2008 Nissan Altima Certified as Qualified Hybrid Vehicle
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service has acknowledged the certification by Nissan North America, Inc., that its 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid vehicle meets the requirements of the Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit as a qualified hybrid motor vehicle.
The credit amount for the hybrid vehicle certification of the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid is $2,350.
The announcement comes after the IRS concluded its quarterly review of the number of hybrid vehicles sold. Nissan sold 2,627 qualifying vehicles to retail dealers in the quarter ending Sept. 30, 2007. This brings the total number of qualified hybrid vehicles sold to 7,849.
Original owners may claim the full amount of the allowable credit up to the end of the first calendar quarter after the quarter in which the manufacturer records its sale of the 60,000th vehicle. For the second and third calendar quarters after the quarter in which the 60,000th vehicle is sold, taxpayers may claim 50 percent of the credit. For the fourth and fifth calendar quarters, taxpayers may claim 25 percent of the credit. No credit is allowed after the fifth quarter.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Friday, November 9, 2007
IR-2007-187: Plan Now to Get Full Benefit of Saver’s Credit; Tax Break Helps Low- and Moderate-Income Workers Save for Retirement
Plan Now to Get Full Benefit of Saver’s Credit; Tax Break Helps Low- and Moderate-Income Workers Save for Retirement
WASHINGTON — Low- and moderate-income workers can take steps now to save for retirement and earn a special tax credit in 2007 and the years ahead, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
The saver’s credit helps offset part of the first $2,000 workers voluntarily contribute to IRAs and to 401(k) plans and similar workplace retirement programs. Formally known as the retirement savings contributions credit, the saver’s credit is available in addition to any other tax savings that apply.
“We want low- and moderate-income workers to know about this valuable credit so they can effectively plan ahead and take full advantage of it,” said Richard J. Morgante, commissioner of the Wage and Investment Division of the IRS. “Now that a growing number of employers are automatically enrolling their employees in 401(k) plans, the saver’s credit offers many workers who save for retirement an added bonus.”
Eligible workers still have time to make qualifying retirement contributions and get the saver’s credit on their 2007 tax return. People have until April 15, 2008, to set up a new individual retirement arrangement or add money to an existing IRA and still get credit for 2007. However, elective deferrals must be made by the end of the year to a 401(k) plan or similar workplace program, such as a 403(b) plan for employees of public schools and certain tax-exempt organizations, a governmental 457 plan for state or local government employees, and the Thrift Savings Plan for federal employees. Employees who are unable to set aside money for this year may want to schedule their 2008 contributions soon so their employer can begin withholding them in January.
The saver’s credit can be claimed by:
* Married couples filing jointly with incomes up to $52,000 in 2007 or $53,000 in 2008;
* Heads of Household with incomes up to $39,000 in 2007 or $39,750 in 2008; and
* Married individuals filing separately and singles with incomes up to $26,000 in 2007 or $26,500 in 2008.
Like other tax credits, the saver’s credit can increase a taxpayer’s refund or reduce the tax owed. Though the maximum saver’s credit is $1,000, $2,000 for married couples, the IRS cautioned that it is often much less and, due in part to the impact of other deductions and credits, may, in fact, be zero for some taxpayers.
A taxpayer’s credit amount is based on his or her filing status, adjusted gross income, tax liability and amount contributed to qualifying retirement programs. Form 8880 is used to claim the saver’s credit, and its instructions have details on figuring the credit correctly.
In 2005, the most recent year for which complete figures are available, saver’s credits totaling more than $900 million were claimed on nearly 5.3 million individual income tax returns. Saver’s credits claimed on these returns averaged $216 for joint filers, $149 for heads of household and $140 for single filers.
The saver’s credit supplements other tax benefits available to people who set money aside for retirement. For example, most workers may deduct their contributions to a traditional IRA. Though Roth IRA contributions are not deductible, qualifying withdrawals, usually after retirement, are tax-free. Normally, contributions to 401(k) and similar workplace plans are not taxed until withdrawn.
