Actions Are Needed to Ensure Proper Use of Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers and to Verify or Limit Refundable Credit Claims
March 31, 2009
Reference Number: 2009-40-057
This report has cleared the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration disclosure review process and information determined to be restricted from public release has been redacted from this document.
Redaction Legend:
2(a) = Law Enforcement Criteria
2(e) = Law Enforcement Procedure(s)
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Phone Number |
202-622-6500
Email Address | inquiries@tigta.treas.gov
Web Site |
http://www.tigta.gov
March 31, 2009
MEMORANDUM FOR COMMISSIONER, WAGE AND INVESTMENT DIVISION
FROM: Michael R. Phillips /s/ Michael R. Phillips
Deputy Inspector General for Audit
SUBJECT: Final Audit Report – Actions Are Needed to Ensure Proper Use of Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers and to Verify or Limit Refundable Credit Claims (Audit # 200840020)
This report represents the results of our review to determine whether the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) has proper controls in place to detect and deter improper use of
Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) when processing tax returns. This audit was conducted as part of our Fiscal
Year 2008 Annual Audit Plan.
Impact on the Taxpayer
The IRS issues ITINs to help individuals comply with the United
States (U.S.) tax laws and provide a means to efficiently process and account
for tax returns. The issuance of ITINs
was intended to address concerns by the
IRS and the Department of the Treasury that, without a unique number, taxpayers
could not be identified effectively. There
has been a significant increase in the use of ITINs since the IRS began issuing
them in Tax Year (TY) 1996. There was a
246 percent increase from 530,000 in TY 2001 to more than 1.8 million in TY 2007. Improvements to the ITIN Program are needed
to ensure that the Program is meeting its intent and that refundable claims are
verified.
Synopsis
The ITIN is available to individuals who are required to have
a taxpayer identification number for tax purposes, but do not have and are not eligible
to obtain an SSN.
Any person required
to file a tax return is required to include an identifying number, referred to
as a taxpayer identification number. For
the majority of filers, the taxpayer identification number is the individual’s
Social Security Number (SSN). Non-U.S.
citizens who do not have an employment authorization must prove a valid nonwork
reason for requesting an SSN in order to receive one.[1] Consequently, many individuals are unable to
obtain an SSN. Individuals who are unable to obtain an SSN but have a tax return filing
requirement can be either resident or nonresident aliens. The ITIN is available to these individuals.
The IRS has initiated a number of actions in an
attempt to improve the processing of tax returns from individuals who are
unable to obtain an SSN. Despite these
efforts, improvements to the ITIN Program are still needed.
·
Individuals
are assigned multiple ITINs, which results in the issuance of erroneous
refunds. A recent
IRS study[2]
identified that 4 percent of individuals applying for ITINs already had an ITIN
assigned to them and that 30 percent of these individuals were assigned another
one. The study further estimated that
approximately $60 million per year in erroneous refunds were issued for ITIN
cases. Some of these resulted from the
same individual filing multiple tax returns under the different identification
numbers.
·
ITINs are improperly used for employment.
Employers are reporting wage income under an ITIN. The law establishing the ITIN specifically
states that it is not an SSN or an account number for use in employment for
wages.[3] Our
review of TY 2006 Wage and Tax Statements (Form W-2) identified 292,992 employers that filed
790,701 Forms W-2 with ITINs reporting wages totaling more than $9.5
billion. The number of noncompliant
employers increased 15 percent from 253,742 in TY 2004 to 292,992 in TY
2006. Although the IRS has data
available to identify these individuals and employers, no significant actions
are taken to address the noncompliance.
·
Incomplete or inaccurate information is being
input into IRS systems from tax returns filed with ITINs.[4] This
occurs when a tax return is filed with an ITIN and an attached Form W-2
contains an SSN that does not belong to the individual filing the tax
return. The IRS does not transcribe
information from Forms W-2 for paper-filed tax returns. In addition, a feature included in tax
preparation software packages automatically populates the identification number
on the electronic Form W-2 [for electronically filed (e-filed) tax returns] with the identification number reported on
the tax return, i.e., the ITIN. This
occurs even though there is an SSN on the Form W-2 which does not belong to the
individual filing the return.
· ****2(e), 2(f)****. The amount of the CTC and/or the ACTC allowed to ITIN filers increased from $152 million in TY 2000 to almost $2.4 billion in TY 2007. In TY 2007, more than 1.2 million (66 percent) ITIN filers received ACTCs of almost $1.8 billion. The ACTC is a refundable credit available to individuals with no tax liability. ****2(e), 2(f)****.
