National Research Program Audits of Individuals Are Closely Monitored, but the Quality of Tests for Unreported Income Is a Concern
September 15, 2011
Reference
Number: 2011-30-102
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 | 202-622-6500
Email Address | TIGTACommunications@tigta.treas.gov
Web Site |
http://www.tigta.gov
HIGHLIGHTS
NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAM AUDITS OF
INDIVIDUALS ARE CLOSELY MONITORED, BUT THE QUALITY OF TESTS FOR UNREPORTED
INCOME IS A CONCERN
Highlights
Final
Report issued on September 15, 2011
Highlights of Reference Number:
2011-30-102 to the Internal Revenue Service Commissioner for the Small
Business/Self-Employed Division and the Director, Office of Research, Analysis,
and Statistics.
IMPACT ON TAXPAYERS
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is conducting a
multiyear National Research Program (NRP) study to measure the reporting
compliance among individual taxpayers. The
IRS must ensure the data collected are as reliable as possible because the data
are used as planning tools for formulating strategies to meet the goals of
improving service and enforcing the tax laws so everyone meets their obligation
to pay taxes.
WHY TIGTA DID THE AUDIT
This
audit was initiated to determine whether the NRP is being properly implemented
and providing reliable results for making strategic planning decisions. The NRP is a unique program because it gives
the IRS the capability to make statistically reliable estimates of tax
reporting compliance nationwide from a relatively small sample of audits.
This,
in turn, provides data needed for measuring the difference between the taxes that taxpayers should pay and the
amount that is paid voluntarily and on time (Tax Gap), updating audit
selection and resource allocation systems, identifying ways to improve
voluntary compliance, and estimating the revenue from proposed legislative and
administrative changes.
WHAT TIGTA FOUND
Because
of its statistical validity, legislators and policy makers consider the NRP an
extremely important program, and IRS management reflected this priority
in the emphasis given to the current phase of individual audits. IRS management closely monitored the sampling
methodology and implementation schedule for NRP audits. As a result, the NRP is on track to begin
providing updated Tax Gap estimates by the end of Calendar Year 2011.
Although
the IRS was successful in implementing the NRP schedule, the tests for
unreported income during audits need to be improved. TIGTA evaluated a nonstatistical sample of
closed Tax Years 2006, 2007, and 2008 NRP audits (10 for each year) and
identified that the income reported on the return was not properly verified in
four of the 30 audits, which may have adversely affected the accuracy of the
audit results for each of the four audits by $10,000 or more. NRP quality reviewers found an even higher
percentage of audits (roughly 40 percent) in their nonstatistical samples for
which the income reflected on returns was not properly verified during NRP
audits conducted in Fiscal Years 2008, 2009, and 2010.
WHAT TIGTA RECOMMENDED
TIGTA has
already made recommendations in prior reports to strengthen the weaknesses identified
in the tests for unreported income during audits. The SB/SE Division has responded with improvement
efforts that are currently underway to address these weaknesses. Consequently, TIGTA is not making any
additional recommendations at this time.
Although TIGTA made
no recommendations in this report, IRS officials were provided an opportunity
to review the draft report. IRS
management did not provide any report comments.
September 15, 2011
MEMORANDUM FOR COMMISSIONER, SMALL BUSINESS/SELF-EMPLOYED DIVISION
DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF RESEARCH, ANALYSIS, AND STATISTICS
FROM: (for) Michael R. Phillips /s/ Margaret E. Begg
Deputy Inspector General for Audit
SUBJECT: Final Audit Report –National Research Program Audits of Individuals Are Closely Monitored, but the Quality of Tests for Unreported Income Is a Concern (Audit # 201030011)
This report presents the results of our review to determine whether the National Research Program Individual Reporting Compliance Study is being properly implemented and providing reliable results for making strategic planning decisions. This review was part of our Fiscal Year 2010 Annual Audit Plan and addresses the major management challenge of Tax Compliance Initiatives.
Although we made no recommendations in this report, we did provide Internal Revenue Service (IRS) officials an opportunity to review the draft report. IRS management did not provide us with any report comments.
Copies of this report are also being sent to the IRS managers affected by the report.
Please contact me at (202) 622-6510 if you have questions or Margaret E. Begg, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Compliance and Enforcement Operations), at (202) 622-8510.