Other special rules that apply to the saver’s credit include the following:
* Eligible taxpayers must be at least 18 years of age.
* Anyone claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return cannot take the credit.
* A student cannot take the credit. A person enrolled as a full-time student during any part of 5 calendar months during the year is considered a student.
* Certain retirement plan distributions reduce the contribution amount used to figure the credit. For 2007, this rule applies to distributions received after 2004 and before the due date (including extensions) of the 2007 return. Form 8880 and its instructions have details on making this computation.
Begun in 2002 as a temporary provision, the saver’s credit was made a permanent part of the tax code in legislation enacted last year. To help preserve the value of the credit, income limits are now adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation. More information about the credit is on this Web site.
Related Item: Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590.pdf
WASHINGTON — Low- and moderate-income workers can take steps now to save for retirement and earn a special tax credit in 2007 and the years ahead, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
The saver’s credit helps offset part of the first $2,000 workers voluntarily contribute to IRAs and to 401(k) plans and similar workplace retirement programs. Formally known as the retirement savings contributions credit, the saver’s credit is available in addition to any other tax savings that apply.
“We want low- and moderate-income workers to know about this valuable credit so they can effectively plan ahead and take full advantage of it,” said Richard J. Morgante, commissioner of the Wage and Investment Division of the IRS. “Now that a growing number of employers are automatically enrolling their employees in 401(k) plans, the saver’s credit offers many workers who save for retirement an added bonus.”
Eligible workers still have time to make qualifying retirement contributions and get the saver’s credit on their 2007 tax return. People have until April 15, 2008, to set up a new individual retirement arrangement or add money to an existing IRA and still get credit for 2007. However, elective deferrals must be made by the end of the year to a 401(k) plan or similar workplace program, such as a 403(b) plan for employees of public schools and certain tax-exempt organizations, a governmental 457 plan for state or local government employees, and the Thrift Savings Plan for federal employees. Employees who are unable to set aside money for this year may want to schedule their 2008 contributions soon so their employer can begin withholding them in January.
The saver’s credit can be claimed by:
* Married couples filing jointly with incomes up to $52,000 in 2007 or $53,000 in 2008;
* Heads of Household with incomes up to $39,000 in 2007 or $39,750 in 2008; and
* Married individuals filing separately and singles with incomes up to $26,000 in 2007 or $26,500 in 2008.
Like other tax credits, the saver’s credit can increase a taxpayer’s refund or reduce the tax owed. Though the maximum saver’s credit is $1,000, $2,000 for married couples, the IRS cautioned that it is often much less and, due in part to the impact of other deductions and credits, may, in fact, be zero for some taxpayers.
A taxpayer’s credit amount is based on his or her filing status, adjusted gross income, tax liability and amount contributed to qualifying retirement programs. Form 8880 is used to claim the saver’s credit, and its instructions have details on figuring the credit correctly.
In 2005, the most recent year for which complete figures are available, saver’s credits totaling more than $900 million were claimed on nearly 5.3 million individual income tax returns. Saver’s credits claimed on these returns averaged $216 for joint filers, $149 for heads of household and $140 for single filers.
The saver’s credit supplements other tax benefits available to people who set money aside for retirement. For example, most workers may deduct their contributions to a traditional IRA. Though Roth IRA contributions are not deductible, qualifying withdrawals, usually after retirement, are tax-free. Normally, contributions to 401(k) and similar workplace plans are not taxed until withdrawn.
Other special rules that apply to the saver’s credit include the following:
* Eligible taxpayers must be at least 18 years of age.
* Anyone claimed as a dependent on someone else’s return cannot take the credit.
* A student cannot take the credit. A person enrolled as a full-time student during any part of 5 calendar months during the year is considered a student.
* Certain retirement plan distributions reduce the contribution amount used to figure the credit. For 2007, this rule applies to distributions received after 2004 and before the due date (including extensions) of the 2007 return. Form 8880 and its instructions have details on making this computation.
