The ACA Times


  Show menu
  • Home
  • Articles
  • Get to Know the ACA
  • ACA – Frequently Asked Questions
  • Resources
  • Meet the Editors
  • Trusaic
  • Contact Us
  • Legal
  
  • Home
  • Affordable Care Act
  • What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Changes at the IRS

Articles

What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Changes at the IRS

April 2, 2020 Robert Sheen Affordable Care Act, IRS
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Changes at the IRS

3 minute read:

In the midst of theCOVID-19 crisis, the IRS announced that it will pare back operations to focus on “mission-critical” functions. In a notice updated on April 1, 2020. “As a federal agency vital to the overall operations of our country, we ask for your personal support, your understanding – and your patience,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. Here are some major changes to be aware of:

  • TheIRS has temporarily suspended almost all face-to-face contact with taxpayers. All Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs) are closed and face-to-face service discontinued throughout the country until further notice. For taxpayers with TACappointments, the IRS will attempt to resolve these by phone.
  • Automated applications. IRS.gov and many automated applications remain available, including such things as Where’s My Refund, the IRS2Go phone app and online payments and online payment agreements.
  • The IRS has temporarily reduced live telephonic assistance. IRS automated phone lines, which handle the majority of taxpayer calls, remain fully operational during this period. Some compliance lines also remain available. IRS.gov is fully operational for taxpayers, and it remains the best source of information.
  • Practitioner Priority Service (PPS) – Due to staff limitations the Practitioner Priority Service line is closed until further notice.
  • Taxpayer correspondence. While able to receive mail, the IRS will be responding to paper correspondence only to a very limited degree during this period. Taxpayers who mail correspondence to the IRS during this period should expect to wait longer than usual for a response.

The IRS has also outlined changes to additional functions as follows:

  • Compliance activity. The IRS is continuing to assess the impact of COVID-19 on a range of compliance activities across the agency.
  • Statute of limitations issues. The IRS will continue working cases where a statute of limitation is pending. In some of these situations, the IRS will work with the taxpayer or their representative to obtain an extension of the statute.
  • Office of Chief Counsel. The Office of Chief Counsel continues to work to resolve cases in litigation, including those on calendars in various cities through July 3, 2020, that were recently canceled by the U.S. Tax Court. Counsel continues to work on cases in litigation generally and to support and advise the IRS operating divisions on their enforcement and examination activities.
  • Independent Office of Appeals. At this time, Appeals employees will continue to work their cases. Although Appeals is not currently holding in-person conferences with taxpayers, conferences may be held over the telephone or by videoconference. To the extent they can, taxpayers are encouraged to promptly respond to any outstanding requests for information for all cases in the Independent Office of Appeals.
  • Taxpayer Advocate Service. Currently, TAS remains open to receive phone calls at the local phone numbers but has suspended walk-in services in their offices and their toll-free centralized number is unavailable until further notice. Please visit taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov to locate your local office phone number.
  • Tax-exempt Sector Determinations, Rulings and Closing Agreements. The IRS continues to process applications for recognition of tax exemption for exempt organizations, rulings and determinations for employees plans and closing agreements for municipal issuers.

As taxpayers adjust to the economic realities of COVID-19, they should continue to monitor IRS.gov for updates to IRS activities.

To learn more about ACA compliance in 2021, click here.


We’re committed to helping companies reduce risk, avoid penalties, and achieve 100% ACA compliance. For questions about the ACA contact us here.

Summary
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Changes at the IRS
Article Name
What You Need to Know About COVID-19 Changes at the IRS
Description
The IRS has reduced operations to address mission-critical functions.
Author
Robert Sheen
Publisher Name
The ACA Times
Publisher Logo
The ACA Times
Short URL of this page: https://acatimes.com/kai
Robert Sheen

Robert Sheen

Robert Sheen, Esq., is editor-in-chief of The ACA Times. He also is founder, president and CEO of Trusaic.

Robert Sheen is Founder and President of Trusaic, Inc. Robert is a graduate of the University of Southern California, in Business Administration with an emphasis in International Finance. He earned his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, concentrating in Tax Law.

View more by Robert Sheen

Related tags to article

ACA ComplianceAffordable Care ActCOVID-19Independent Office of AppealsIRSIRS.govLitigationOffice of Chief CounselPractitioner Priority Service (PPS)Statute of LimitationsTaxpayer Advocate ServiceTaxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs)U.S. Tax Court
Related Articles How to Leverage Your Workforce Data to Meet DEI Goals How to Leverage Your Workforce Data to Meet DEI Goals
Related Articles An Employer’s Guide to Navigating the DEI&A Landscape An Employer’s Guide to Navigating the DEI&A Landscape
Related Articles Governments, Investors, & Litigators Are Focusing More on ESG Governments, Investors, & Litigators Are Focusing More on ESG
Related Articles Administration Predicts Lower ACA Enrollment by Robert Sheen  •  
Related Articles IRS Eases Rules on Hardship Exemptions by Robert Sheen  •  
Related Articles HHS Awards $36 Million To Health Centers by Robert Sheen  •  
Subscribe

Popular Posts

  • California Individual Mandate Penalties Will be Issued in 2021
  • Biden’s Affordable Care Act Advancements are Underway
  • What Employers Need to Know About the 2020 ACA 1095-C Codes
  • Employers May Face Additional Challenges with 2020 ACA Reporting
  • Five Resources Essential for ACA Compliance in 2021
  • The IRS is Issuing ACA Penalty Letter 226J for 2018
  • Most Frequently Asked ACA Questions for Employers and Individuals

Trending Topics

  • Regulations
    (91)
  • Legislation
    (47)
  • Editorials
    (19)
  • ACA Compliance
    (126)
  • Tax Filings
    (19)
  • Applicable Large Employer (ALE)
    (13)
  • Penalties
    (18)
  • IRS
    (82)
  • Health Insurance Marketplace
    (28)
  • Polls/Surveys
    (18)
  • Health Care Reform
    (22)
  • Reporting
    (22)
  • IRS 226J/226-J
    (28)

Categories


Brought to you by Trusaic

 

 

 

Twitter Facebook

Downloads

The ACA 101 Toolkit

The Essential Guide to the ACA

Letter 226J Infographic

5 Common ACA Compliance Mistakes

Triangle of Trust

Articles

IRS Affordability Safe Harbors Help Avoid ACA Penalties

Calculating FT and FTE Employees

The ACA Monthly Measurement Method: A Few Examples

The IRS’s 1095 Forms for ACA Explained

Incorrect ITINs Will Cause Havoc With ACA Compliance

Knowledge Center

Get to know the ACA

Get to know Letter 226J

Webinar: The Recipe for Successful ACA Compliance

Trusaic News

Our Story

© 2021 Copyright Trusaic - All Rights reserved.

Close Window

Loading, Please Wait!

This may take a second or two. Loading, Please Wait!