Appendices
Appendix
I – Detailed Objectives, Scope, and Methodology
Appendix
II – Major Contributors to This Report
Appendix
III – Report Distribution List
Abbreviations
|
FY |
Fiscal Year |
|
IRS |
Internal Revenue Service |
|
NQRS |
National Quality Review System |
|
NRP |
National Research Program |
|
SB/SE |
Small Business/Self-Employed |
|
TIGTA TY |
Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration Tax Year |
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has two strategic goals.
The first is to improve service to make
voluntary compliance easier, and the second is to enforce the laws to ensure
that everyone meets their obligations to pay taxes. To achieve its goals, the IRS depends on
voluntary compliance, which relies on individual citizens to report their
income freely and voluntarily, calculate their tax liability correctly, and
file a tax return on time. There are
three primary measures of voluntary compliance:
In Fiscal Year (FY) 2000, the IRS established the National
Research Program (NRP)[1] Office and charged it with addressing voluntary compliance
in these three areas. The NRP Office
completed its first reporting compliance study of taxpayers who file U.S.
Individual Income Tax Returns (Form 1040) using information from Tax Year (TY)[2] 2001. The results
of this study were used to help the IRS estimate the Tax Gap, which is the
difference between the total taxes that taxpayers should have paid and the
total taxes that were actually paid timely.
The IRS estimated the yearly gross Tax Gap at approximately $345
billion. Within the gross Tax Gap, late
filing and nonfiling of tax returns accounted for about $27 billion and
underpayment of reported taxes accounted for approximately $34 billion. The remaining $284 billion (approximate) was
due to improper reporting, and the vast majority of that improper reporting
came from individual taxpayers.
The IRS selects the majority of tax returns for audit based
on the data obtained from the TY 2001 NRP study. That study involved examining a sample of
about 46,000 tax returns and strained the IRS’s examination work plan for that
year. Working NRP study examinations all
in 1 year used IRS resources that would have normally been used to work higher
productive cases.
Recognizing the need for more current information and
balancing that need with performing its annual examination work plan, the NRP
Office initiated a new Individual Reporting Compliance Study (hereafter
referred to as the NRP study or the study), beginning in October 2007. The methodology for this study lessens the
impact on the annual examination work plan because it spreads out the NRP study
examinations over 3 consecutive years.
The new study also calls for collecting data every year for the
foreseeable future, which should allow the information to be more current and
updated regularly.
The current NRP study was designed to use random samples of
about 13,200 Forms 1040 for 3 consecutive years. The samples are intended to be representative
of the individual taxpayer populations. The
examinations that began in October 2007 were comprised of TY 2006 returns. The IRS continued the similar methodology the
following year to examine a comparable sample of TY 2007 returns. When data from the third year of the study (TY
2008) are ready for analysis, the resulting estimates, based on combined data
for all 3 tax years, should have a statistical precision comparable to that of
the TY 2001 study. This methodology will
also allow the IRS to update compliance estimates and workload identification
models annually.
The NRP study audit process can be more detailed than the
regular enforcement audit process and place greater burden on examiners. As part of the audit, examiners must respond
to a comprehensive set of NRP study research questions about the taxpayer. The questions are designed to capture the various
characteristics of the taxpayer. NRP study
audits also require additional oversight by managers at the national, area, and
local levels.
At the national level, the NRP study is coordinated by the
IRS’s Office of Research, Analysis, and Statistics. At the Area Office level, an NRP Area
Territory Manager is the key contact point and oversees the quality of the
examinations. In addition, an NRP
Coordinator (appointed by Planning and Special Programs management) assists
with planning and monitoring NRP study audits. At the local level, each NRP study audit must
be reviewed and approved by the group manager.
Thereafter, the examinations may be selected for review by the Area Office
NRP Quality Review Team and the staff of the National Quality Review System
(NQRS).
This review was performed at the Office of Research, Analysis, and Statistics in Washington, D.C., and the Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) Division Headquarters Office in New Carrollton, Maryland, during the period August 2010 through April 2011. 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 objectives. We believe that the evidence obtained provides a reasonable basis for our findings and conclusions based on our audit objectives. Detailed information on our audit objectives, scope, and methodology is presented in Appendix I. Major contributors to the report are listed in Appendix II.