Begun in 2002 as a temporary provision, the saver’s credit was made a permanent part of the tax code in legislation enacted last year. To help preserve the value of the credit, income limits are now adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation. More information about the credit is on this Web site.
Related Item: Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs) -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p590.pdf
Thursday, November 8, 2007
IR-2007-186: 2008 Hybrids Certified As Tax Credit For Toyota and Lexus Comes to an End
2008 Hybrids Certified As Tax Credit For Toyota and Lexus Comes to an End
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service acknowledged the certification by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., that several of its Model Year 2008 vehicles qualify for the hybrid vehicle tax credit. Only vehicles purchased prior to Oct. 1, 2007, qualify for a credit.
For purchases made April 1, 2007, through Sept. 30, 2007, the hybrid vehicle certifications recently acknowledged by the IRS and their credit amounts are:
* 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid — $787.50
* 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid — $650
* 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD — $650
* 2008 Lexus LS 600h L Hybrid — $450
* 2008 Lexus RX 400h 2WD and 4WD — $550
No credit is allowed for purchase of these vehicles after September 30, 2007.
The credit amounts reflect a decrease in the credit beginning on Oct. 1, 2006, as a result of the manufacturer’s having sold 60,000 qualified hybrid motor vehicles.
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service acknowledged the certification by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., that several of its Model Year 2008 vehicles qualify for the hybrid vehicle tax credit. Only vehicles purchased prior to Oct. 1, 2007, qualify for a credit.
For purchases made April 1, 2007, through Sept. 30, 2007, the hybrid vehicle certifications recently acknowledged by the IRS and their credit amounts are:
* 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid — $787.50
* 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid — $650
* 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 4WD — $650
* 2008 Lexus LS 600h L Hybrid — $450
* 2008 Lexus RX 400h 2WD and 4WD — $550
No credit is allowed for purchase of these vehicles after September 30, 2007.
The credit amounts reflect a decrease in the credit beginning on Oct. 1, 2006, as a result of the manufacturer’s having sold 60,000 qualified hybrid motor vehicles.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
IR-2007-185: Another Record-Breaking Number of Taxpayers Choose to Electronically File in 2007
Another Record-Breaking Number of Taxpayers Choose to Electronically File in 2007
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service this year received nearly 80 million tax returns through e-file, breaking the record set last year.
The 2007 level is up about 9 percent from the 73 million returns filed for the same period last year. Of the 139.3 million returns filed in 2007, 79.98 million or about 57.4 percent were filed electronically.
“It was another record-breaking year for e-file,” said IRS Acting Commissioner Linda E. Stiff. “Paper returns continue to drop year after year. E-file is the safe, accurate way for more and more taxpayers to quickly complete their taxes and get a refund faster.”
Since 2001, the number of e-filed returns has almost doubled and over the past decade the number of e-filers has increased four-fold.
Year
Returns
Total E-file
Percent E-file
1997
121.5 million
19.2 million
15.8%
1998
123.8 million
24.6 million
19.9%
1999
125.9 million
29.3 million
23.3%
2000
128.4 million
35.4 million
27.6%
2001
131.0 million
40.2 million
30.7%
2002
131.7 million
46.9 million
35.6%
2003
131.6 million
52.9 million
40.2%
2004
132.2 million
61.5 million
46.5%
2005
134.0 million
68.5 million
51.1%
2006
136.1 million
73.3 million
53.8%
More than 22.6 million returns have been e-filed by taxpayers doing their own returns, up from 20.3 million from the same period last year. More than 57.4 million returns were e-filed by tax professionals, up from nearly 52.9 million last year.
Direct Deposit, IRS.gov also Set Records
Meanwhile, more people this year chose to have their tax refunds directly deposited than ever before. For the year to date, the IRS has directly deposited 61.4 million refunds, up 8 percent from last year.
