Treasury: IRS Must Brace for Health Reform Tax Appeals
In an audit released last week, the Treasury Department's inspector general for tax administration said the Internal Revenue Service should prepare for an influx of taxpayer appeals in 2014, involving several new credits and penalties under the federal health reform law. According to the audit, the IRS appeals division is preparing by assigning an analyst to manage appeals related to the overhaul, creating an internal website to help staff address specific issues and dispatching staff throughout the agency to monitor preparations. However, the audit suggests that IRS take a more formal approach to prepare for heavier caseloads in 2014, when the agency will be responsible for ensuring that U.S. residents purchase health coverage and that businesses offer health plans to their workers.
- "IRS Could Face Glut of Health Law Tax Appeals" (Winfield Cunningham, Washington Times, 1/5).