The NRP is an extremely important program, and IRS management reflected this priority in the emphasis given to the first series of individual audits using the 3-year rolling methodology.[3] All levels of IRS management closely coordinated efforts in monitoring the implementation of the NRP study schedule. As a result, the program is on track to issue the preliminary updated Tax Gap estimates, based on TYs 2006 and 2007 examination results, at the end of Calendar Year 2011. The final Tax Gap estimate, based on TYs 2006 through 2008 examination results, is planned for May 2012. The new workload selection and resources allocation systems will go into effect in Calendar Year 2013.
Although the IRS was
very successful in implementing the NRP study schedule, the quality of tests
for unreported income during audits needs to be improved. Both the Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration (TIGTA) and the IRS have identified quality concerns with income
testing that may be adversely affecting the accuracy of NRP study audit
results.
The Sampling Methodology and Implementation Schedule for National
Research Program Study Audits Were Closely Monitored
The NRP is a unique program because it gives the IRS the capability to make statistically reliable estimates of tax reporting compliance nationwide from a relatively small sample of audits. This, in turn, provides data needed for measuring the Tax Gap, updating audit selection and resource allocation systems, identifying ways to improve voluntary compliance, and estimating the revenue from proposed legislative and administrative changes. Legislators and policy makers consider the NRP an extremely important program because of its statistical validity. For example, in June 2009,[4] we reported that the IRS had taken the extra steps of contracting with an outside research firm to evaluate the planned methodology for the NRP. The firm concluded the 3-year sampling methodology developed by IRS statisticians was appropriate for providing estimates of reporting compliance and the data needed to update computer formulas for selecting returns for audits. We also reported, using a statistician who independently verified that the sample size was sufficient to measure the statistical reliability of results, the related formulas and calculations were accurate and consistent, and a multiyear strategy is an acceptable approach for performing the study. Additionally, we found that examiners had received the nationally developed NRP study training for conducting individual audits.
Overall,
the NRP study sample includes about 42,637 returns and is designed to be
representative of the population from about 424 million individual returns
filed for TYs 2006 through 2008. The success of
any project of this magnitude and importance hinges on effective planning and
monitoring. During this NRP study review,
we found that IRS management at all levels closely coordinated efforts in
monitoring the progress of the NRP study schedule.
Figure
1 summarizes our evaluation of the NRP study audit workload and shows that
after the 42,637 sample cases were selected, the tax returns were timely retrieved
from IRS files and forwarded to the IRS Cincinnati Campus.[5] The personnel in the Austin Campus also
promptly initiated the case building process.[6] The tax return and case building information was
packaged into NRP study cases at the Cincinnati Campus, where classification by
technically proficient and experienced revenue agents[7] and tax
compliance officers[8] also took place. Based on their review of the tax returns and
the case building information, the classifiers determined which returns would
be audited and which could be accepted as filed. For the returns that were selected for audit,
the case files were sent to the IRS Area Offices[9] or Cincinnati
Campus Correspondence function for audit initiation.
Figure 1: Key Milestones for NRP Study Audits
|
Key Milestone |
Planned Start |
Actual Start |
Status as of March 31, 2011 |
|
|
TY 2006 Cases |
||||
|
Locate Cases |
February
2007 |
February
2007 |
Forty-nine audits
remain to be completed of 12,379 returns selected for examination. The IRS is analyzing and perfecting the examination
data collected. The total sample was
13,402 cases, which included 1,023 returns the Classification function accepted
as filed. |
|
|
Case Build |
March
2007 |
March
2007 |
||
|
Classification[10] |
July
2007 |
July
2007 |
||
|
Start Audits |
October
2007 |
October
2007 |
||
|
TY 2007 Cases |
||||
|
Locate Cases |
February
2008 |
February
2008 |
Three hundred
fifty-nine audits remain to be completed of 13,115 returns selected for
examination. The IRS is analyzing and
perfecting the examination data collected. The total sample was
14,560 cases, which included 1,445 returns the Classification function accepted
as filed. |
|
|
Case Build |
March
2008 |
March
2008 |
||
|
Classification |
July
2008 |
July
2008 |
||
|
Start Audits |
October
2008 |
October
2008 |
||
|
TY 2008 Cases |
||||
|
Locate Cases |
February
2009 |
February
2009 |
Approximately 6,383
audits remain to The total sample was
14,675 cases, which included 899 returns the Classification function accepted
as filed. |
|
|
Case Build |
March
2009 |
March
2009 |
||
|
Classification |
July
2009 |
July
2009 |
||
|
Start Audits |
October
2009 |
October
2009 |
||
Source: NRP officials.