The IRS Web site – IRS.gov – also experienced a record year. The IRS recorded 196.2 million visits to IRS.gov this year, a more than 10 percent increase from the 177.5 million visits for the same period last year.
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service this year received nearly 80 million tax returns through e-file, breaking the record set last year.
The 2007 level is up about 9 percent from the 73 million returns filed for the same period last year. Of the 139.3 million returns filed in 2007, 79.98 million or about 57.4 percent were filed electronically.
“It was another record-breaking year for e-file,” said IRS Acting Commissioner Linda E. Stiff. “Paper returns continue to drop year after year. E-file is the safe, accurate way for more and more taxpayers to quickly complete their taxes and get a refund faster.”
Since 2001, the number of e-filed returns has almost doubled and over the past decade the number of e-filers has increased four-fold.
Year
Returns
Total E-file
Percent E-file
1997
121.5 million
19.2 million
15.8%
1998
123.8 million
24.6 million
19.9%
1999
125.9 million
29.3 million
23.3%
2000
128.4 million
35.4 million
27.6%
2001
131.0 million
40.2 million
30.7%
2002
131.7 million
46.9 million
35.6%
2003
131.6 million
52.9 million
40.2%
2004
132.2 million
61.5 million
46.5%
2005
134.0 million
68.5 million
51.1%
2006
136.1 million
73.3 million
53.8%
More than 22.6 million returns have been e-filed by taxpayers doing their own returns, up from 20.3 million from the same period last year. More than 57.4 million returns were e-filed by tax professionals, up from nearly 52.9 million last year.
Direct Deposit, IRS.gov also Set Records
Meanwhile, more people this year chose to have their tax refunds directly deposited than ever before. For the year to date, the IRS has directly deposited 61.4 million refunds, up 8 percent from last year.
The IRS Web site – IRS.gov – also experienced a record year. The IRS recorded 196.2 million visits to IRS.gov this year, a more than 10 percent increase from the 177.5 million visits for the same period last year.
IR-2007-184: IRS and States to Share Employment Tax Examination Results
IRS and States to Share Employment Tax Examination Results
WASHINGTON — Officials from the Internal Revenue Service and more than two dozen state workforce agencies today announced they have entered into agreements to share the results of employment tax examinations.
The agreements, part of the Questionable Employment Tax Practice (QETP) initiative, provide a centralized, uniform means for the IRS and state employment officials to exchange data, thereby leveraging resources and encouraging businesses to comply with federal and state employment tax requirements.
So far, 29 states have entered into individual information-sharing agreements with the IRS.
“These agreements present a united front for the IRS and its state partners to improve compliance in the employment tax arena,” said Kathy Petronchak, Commissioner of the IRS Small Business/Self-Employed Division. “Combining resources will help IRS and the states reduce fraudulent filings, uncover employment tax avoidance schemes and ensure proper worker classification.”
“As the first state to sign a memorandum of understanding, Michigan has already begun to forge a much closer working relationship with the IRS, which has significantly increased the sharing of tax and audit information between the IRS and our unemployment insurance program,” said Keith W. Cooley, Director, Michigan Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth. “The exchange of data is helping to strengthen employer compliance with our unemployment insurance tax law by reducing the ability for some to manipulate the system, which burdens honest taxpaying employers with extra costs. Our objective is an unemployment tax system that is fair for all employers.”
"New York State is pleased to work with the IRS and other pilot states on the QETP initiative,” New York State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith said. “We are committed to the development of federal-state partnerships that are crucial to effective tax enforcement.”
California, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina all are part of the team that developed the strategy, and they were instrumental in helping make sure the agreements meet the needs of the participating states as well as the needs of the IRS.
The states that have signed partnership agreements with the IRS thus far are:
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
In addition to coordinating compliance activities, the agreements call for collaborative outreach and education activities designed to help businesses understand their employment and unemployment tax responsibilities.