·
Legislation
should be considered to require an SSN in order to be eligible for the ACTC,
consistent with the requirements for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Prior to 1996, ITIN filers were entitled
to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit.
However, concerns were raised by the Government Accountability Office,
IRS, and Congress regarding noncompliance with Earned Income Tax Credit
requirements. The Government Accountability
Office reported that awarding the Earned Income Tax Credit to illegal aliens[5]
was at cross purposes with Federal Government policies that prohibit illegal
aliens from working in the U.S.[6] The law was subsequently changed to deny the
Earned Income Tax Credit to individuals who file a tax return without an SSN
valid for work.[7] The change in the law was made prior to the
establishment of the ACTC. While the law
also prohibits aliens residing without authorization in the
Recommendations
We recommended that the Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division:
· Develop a process to identify individuals who are improperly using ITINs for work purposes and develop outreach efforts with the Social Security Administration to address the improper use.
· Coordinate with electronic tax software preparation companies to initiate actions to limit the automatic population feature of the taxpayer identification numbers on Forms W-2 for Forms W-2 associated with e-filed ITIN tax returns.
· Develop a process to ensure that accurate tax information is input into IRS systems from both paper and e-filed tax returns filed with an ITIN.
· Develop a process to ensure the residency requirement for the CTC and ACTC is met on ITIN returns claiming the credits.
Legislative Recommendation
Legislation is needed to clarify whether or not refundable
tax credits such as the ACTC may be paid to filers without an SSN and, if these
credits may not be paid, to provide IRS math error authority[8]
to disallow associated claims for the credits.
Disallowance of the ACTC to filers without an SSN would reduce Federal
outlays by $8.9 billion over 5 years.
Response
IRS management agreed with two recommendations and disagreed with three recommendations. The IRS agreed to continue to work with electronic tax software preparation companies and remind them of the problem of automatic population of the ITIN in the SSN field. The IRS also agreed to explore with the Department of the Treasury legislative changes to address the payment of refundable credits to taxpayers who file without an SSN.
Management does not plan to work with the SSA to develop outreach efforts to address the improper use of the ITIN for employment. They believe their involvement would be a duplication of the SSA’s efforts. Management did not agree to ensure that accurate tax information is input into IRS systems from both paper and e-filed tax returns with an ITIN. Furthermore, management did not agree to develop a process to ensure the residency requirement for the CTC and ACTC is met on ITIN returns claiming the credits. The IRS states that, without a legislative change, it does not have the legal authority during tax return processing to verify and disallow the CTC or ACTC based on ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)****. The current process for verification of eligibility is an examination, where the taxpayer would need to provide ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)****.
IRS management agreed with the outcome measure regarding e-filed returns with Forms W-2 containing ITINs, but disagreed with the outcome measure regarding ACTC payments because the outcome measure is based on two contingencies: 1) interpretation of the Internal Revenue Code and 2) the enactment of legislation to specifically disallow the ACTC to filers without an SSN. Should such legislation be enacted, IRS management will reconsider the outcome measure. Management’s complete response to the draft report is included as Appendix VII.
Office of Audit Comment
IRS management disagreed with our recommendation to develop
a process to identify individuals who are improperly using ITINs for work
purposes because they believe that it would duplicate SSA efforts and that the
SSA is the correct agency to address the issue. However, because the ITIN is a number issued
by the IRS, we believe it is the IRS’ responsibility to educate individuals and
employers of its limitations, especially in the instances that the IRS knows it
is being used for employment. Since our
recommendation was for the IRS to work with the SSA on this issue, it should not
result in duplicate efforts.
We are concerned with the IRS’ disagreement to our recommendation to ensure that accurate tax information is input into IRS systems from both paper and e-filed tax returns with an ITIN. Without correct wage reporting information, there is no wage matching to make sure the amount reported as withheld is correct. Management did not provide us information supporting their statement that transcribing the information from Forms W-2 would be cost prohibitive.
While IRS management
states that it disagrees with the recommendation to develop a process to ensure
the ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)**** with ITINs being claimed for the
CTC and/or ACTC, management also states on page 4 of the response that its “SP
[Submission Processing] and Reporting Compliance organizations are partnering
in a pilot to explore options to better identify false claims for examination.” This appears as if it is intended to address
our recommendation, so the basis for disagreement is not clear.