While we only reviewed workload and inventory management through the audit initiation phase, we concluded that controls had been effectively implemented to ensure NRP study audits are receiving the proper attention. Besides effectively implementing workload and inventory controls, quality controls were implemented over NRP study audits that are more extensive than the quality controls over regular audits.
Unlike
regular audits, a nonstatistical sample of closed NRP
study audits are evaluated by Area Office NRP study quality reviewers using the NQRS to document their reviews. The purpose of NQRS reviews is to collect information about audit quality and
communicate areas of concern to management for corrective action, if
needed. To define audit quality, the NRP
study uses 10 quality attributes (see Appendix IV for details on the
quality attributes and their definitions).
At the local level,
group managers have the primary responsibility for ensuring the examiners they
supervise conduct quality NRP study audits.
To assist group managers in meeting this responsibility, NRP study guidelines
require that group managers evaluate at least one open and one closed NRP study
audit for each examiner they supervise as part of the examiner’s performance
evaluation. Guidelines also require
group managers assess the overall quality of every NRP study audit before the
IRS closes the case. The foremost
reasons for the reviews are to reinforce the importance of adhering to
the audit quality attributes, as well as to pinpoint and correct performance
and quality gaps.
The Quality of Tests for Unreported Income Conducted During National
Research Program Study Audits Needs Improvement
We evaluated a nonstatistical sample of 10 closed NRP study audits from each TY (2006 through 2008) and identified that for 4 of the 30 audits the income reported on the return was not properly verified. This condition may have adversely affected the accuracy of the audit results for each of the 4 audits by $10,000 or more. In conducting our reviews, we obtained estimates of personal living expenses published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that are also used by the IRS. We used the estimated Bureau of Labor Statistics personal living expenses along with available information in the audit documentation to do a cash transaction (Cash T) analysis for our sample cases. We found that 4 audits were closed without addressing the reason business expenditures and other items deducted on the returns, when combined with estimated personal living expenses of the taxpayers, exceeded the income reported by more than $10,000. In 3 of the 4 audits, the estimated expenses exceeded the income on the return by more than $35,000. The considerable differences noted between expenditures and income raise serious questions about whether there were additional sources of income that should have been reported on the returns or if expenses were overstated.
To determine whether this quality problem was more widespread, we evaluated the quality results reported by the Area Office NRP study quality reviewers. As summarized in Figure 2, in their nonstatistical samples, the Area Office NRP study quality reviewers found an even higher percentage of cases (roughly 40 percent) where the income reported on returns was not properly verified during NRP study audits conducted in FYs 2008, 2009, and 2010. IRS officials told us that failing the income determination standards does not mean there is unreported income. It could mean the case file was not properly documented or audit steps were not performed in accordance with established guidelines. Nevertheless, without proper documentation or the completion of necessary audit steps, the examiners have not verified the accuracy of the income reported.
Figure 2: Percentage of NRP Study Cases
for Which Income Determination Standards Were Not Met
|
Report Period |
Percentage of Revenue Agent Audits |
Percentage of |
|
FY
2008 |
34% |
40% |
|
FY
2009 |
47% |
46% |
|
FY
2010 |
38% |
39% |
Source: IRS NQRS Quality Attribute Accuracy Reports for FYs 2008 - 2010.
Although Area Office NRP quality reviewers did not always quantify the potential dollar effect for the problems they identify when reviewing NRP study audits, they did complete narrative comments that described their findings for the cases reviewed and provided feedback within their areas on the trends identified in their reviews. As the following excerpts from some of their comments between March 15, 2010, and May 30, 2010, indicate, properly verifying income during NRP study audits is a concern nationwide.
According to IRS officials, the reviewers
are instructed to focus on what steps in the minimum income probe were not
properly completed. Reviewers do not
document information on income probes that were correctly completed due to time
constraints when reviewing the cases. As
a result, the narratives may not be balanced since they focus solely on what
audit step(s) were not properly completed.