The state agencies, the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, the Federation of Tax Administrators and the IRS worked together on various facets of the exchange agreements.
The exchange agreements are the first result of the QETP initiative. The QETP team will use the results of the project to find new opportunities for collaboration and to work toward improved employment tax compliance.
Related Fact Sheet: FS-2007-25 --
WASHINGTON — Officials from the Internal Revenue Service and more than two dozen state workforce agencies today announced they have entered into agreements to share the results of employment tax examinations.
The agreements, part of the Questionable Employment Tax Practice (QETP) initiative, provide a centralized, uniform means for the IRS and state employment officials to exchange data, thereby leveraging resources and encouraging businesses to comply with federal and state employment tax requirements.
So far, 29 states have entered into individual information-sharing agreements with the IRS.
“These agreements present a united front for the IRS and its state partners to improve compliance in the employment tax arena,” said Kathy Petronchak, Commissioner of the IRS Small Business/Self-Employed Division. “Combining resources will help IRS and the states reduce fraudulent filings, uncover employment tax avoidance schemes and ensure proper worker classification.”
“As the first state to sign a memorandum of understanding, Michigan has already begun to forge a much closer working relationship with the IRS, which has significantly increased the sharing of tax and audit information between the IRS and our unemployment insurance program,” said Keith W. Cooley, Director, Michigan Dept. of Labor & Economic Growth. “The exchange of data is helping to strengthen employer compliance with our unemployment insurance tax law by reducing the ability for some to manipulate the system, which burdens honest taxpaying employers with extra costs. Our objective is an unemployment tax system that is fair for all employers.”
"New York State is pleased to work with the IRS and other pilot states on the QETP initiative,” New York State Labor Commissioner M. Patricia Smith said. “We are committed to the development of federal-state partnerships that are crucial to effective tax enforcement.”
California, Michigan, New Jersey, New York and North Carolina all are part of the team that developed the strategy, and they were instrumental in helping make sure the agreements meet the needs of the participating states as well as the needs of the IRS.
The states that have signed partnership agreements with the IRS thus far are:
Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.
In addition to coordinating compliance activities, the agreements call for collaborative outreach and education activities designed to help businesses understand their employment and unemployment tax responsibilities.
The state agencies, the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, the Federation of Tax Administrators and the IRS worked together on various facets of the exchange agreements.
The exchange agreements are the first result of the QETP initiative. The QETP team will use the results of the project to find new opportunities for collaboration and to work toward improved employment tax compliance.
Related Fact Sheet: FS-2007-25 --
Friday, November 2, 2007
IR-2007-183: IRS Warns of E-mail Scam Soliciting Donations to California Wildfire Victims
IRS Warns of E-mail Scam Soliciting Donations to California Wildfire Victims
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to be on the lookout for a new e-mail scam that appears to be a solicitation from the IRS and the U.S. government for charitable contributions to victims of the recent Southern California wildfires.
In an effort to appear legitimate, the bogus e-mails include text from an actual speech about the wildfires by a member of the California Assembly.
The scam e-mail urges recipients to click on a link, which then opens what appears to be the IRS Web site but which is, in fact, a fake. An item on the phony Web site urges donations and includes a link that opens a donation form which requests the recipient’s personal and financial information.
“People should exercise caution when they receive unsolicited e-mail or e-mail from senders they don’t know,” said Richard Spires, IRS Deputy Commissioner for Operations Support. “They should avoid opening any attachments or clicking on any links until they can verify the e-mail’s legitimacy.”
The bogus e-mails appear to be a “phishing” scheme, in which recipients are tricked into providing personal and financial information that can be used to gain access to and steal the e-mail recipient’s assets.
The IRS also believes that clicking on the link downloads malware, or malicious software, onto the recipient’s computer. The malware will steal passwords and other account information it finds on the victim's computer system and send them to the scamster.
