This shows details on how the IRS is helping taxpayers during this pandemic with an overview of their operations:

Taxpayers who are applying for a refund are encouraged to submit electronically soon and choose direct deposit to receive a refund within less than 21 days. This is faster compared to the old-fashioned mailing method which can take more than a month to receive a refund. It is also safe because you don’t need to go out to do it. All can be done on a work or home computer.

The IRS is also encouraging anyone with a tax return duty who has not yet filed a tax return for 2018 or a prior year to act now. – Pending legislation contains certain potential credits and rebates for those who have submitted a return for 2018 and/or 2019.

The IRS has temporarily suspended almost all contact with taxpayers. All taxpayer centers (TACs) are closed and face-to-face service has been halted nationwide so far.

There is currently limited assistance with telephone customer service, but local office locations, limited call center staff and high demand means that there is an exceptionally high call volume.

IRS.gov and many automated applications remain available, including things like “where’s my refund”, the IRS2Go phone app and online payments and online payment agreements.

While the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak continues, the Internal Revenue Service is taking several steps to protect America’s taxpayers. Although they are combating some operations during this period, the IRS continues to provide mission-critical functions to support the country, which includes accepting tax returns and filing refunds.

IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said “As a federal agency essential to the overall operations of our country, we ask for your personal support, your understanding and your patience”. “I am incredibly proud of our employees as we navigate through various challenges in this very rapidly changing environment. We work closely with our partners in the tax community of the country and do everything in our power to help”.

        

FILE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE

Refunds can still be given to taxpayers. If possible, don’t wait until July 15 to submit if you owe a refund, file as soon as possible. Refunds will still be paid. For the fastest results, taxpayers must use an e-file or free direct deposit file to expedite the process of repayments.

 

E-FILE RECOMMENDED

To prevent delays, the IRS requests taxpayers to file electronically rather than on paper. The use of direct deposit is also of utmost importance to expedite the repayments. Most taxpayers can file for free on the official website of the IRS. The IRS will continue to accept electronic and paper returns for taxpayers who would prefer to continue filing on paper. The IRS emphasizes that during this period, paper returns can take extra time to process; Electronic filing remains the best option for taxpayers.

JULY 15 TAX EXTENSION AUTOMATICALLY

Taxpayers do not need to file any additional forms or call the IRS to be eligible for these automated federal tax returns and payment relief. Individual taxpayers who need additional time to file after the July 15 deadline can file a tax extension by submitting the Form 4868 using their tax professionals, tax software, or the Free File link on IRS.gov. Businesses that need extra time must file Form 7004.

Estimated payments: The additional time also includes estimated tax payments for the tax year 2020 payable on April 15, 2020 if paid by July 15, 2020.

Extensions beyond July 15: The IRS reminds individual taxpayers the easiest and fastest way to request an extension from filers is to file Form 4868 electronically through their tax professionals, tax software or the Free File link at IRS.gov. Businesses must submit Form 7004.

 

IRS MISSION-CRITICAL OPERATIONS CONTINUE; NO FACE-TO-FACE HELP

To protect employees and taxpayers, the IRS has scaled back their operations to focus on mission-critical activities for the country. They continue to follow the lead of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), as well as state and local officials to ensure the safety of IRS employees and the public as a whole.

Many IRS offices in the areas most affected by COVID-19 are closed or have fewer operations on mission-critical items. Employees who are eligible for counting work throughout the IRS.

The IRS emphasizes that it assesses its operations on a daily basis. The following is an overview of various activities of interest to taxpayers and tax professionals:

Personal assistance -The IRS has temporarily suspended almost all contact with taxpayers. All taxpayer centers (TACs) are closed and face-to-face service has been halted nationwide so far. For taxpayers with TAC appointments, efforts are made to solve the taxpayer’s assistance needs by telephone.

Automated applications – IRS.gov and many automated applications remain available, including things like where’s my refund tool, the IRS2Go phone app and online payments and online payment agreements.

Phones – There is currently limited assistance with telephone customer service, but local office locations, limited call center staff and high demand mean that there is an exceptionally high call volume. Waiting times will be long. The IRS strongly urges people to use IRS.gov for information.

Practitioner Priority Service (PPS) – Practitioners are reminded that, depending on staff levels ahead, there may be more significant waiting times for PPS. The IRS will continue to monitor this as situations develop.

Appointments of taxpayers – During this period, all personal appointments are canceled at an IRS Taxpayer Help Center. Taxpayers do not need to call to cancel their appointments.

Debenture correspondence – Although the IRS is able to receive e-mails, they will only respond to paper correspondence to a very limited extent during this period. Taxpayers who file correspondence with the IRS during this period should expect to wait longer than usual for an answer. Even after resuming normal operations, it would take the IRS some time to work through any correspondence backlog.

Other IRS operations

Compliance activity – The IRS is still evaluating the impact of COVID-19 on a range of compliance activities across the agency.

Statute of limitations issues – The IRS will continue to do business where a prescription status is pending. In some of these situations, the IRS is working with the taxpayer or their representative to obtain an extension of the law.

Office of Chief Counsel -The attorney general’s office is continuing to resolve litigation matters, including those on calendars in various cities until July 3, 2020, recently canceled by the U.S. Tax Court. Attorney is constantly working on litigation matters and supporting the IRS operating departments on their enforcement and investigation activities. Although the counselor does not meet with taxpayers or their representatives during meetings, or to take depositions, taxpayers need to know that our attorneys are available to discuss their cases by phone.

Independent Appeals Office – At this time, Appeal employees will continue to work out their business. Although Appeals does not currently hold personal conferences with taxpayers, conferences can be held by telephone or by video conferencing. To the extent possible, taxpayers are encouraged to respond promptly to any pending information requests for all cases in the Independent Office of Appeal.

Taxpayer Advocacy Service -TAS currently remains open to receive telephone calls from local telephone numbers, but has suspended boarding services in their offices and their toll-free centralized number is not available until further notice. To locate your local phone number, taxpayers should check the IRS website for taxpayer advocate.

Determination of exempted taxes, rulings and closing agreements in the sector – The IRS continues to process tax exemption recognition for exempt organization, employee plans and provisions, and concludes municipal issuer agreements.