We agree with IRS
management that our outcome measure related to ACTC payments is contingent upon
interpretation or enactment of legislation, as we note in Appendix IV on page 25.
Copies of this report are also being sent to the IRS managers affected by the report recommendations. Because this report contains a legislative recommendation, we have discussed the recommendation with the Department of the Treasury Office of Tax Policy and will provide a copy of the report to the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy. Please contact me at (202) 622-6510 if you have questions or Michael E. McKenney, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Returns Processing and Account Services), at (202) 622-5916.
The Internal Revenue
Service Receives Millions of Forms W-2 With Invalid Identification Numbers
Improvements Can
Be Made to the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Program
Appendices
Appendix
I – Detailed Objective, Scope, and Methodology
Appendix
II – Major Contributors to This Report
Appendix
III – Report Distribution List
Appendix IV
– Outcome Measures
Appendix V
– Methods for Employers to Verify Work Eligibility
Appendix VI
– Rules for Claiming the Child Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit
Appendix
VII – Management’s Response to the Draft Report
|
ACTC |
Additional Child Tax Credit |
|
CTC |
Child Tax Credit |
|
DHS |
Department of Homeland Security |
|
e-file;
e-filed |
Electronic file; electronically filed |
|
IRS |
Internal Revenue Service |
|
ITIN |
Individual Taxpayer Identification Number |
|
SSA |
Social Security Administration |
|
SSN |
Social Security Number |
|
TIGTA |
Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration |
|
TY |
Tax Year |
|
|
|
Employers have a legal obligation to ensure that they are not hiring individuals unauthorized to work in the United States (U.S.). Employers have to complete the following actions to comply with legal requirements regarding verifying eligibility to work and administration of tax laws:
· Work Eligibility – The employer is required to complete an Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). Both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) provide various methods for employers to verify work eligibility. See Appendix V for a description of methods provided for verification.
· New Hire Reporting – The employer is required to report newly hired employees to a designated State new hire registry.
· Income Tax Withholding – An Employee’s Withholding Allowance Certificate (Form W-4) must be completed.
· Name and Social Security Number (SSN) – The employer is required to record each new employee’s SSN when completing the Wage and Tax Statement (Form W-2). Although the employer should ask to view the employee’s social security card, there is no requirement that the card be viewed and, therefore, no requirement to ensure the authenticity of the SSN.
The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN)
was created to provide individuals who are not eligible to obtain an SSN with an
identification number for tax purposes
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issues ITINs to help
individuals comply with the
· Change an individual’s immigration status.
· Entitle the individual to social security benefits.
·
Entitle the individual to work in the
· Entitle the individual to the Earned Income Tax Credit.
Individuals who are
unable to obtain an SSN but have a tax return filing requirement can be either
resident or nonresident aliens. The ITIN
is available to individuals who are required to have a taxpayer identification
number for tax purposes, but do not have and are not eligible to obtain an
SSN. The distinction between a resident
and nonresident alien is important because each is taxed differently. Resident aliens must follow the same
tax laws as
Individuals
applying for an ITIN must submit documentary evidence to establish their
identity and foreign status.
The ITINs are not valid identification outside the tax
system. To obtain an ITIN, an alien
individual, a spouse, or qualifying dependent must complete an Application for
IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (Form W-7). Most individuals must attach a Federal income
tax return to the application to ensure the ITINs are being used for their
intended tax administration purpose. In
addition, the individual applying for an ITIN must submit proof of identity. An original, certified, or notarized copy of
an unexpired passport is the only document that is accepted for both identity
and foreign status. If the individual
does not have a passport, the individual must provide a combination of at least
two or more current and unexpired documents to prove identity and foreign
status. Medical and school records can
be provided for dependents under age 14 (under age 18 if a student) and can be
used to establish foreign status only if they are foreign documents. For school and medical records that do not
have expiration dates, the issuing date must be within the last 12 months. All supporting documents must show the individual’s name and support the claim
of foreign status. At least one document
must show the individual’s photograph.[9]
There has been a significant increase in the use of ITINs since the IRS began issuing them in Tax Year (TY) 1996. Figure 1 shows a 246 percent increase in the number of individual income tax returns filed using ITINs and reporting wages from TY 2001 to TY 2007.