Generally, scamsters use the data they fraudulently obtain to empty the recipient’s bank accounts, run up charges on the victim’s existing credit cards, apply for new loans, credit cards, services or benefits in the victim’s name or even file fraudulent tax returns to obtain refunds rightfully belonging to the victim.
The IRS does not send e-mails soliciting charitable donations. As a rule, the IRS does not send unsolicited e-mails or ask for personal and financial information via e-mail. The IRS never asks people for the PIN numbers, passwords or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank or other financial accounts.
Recipients of the scam e-mail who clicked on any of the links should have their computers checked for malicious software and should monitor their financial accounts for suspicious activity, taking measures to prevent unauthorized access as necessary. Any unauthorized activity should be reported to law enforcement authorities and to the three major credit companies. More information on how to handle actual or potential identity theft may be found in IRS Publication 4535, Identity Theft Protection and Victim Assistance, available on the IRS Web site. Information is also available on the Federal Trade Commission’s identity theft Web site.
Recipients of the scam e-mail can help the IRS shut down this scheme by forwarding the e-mail to an electronic mail box, phishing@irs.gov, using instructions found in “How to Protect Yourself from Suspicious E-Mails or Phishing Schemes” on this site. This mail box was established to receive copies of possibly fraudulent e-mails involving misuse of the IRS name, logo or Web site for investigation.
The IRS and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) work with the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) and various Internet service providers and international CERT teams to have the phishing sites taken offline as soon as they are reported.
Since the establishment of the mail box last year, the IRS has received more than 30,000 e-mails from taxpayers reporting almost 600 separate phishing incidents. To date, investigations by TIGTA have identified almost 900 host sites in at least 55 different countries, as well as in the United States.
Recipients of questionable e-mails claiming to come from the IRS may also call TIGTA’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-366-4484.
The IRS has come across numerous schemes in which e-mails claim to come from the IRS. More information on these schemes may be found on the genuine IRS Web site, IRS.gov, by entering the term phishing in the search box.
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today warned taxpayers to be on the lookout for a new e-mail scam that appears to be a solicitation from the IRS and the U.S. government for charitable contributions to victims of the recent Southern California wildfires.
In an effort to appear legitimate, the bogus e-mails include text from an actual speech about the wildfires by a member of the California Assembly.
The scam e-mail urges recipients to click on a link, which then opens what appears to be the IRS Web site but which is, in fact, a fake. An item on the phony Web site urges donations and includes a link that opens a donation form which requests the recipient’s personal and financial information.
“People should exercise caution when they receive unsolicited e-mail or e-mail from senders they don’t know,” said Richard Spires, IRS Deputy Commissioner for Operations Support. “They should avoid opening any attachments or clicking on any links until they can verify the e-mail’s legitimacy.”
The bogus e-mails appear to be a “phishing” scheme, in which recipients are tricked into providing personal and financial information that can be used to gain access to and steal the e-mail recipient’s assets.
The IRS also believes that clicking on the link downloads malware, or malicious software, onto the recipient’s computer. The malware will steal passwords and other account information it finds on the victim's computer system and send them to the scamster.
Generally, scamsters use the data they fraudulently obtain to empty the recipient’s bank accounts, run up charges on the victim’s existing credit cards, apply for new loans, credit cards, services or benefits in the victim’s name or even file fraudulent tax returns to obtain refunds rightfully belonging to the victim.
The IRS does not send e-mails soliciting charitable donations. As a rule, the IRS does not send unsolicited e-mails or ask for personal and financial information via e-mail. The IRS never asks people for the PIN numbers, passwords or similar secret access information for their credit card, bank or other financial accounts.
Recipients of the scam e-mail who clicked on any of the links should have their computers checked for malicious software and should monitor their financial accounts for suspicious activity, taking measures to prevent unauthorized access as necessary. Any unauthorized activity should be reported to law enforcement authorities and to the three major credit companies. More information on how to handle actual or potential identity theft may be found in IRS Publication 4535, Identity Theft Protection and Victim Assistance, available on the IRS Web site. Information is also available on the Federal Trade Commission’s identity theft Web site.