In considering the significance of the quality problems identified, it is important to recognize that there are a number of legitimate reasons a taxpayer’s cash expenditures may exceed the income reported on his/her return. For example, some individuals may have received loan proceeds or are receiving financial help from relatives or friends. Still others may be paying their expenses from savings accumulated in previous years. However, without additional testing, the IRS does not know if the understatement shown on the preliminary Cash T analysis represents underreported income or overstated expenses that could result in additional taxes, penalties, and interest.
We believe it is equally important to recognize that the quality problems detected in NRP study audits raise questions about the overall quality of the tests for unreported income during audits in the SB/SE Division. If NRP study audits are among the most important and closely scrutinized audits and have quality problems with tests for unreported income, it is reasonable to assume that the thousands of enforcement audits conducted daily have similar problems.
In February 2010, the TIGTA reported[11] finding 93 correspondence audits for which business expenditures and other items deducted on the return, when combined with estimated personal living expenses, exceeded the income on the return by more than $10,000. In 15 of the 93 audits, the expenses exceeded the income on the return by more than $50,000. These audits were identified from a statistically valid sample of 298 closed correspondence audits of individual returns reporting sole proprietorship operations.
In
a subsequent audit, the TIGTA reported[12] finding 30 audits for which sole
proprietors may have avoided tax and interest assessments totaling $289,251
because of quality problems with the preliminary Cash T analyses. The 30 audits were identified from a
statistical sample of 227 audits closed by field examiners. When the review results from the 30 audits were
projected to the population of 6,438 closed audits from which the sample was
selected, the TIGTA estimated, and the Commissioner, SB/SE Division, agreed,
that 851 sole proprietors may have avoided tax and interest assessments of
approximately $8.2 million in 1 tax year.
The SB/SE Division is taking steps to better
hold group managers and examiners accountable for the quality of income testing
during audits
The
TIGTA made recommendations in our prior reports to strengthen the weaknesses
identified in the tests for unreported income during audits. The SB/SE Division responded with improvement
efforts that are currently underway and include taking better advantage of
performance feedback and other mechanisms in the IRS performance management
system to help ensure income is properly verified during audits, including
those conducted under the NRP.
Consequently, the TIGTA is not making any additional recommendations at
this time.
For
example, the Director, Examination, SB/SE Division, issued written instructions
on how group managers can enhance the performance feedback they provide to
examiners on the adequacy of tests for unreported income. Enhancing performance feedback is important
because, as the TIGTA has previously reported,[13] it can be a very effective tool
in helping personnel understand and meet their responsibilities. It also provides opportunities to give
meaningful and constructive performance feedback, pinpoint and address
performance gaps, and hold personnel accountable for following management
directives and delivering results. The
SB/SE Division additionally formed the Examination Process Improvement
Challenge team to develop solutions to address income probe deficiencies. For example, this team published articles devoted
to examination of income and minimum income probes in the SB/SE Division’s
newsletter.
To its credit, the
SB/SE Division also recognized the need to hold group managers more accountable
for improving the quality of the tests performed for unreported income and
began establishing a related commitment in their FY 2011 performance agreements,
which indicates an effort on
behalf of SB/SE Examination to improve the quality of income probes.
The commitments are
intended to be tailored to individual developmental needs and provide the basis
for linking group manager critical
job responsibilities with IRS balanced measures and strategic goals and holding
group managers accountable for their individual and group performances. The commitments should also, according to the
IRS, be clear, specific, and easily monitored and should include a numeric
target or some other means of measurement.
Structuring each commitment so it contains these features enhances the
ability of Territory managers to hold group managers responsible for meeting these
expectations.
As outlined below,
the FY 2011 performance agreements for 10 of the group managers who were
associated with the closed NRP study audits we reviewed contained commitments
related to improving tests for unreported income similar to 1 of the following 4
examples.
1.
I
will improve overall case quality and EQ[14]
Attribute 300 (Income Determination) as measured by NQRS by developing and
implementing actions that will improve income probes and discussing and providing
guidance on specific EQ attributes on a monthly basis …. Success will be measured based on … written feedback
on EQ Attribute 300 (Income Determination).
2.
I
will improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of income probes …. I will deliver tools and training to examiners
supporting income examination techniques. … Success
will be measured by supporting and contributing to improvement in overall
quality scores with emphasis and focus on NQ Attribute 300 (Income
Determination).
3.
