is not being correctly recorded on the IRS’ Individual Return
Transaction File.[25] |
4/9/2010 |
Action Planned The IRS agreed and is
requesting that computer programming changes be made so that interest and
dividend amounts are properly recorded on the Individual Return Transaction
File. |
We agree that the
actions, when taken, will correct the issue. |
|
Tax returns are being
rejected without any business rule explanations appearing on the IRS’ Tax Return
Database.[26] |
4/21/2010 |
Action Planned The IRS agreed and will
be making changes during the week of May 10th to update a system
table that provides the data to other IRS systems for several new business
rules that have been added to the existing set of rules. |
We agree that these
actions will correct the issue. |
Appendix VII
Management’s Response to Draft Report
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
COMMISSIONER
WAGE AND
INVESTMENT DIVISION
August 6, 2010
MEMORANDUM FOR MICHAEL R. PHILLIPS
DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AUDIT
FROM: Richard Byrd Jr. /s/ Richard Byrd
Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division
SUBJECT” Draft
Audit Report - System Errors and Lower Than Expected Tax Return Volumes
Affected the Implementation of the Modernized e-File System for Individual Tax
Return Processing (Audit # 200940047)
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on
the draft audit report concerning the processing of Individual Tax Returns
through the Modernized e-File (MeF) system. Your report accurately describes:
•
The
strategic importance of MeF to increase e-file use through the benefits it
offers compared to the Legacy e-File system;
•
the
significant undertaking and complexities of developing and deploying the individual
tax return processing capabilities compared to business tax returns:
•
the
partnership and dependency with the tax return preparation/software industry and
States to migrate to MeF; and
•
the
challenges the IRS faced in the first phase deployment of the 1040 MeF program.
The challenges and types of processing errors
identified in your report were the kind of issues we anticipated. As your
report notes, we created a number of tools and processes to share information
and communicate system status and issues with the industry. Our top priority
was to ensure that accepted returns were processed accurately in a manner
consistent with Legacy e-File. Our analysis shows that they were.
Our second priority was to correct problems,
or to establish communications and workarounds to address erroneous rejects.
Using information identified during this audit, stakeholder engagement, and
through our operations and maintenance function, we took all appropriate and
necessary action to address issues as they were identified.
We agree with the two recommendations and
look forward to continued involvement by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration in the next phase of the 1040 MeF deployment.
Our specific comments to your recommendations
are attached. If you have any questions, please contact me, or a member of your
staff may contact David Williams, Director, Electronic Tax Administration and
Refundable Credits, Wage and Investment Division, at (202) 622-7990.
Attachment
Attachment
The Commissioner, Wage and Investment
Division, should:
RECOMMENDATION
1
Establish processes to timely monitor the
transmission and processing of individual tax returns as they are processed
through the MeF system. These processes should include an analysis of available
tax return processing data to identify trends that may indicate errors in the
rejection or acceptance of tax returns. These processes should also include an
analysis of the responses generated when a tax return is rejected to ensure the
explanation provided is correct.
CORRECTIVE
ACTION
We agree with this recommendation to
implement processes to timely monitor the processing of individual tax returns
as they are processed through the Modernized e-File (MeF) system. For the 2010
Filing Season, we employed several processes to validate the accuracy of
individual tax return processing. These processes included post- implementation
systemic testing (a.k.a. Hub Testing); a manual review of selected production tax
returns to identify any errors in rejected and accepted returns; and validation
of downstream return processing, including the Error Resolution System, Code
and Edit, payment processing and Master File posting.
For the 2011 Filing Season, in addition to
the aforementioned processes, we will use Business Objects (an enterprise
reporting and analysis tool) to analyze available return data to identify trends
that may indicate errors in the rejection or acceptance of tax returns, and
ensure the explanation provided is correct. These capabilities will enhance our
ability to select an optimal sample size of production returns to review, and
also enhance the effectiveness of the actual review of those returns, as well
as overall monitoring as tax returns are processed.
IMPLEMENTATION
DATE
February 15, 2011
RESPONSIBLE
OFFICIAL
Director, Electronic Tax Administration and
Refundable Credits, Wage and Investment Division
CORRECTIVE
ACTION MONITORING PLAN
We will monitor this corrective action as
part of our internal management control system.