Recipients of the scam e-mail can help the IRS shut down this scheme by forwarding the e-mail to an electronic mail box, phishing@irs.gov, using instructions found in “How to Protect Yourself from Suspicious E-Mails or Phishing Schemes” on this site. This mail box was established to receive copies of possibly fraudulent e-mails involving misuse of the IRS name, logo or Web site for investigation.
The IRS and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) work with the U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT) and various Internet service providers and international CERT teams to have the phishing sites taken offline as soon as they are reported.
Since the establishment of the mail box last year, the IRS has received more than 30,000 e-mails from taxpayers reporting almost 600 separate phishing incidents. To date, investigations by TIGTA have identified almost 900 host sites in at least 55 different countries, as well as in the United States.
Recipients of questionable e-mails claiming to come from the IRS may also call TIGTA’s toll-free hotline at 1-800-366-4484.
The IRS has come across numerous schemes in which e-mails claim to come from the IRS. More information on these schemes may be found on the genuine IRS Web site, IRS.gov, by entering the term phishing in the search box.
IR-2007-182: IRS Announces New Chinese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese Tax Glossaries To Assist Taxpayers
IRS Announces New Chinese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese Tax Glossaries To Assist Taxpayers
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced five new publications to help foreign-language communities understand federal tax forms and publications that are written in English. These new glossaries of tax terminology will help meet increased demand for tax-related resources in languages other than English.
The five new publications are new versions of Publication 850 (names listed below) and are for Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Korean, Russian and Vietnamese. A Spanish version was already available.
The Virtual Translation Office of the IRS helped create these glossaries of tax terminology to help taxpayers and the professionals who assist them. The publications were developed in cooperation with numerous professional translators and editors to establish uniformity in language usage in IRS tax products and to function as reference materials for these products.
Although the publications are not legal documents, the IRS hopes that these glossaries will be useful to members of the Chinese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese communities in the United States in understanding IRS documents and clarifying tax-related issues.
The new publications are:
* Publication 850 (EN/CN-S), English-Chinese (Simplified) Glossary of Words and Phrases -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850encs.pdf
* Publication 850 (EN/CN-T), English-Chinese (Traditional) Glossary of Words and Phrases -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850enct.pdf
* Publication 850 (EN/KR), English-Korean Glossary of Words and Phrases -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850enkr.pdf
* Publication 850 (EN/RU), English-Russian Glossary of Words and Phrases -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850enru.pdf
* Publication 850 (EN/VN), English-Vietnamese Glossary of Words and Phrases -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850envn.pdf
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced five new publications to help foreign-language communities understand federal tax forms and publications that are written in English. These new glossaries of tax terminology will help meet increased demand for tax-related resources in languages other than English.
The five new publications are new versions of Publication 850 (names listed below) and are for Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Korean, Russian and Vietnamese. A Spanish version was already available.
The Virtual Translation Office of the IRS helped create these glossaries of tax terminology to help taxpayers and the professionals who assist them. The publications were developed in cooperation with numerous professional translators and editors to establish uniformity in language usage in IRS tax products and to function as reference materials for these products.
Although the publications are not legal documents, the IRS hopes that these glossaries will be useful to members of the Chinese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese communities in the United States in understanding IRS documents and clarifying tax-related issues.
The new publications are:
* Publication 850 (EN/CN-S), English-Chinese (Simplified) Glossary of Words and Phrases -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850encs.pdf
* Publication 850 (EN/CN-T), English-Chinese (Traditional) Glossary of Words and Phrases -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850enct.pdf
* Publication 850 (EN/KR), English-Korean Glossary of Words and Phrases -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850enkr.pdf
* Publication 850 (EN/RU), English-Russian Glossary of Words and Phrases -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850enru.pdf
* Publication 850 (EN/VN), English-Vietnamese Glossary of Words and Phrases -- http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p850envn.pdf
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