I
will take proactive steps to improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency
of income probes …. I
will take proactive steps to improve quality measured by Attribute 300 (Income
Determination), by focusing on this attribute during my reviews and by
providing additional training to group members, as warranted …. Success will be measured by supporting a 5
[percent] Area Improvement in NQ Attribute 300 (Income Determinations) and an
improvement in overall quality scores.
4.
I
will improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of income probes …. I will deliver tools and training to examiners
supporting income examination techniques. … Success will be measured by supporting an
improvement in overall Area quality scores; and delivering improvement in NQ
Attribute 300 (Income Determination) by providing tools and training through
Income Determination Workshops and discussions at the group level.
Because we did not perform an in-depth review
of group manager commitments, we do not have a basis for recommending specific
changes to how the commitments were developed, were established, and will be ultimately
rated. However, we did conduct a cursory
review of the commitments listed above and have some observations that SB/SE
Division officials may find useful in their continuing efforts to improve the
quality of tests for unreported income.
Specifically, we believe that while each of the
above commitments is a worthwhile goal, the first three commitments have some
shortcomings that could make it difficult to judge whether the individual group
manager met the commitment because the statements are either vague about how
success will be measured (commitment number 1) or what specifically the group
manager intends to do (commitment
numbers 2 and 3). By comparison,
commitment number 4 specifically indicates the type of tools and training that
will be delivered to improve income probes and the potential impact of
delivering the specified tools and training.
A mid-level manager could monitor whether this group manager provided
the tools and training and held discussions as promised. A mid-level manager may be able to also use
statistics in assessing whether the tools, training, and discussions had the
intended impact.
Appendix I
Detailed Objectives, Scope, and Methodology
The overall objectives of this review were to determine whether the NRP Individual Reporting Compliance Study is being properly implemented and providing reliable results for making strategic planning decisions. Unless otherwise noted, our limited tests of the reliability of data obtained from NRP inventory tracking system did not identify any errors. We tested the reliability of the data by scanning the data received for blank, incomplete, illogical, or improper data. In addition, we traced a judgmental sample from TYs[15] 2006 through 2008 data sets to the source IRS files to ensure accuracy. To accomplish the objectives, we:
I. Reviewed source material to gain an understanding of the NRP and rules, procedures, and processes used for the study. These sources included the Internal Revenue Manual and NRP training modules.
II. Interviewed NRP management to assist in identifying and evaluating the procedures and process used to implement the sampling methodology.
III. Analyzed the TYs 2006 through 2008 tax returns selected for the NRP study. We compared the sampling implementation to the sampling plan and consulted the TIGTA’s contracted statistician regarding the impact that deviations of the number of tax returns in the planned sampling strata have on the statistical validity of the results.
IV. Evaluated the quality of NRP study examinations and determined if quality controls were established and properly followed by reviewing a judgmental sample of 10 examination cases from each of TYs 2006 through 2008. We judgmentally selected the 30 cases because, due to time constraints, we wanted to probe if there are significant problems.
A. For TY 2006, selected the sample from the 12,478 examinations that were closed as of May 2010.
B. For TYs 2007 and 2008, selected the sample from the population of NRP study tax returns with Profit of Loss From Business (Schedule C) or Supplemental Income and Loss (Schedule E), income less than $200,000,[16] and examinations closed during the period FY 2008 through the third quarter of FY 2010. The TYs 2007 and 2008 population sizes were 3,052 and 271 cases, respectively.
V. Analyzed the results from the FYs 2008 through 2010 Area Office NRP quality reviews of closed examinations.
VI. Determined the effect of poor quality examination of income issues by reviewing a sample of 23 cases from the 78 cases that the FY 2010 third Quarter Area Office NRP quality review identified as not meeting income determination standards. We judgmentally selected the 23 taxpayers because, due to time constraints, we wanted to focus on situations where the IRS quality review narrative comments provided specific examples.
VII. Reviewed the FYs 2010 and 2011 group manager performance agreements for 10 managers involved in the 23 cases reviewed to assess the opportunities that may exist to improve accountability of the IRS’s expectations for the quality of the audits under their supervision.
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 objectives: the NRP’s policies, procedures, and practices
for selecting and examining individual tax returns and its quality review of
examination results. We evaluated these
controls by reviewing source material, interviewing management, and reviewing a
judgmental sample of NRP study examinations and Area Office NRP quality review
results.