RECOMMENDATION
2
Work with tax return transmitters and the
States to identify and address concerns and conditions that prevented them from
participating in the MeF system and encourage them to participate in it during
the 2011 Filing Season.
CORRECTIVE
ACTION
We agree with this recommendation. We have
begun working with tax return transmitters and States to identify and address
concerns and/or conditions that prevented them from participating in MeF and
encourage them to participate in MeF during the 2011 Filing Season. We will
continue to leverage existing external venues for MeF (i.e., 1040 MeF Executive
Council, 1040 MeF Working Group, and Federation of Tax Administrators) in
conjunction with MeF products and services to maximize our partnership, and
outreach and customer service to external stakeholders. Efforts are underway to
identify and implement system performance enhancements to ensure the MeF system
can process the anticipated volume of individual tax returns for the 2011 Filing
Season. Implementation of this recommendation will start August 15, 2010, and continue
through the 2012 filing season with a target completion of April 15, 2012.
IMPLEMENTATION
DATE
April 15, 2012
RESPONSIBLE
OFFICIAL
Director, Electronic Tax Administration and
Refundable Credits, Wage and Investment Division
CORRECTIVE
ACTION MONITORING PLAN
We will monitor this
corrective action as part of our internal management control system.
[1] Specific criteria tax returns must meet before they are accepted for processing.
[2] The period from January 1 through April 15 when most individual income tax returns are filed.
[3] Tax returns submitted through e-filing must meet an established set of requirements before being accepted for processing. Tax returns that do not meet one or more of these requirements are rejected back to the taxpayer for correction.
[4] The National Account Profile is a compilation of selected entity data from the IRS Master Files, which are the databases that store various taxpayer information. The National Account Profile includes all valid and invalid taxpayer entity information.
[5] The name control is the first four significant letters of a taxpayer’s last name that the IRS uses in connection with the taxpayer’s SSN to identify the taxpayer, spouse, and dependents.
[6] Pub. L. No. 111-92, 123 Stat. 2984 (2009).
[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] We selected these business rules for review based on the volume and concerns identified prior to the IRS accepting tax returns through the MeF system on February 17, 2010.
[9] Modernized e-File Will Enhance Processing of Electronically Filed Individual Tax Returns, but System Development and Security Need Improvement (Reference Number 2010-20-041, issued May 26, 2010).
[10] This report presents the customer and system requirements, including system security requirements, authentication requirements for transmitters, and capability to handle peak tax return transmissions.
[11] This plan should ensure that the test’s purpose is accomplished (the purpose of the test is to accept, integrate, and test system components received from development until the full system has been successfully built and all agreed-upon customer requirements are tested).
[12] A tax return may be submitted and rejected by the MeF system more than one time.
[13] A total of 419 business rules were programmed in the MeF system as of April 15, 2010. However, the tax returns transmitted as of April 15, 2010, only violated 202 of these rules. No tax return transmitted had conditions that violated one of the remaining 217 business rules.
[14] The estimated totals and actual volumes for the February, March, and April time periods do not include State income tax returns and Applications of Automatic Extension of Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return (Form 4868).
[15] We selected two tax return transmitters participating on February 17, 2010; two transmitters who began participating after February 17, 2010; and two transmitters who were not participating as of March 9, 2010.
[16] The period from January 1 through April 15 when most individual income tax returns are filed.
[17] Specific criteria tax returns must meet before they are accepted for processing.
[18] IRS computer system capable of retrieving or updating stored information. It works in conjunction with a taxpayer’s account records.
[19] The IRS’ Return Request and Display System displays specific tax return and status information for tax returns processed through the MeF tax system.
[20] The Return Transaction File contains all edited, transcribed, and error-corrected data from the Form 1040 series and related forms for the current processing year and 2 prior years.
[21] Specific criteria tax returns must meet before they are accepted for processing.
[22] A number of the conditions we identified involve errors with more than one MeF system business rule.
[23] Specific criteria tax returns must meet before they are accepted for processing.
[24] A number of the conditions we identified involve errors with more than one MeF system business rule.
[25] The Return Transaction File contains all edited, transcribed, and error-corrected data from the Form 1040 series and related forms for the current processing year and 2 prior years.
[26] The IRS’ Tax Return Database contains tax return source information for all electronically filed tax returns.