TIGTA has released a recent report titled Taxpayer Referrals of Suspected Tax Fraud Result in Tax Assessments, but Processing of the Referrals Could Be Improved (2/20/13), Reference Number: 2013-40-022,
here in pdf and here in
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Highlights
IMPACT ON TAXPAYERS
When individuals want to report possible instances of Federal tax fraud by a taxpayer, the IRS instructs them to complete and mail Form 3949-A, Information Referral, or to provide this information via a letter. During Fiscal Years 2010 through 2012, the Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE) and Wage Investment (W&I) Divisions received and screened 274,976 Forms 3949-A. During that same time period, examinations initiated from Form 3949-A referrals resulted in more than $66.5 million in tax assessments. However, TIGTA previously reported that the IRS misrouted referrals it sent to other functions. While corrective actions will reduce the number of referrals received by the SB/SE and W&I Divisions, both divisions can more efficiently and effectively process Forms 3949-A.
WHY TIGTA DID THE AUDIT
This audit was initiated in coordination with a previous TIGTA audit based on a TIGTA Office of Investigations referral that reported thousands of identity theft cases reported on Form 3949-A were not being processed.
WHAT TIGTA FOUND
TIGTA determined that both the SB/SE and W&I Division screeners improperly screened Forms 3949-A. While improvements to the processes and better communication with the Accounts Management function will reduce the number of referrals the divisions receive, other issues affect the screeners’ ability to research and identify referrals worthy of examination. Neither division has a routine review process to evaluate screened referrals not selected for examination. Routine checks of screened work would identify potential areas for improvement. In addition, the SB/SE Division does not have specific guidelines for screeners. More detailed guidelines would allow SB/SE Division screeners to be more consistent when evaluating referrals.
The SB/SE and W&I Divisions spent approximately $211,041 to screen the 102,465 Forms 3949-A received for Fiscal Year 2012 and assessed more than $29 million. The divisions should reevaluate the Form 3949-A program’s effectiveness once corrective actions are complete and determine how much of their limited resources they should devote to the program. Increased efficiency may make it more cost efficient for the divisions to place a higher priority on these referrals.