Appendix II
Major Contributors to This Report
Margaret
E. Begg, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Compliance and Enforcement Operations)
Frank
Dunleavy, Director
Alan
Lund, Audit Manager
Steven
Stephens, Audit Manager
Julia
Tai, Lead Auditor
Stanley
Pinkston, Senior Auditor
William
Tran, Senior Auditor
Appendix III
Commissioner C
Office of the Commissioner – Attn: Chief of Staff C
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement SE
Deputy Commissioner, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S
Director, National Research Program RAS:NRP
Director, Examination, Small Business/Self-Employed Division SE:S:E
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
Director, Office of Research, Analysis, and Statistics RAS
Appendix IV
Summary of Quality Attributes Considered
During Area Office National Research Program
Quality Review of Examinations
|
Attribute Group |
Attributes |
Issues Considered by Quality Reviewers |
|
Planning |
Information Document
Requests |
Did the examiner
prepare appropriate information document requests? |
|
Prior, Subsequent Year,
and Related Returns |
Did the examiner
consider the prior, subsequent, and related tax returns in the audit when
warranted? |
|
|
Income Determination |
Exam Income
Determination |
Did the examiner use appropriate
techniques to determine income and properly consider the applicable tax law? |
|
Investigative and Audit Techniques |
Audit Compliance
Interview |
Did interviews with
taxpayers, representatives, and third parties provide a clear understanding
of the taxpayer and his/her income-producing activities? |
|
Interpreted and Applied
Tax Law Correctly |
Did the examiner
interpret and apply the tax law correctly? |
|
|
Civil Penalty
Determination |
Did the examiner appropriately consider
and compute applicable civil penalties? |
|
|
Timeliness |
Time Spent on
Examination |
Was the time spent on
the examination appropriate considering the complexity of the issues? |
|
Customer Relations and Professionalism |
Taxpayer Rights |
Did the examiner advise
the taxpayer or representative on all rights? |
|
Documentation |
Workpapers Support
Conclusion |
Did the examination workpapers
support the conclusion? |
|
Report Writing |
Were report writing
procedures followed? |
Source:
Internal Revenue Manual and discussions with IRS SB/SE Division Examination
function officials.
[1] The NRP Office is responsible for determining filing, payment, and reporting compliance by taxpayers for different types of taxes.
[2] A 12-month accounting period for keeping records on income and expenses used as the basis for calculating the annual taxes due. For most individual taxpayers, the tax year is synonymous with the calendar year.
[3] An individual reporting compliance study will be conducted every year, and the 3 most recent tax years will be combined to achieve optimal statistical precision. For example, when the TY 2009 study is completed, the results from TYs 2007–2009 will be combined (TY 2006 will be dropped off) to arrive at the new individual reporting compliance measures.
[4] An Appropriate Methodology Has Been Developed for Conducting the National Research Program Study to Measure the Voluntary Compliance of Individual Income Taxpayers (Reference Number 2009-30-086, dated June 17, 2009).
[5] 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.
[6] Case building is the process of adding information from IRS sources to the case file prior to classification.
[7] Revenue agents conduct independent onsite examinations of income tax returns that cover a diverse spectrum of individual and business taxpayers using a wide range of financial and other investigative skills.
[8] Tax compliance officers plan and conduct examinations that are conducive to being performed in an office setting.
[9] An Area Office is a geographic organizational level used by IRS business units and offices to help their specific types of taxpayers understand and comply with tax laws and issues.
[10] The NRP Office conducts four 2-week classification sessions each year. The first session occurs during the last week in July or the first week of August, and the final session takes place the following March.
[11] Significant Tax Issues Are Often Not Addressed During Correspondence Audits of Sole Proprietors (Reference Number 2010-30-024, dated February 24, 2010).
[12] Tests for Unreported Income During Sole Proprietor Field Audits Can Be Strengthened (Reference Number 2010-30-105, dated September 9, 2010).
[13] Performance Management in the Large and Mid-Size Business Division’s Industry Case Program Needs Strengthening (Reference Number 2005-30-084, dated May 27, 2005).
[14] EQ and NQ are referring to the examination quality attributes in the NQRS.
[15] A 12-month accounting period for keeping records on income and expenses used as the basis for calculating the annual taxes due. For most individual taxpayers, the tax year is synonymous with the calendar year.
[16] We used Activity Codes 271 and 274-277, which represent U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns with total positive income less than $200,000.