Figure 1: Growth
of Tax Returns Filed Using ITINs and Reporting Wages
|
|
2001 |
2007 |
%
Change |
|
Total
Individual Income Tax Returns |
530,000 |
1,835,000 |
246% |
|
Paper-Filed
Returns |
444,000 |
950,000 |
114% |
|
Electronically
Filed (E-Filed) Returns |
86,000 |
885,000 |
929% |
Sources: Data for TY 2001 were obtained from a prior Treasury
Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) report.[10]
Data for TY 2007 were obtained from
analysis of the IRS Returns Transaction File.[11] Data was rounded to the nearest thousand.
The number of resident aliens assigned ITINs has increased
considerably as compared to the number of ITINs assigned to nonresident aliens
Resident
aliens accounted for 93 percent of the total number of ITINS issued.
Foreign individuals
are considered a resident alien if they meet one of two tests for the calendar
year—the green card test or the substantial presence test.[12] An
individual meets the green card test
if at any time during the calendar year he or she was a lawful permanent
resident of the
The number of resident aliens assigned ITINs has
increased considerably when compared with the number of ITINs assigned to
nonresident aliens. In fact, resident aliens have become the
primary users of the ITIN. In
1996, a total of 24,277 resident aliens were assigned ITINs, accounting for 40
percent of all ITINs issued. By 2006, a
total of 1,456,214 resident aliens were assigned ITINs, which accounted for 93 percent
of all ITINs issued. See Figure 2.
Figure 2: Comparison of ITINs Issued to Resident Versus
Nonresident Aliens
TY 1996 Through TY 2008[14]
Figure 2 was removed due to its size. To see Figure 2, please go to the Adobe PDF
version of the report on the TIGTA Public Web Page.[15]
This review was performed at the IRS Campus[16]
in
Despite the actions employers are required to take to verify an
individual’s eligibility to work, the IRS continues to receive millions of
Forms W-2 with a name and/or identifying number that does not match SSA records. Figure 3 identifies the number of Forms W-2 on
which the name and/or identifying number shown did not match SSA records.
Figure 3: Forms W-2 With Invalid Identification Numbers
TY 2003 through TY 2006
|
|
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
|
Forms W-2 Received |
226,575,000 |
231,146,000 |
238,030,000 |
243,283,000 |
|
Forms W-2 With Invalid Information |
7,811,000 |
7,990,000 |
9,210,000 |
9,201,000 |
|
Percent Invalid |
3.4% |
3.5% |
3.9% |
3.8% |
Source: TIGTA analysis of Forms W-2 on the IRS
Information Returns Master File.[17] Numbers were rounded to the nearest thousand.
The IRS is responsible for tax collection and enforcement in the
Further, any person required to file a tax return is required to include
an identifying number, referred to as a taxpayer identification number. For the majority of filers, the taxpayer
identification number is the individual’s SSN.[19] To obtain an SSN, an individual must submit
to the SSA an Application for a Social Security Card (Form SS-5) and prove his
or her age, identity, and
Non-U.S. citizens who do not have an employment
authorization must prove a valid nonwork reason for requesting an SSN in order
to receive one.[20] Consequently, many individuals are unable to
obtain an SSN. This presents a problem
for tax administration because the Internal Revenue Code requires foreign investors and individuals working without
authorization in the
Improvements Can Be Made to the Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Program
The IRS has initiated a number
of actions in an attempt to improve the processing of tax returns from
individuals who are unable to obtain an SSN.
These actions include:
·
Creating and issuing ITINs beginning in July 1996.
·
Establishing the ITIN Program Office in early Calendar
Year 2004. The mission of the office is
to ensure ITINs are issued timely to qualifying individuals and used only for
tax administration purposes.
·
Developing and issuing Understanding Your IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (Publication
1915) to assist the public in understanding the requirements to obtain an ITIN
as well as the specific purpose for which the ITIN is to be used.
·
Requiring applicants to attach a completed tax
return to the application for an ITIN.
·
Updating procedures to no longer issue ITINs on a
card like a social security card. This
change was to minimize or eliminate confusion between ITINs and SSNs that might
arise based on similar appearances.
·
Reducing the number of acceptable documents
required to be provided during the application process. This change was to provide individuals
applying for an ITIN with better, more consistent, and faster service.
An IRS
study identified that some ITIN applicants already had an ITIN.
Despite these efforts, improvements to the ITIN Program
are still needed. We identified the
following issues with the ITIN Program:
1.
Individuals
are assigned multiple ITINs.
2.
The ITINs
are being improperly used for employment.
3.
Incomplete or inaccurate information is being
input
to IRS systems from tax returns filed with ITINs.
4.
Billions
of dollars in tax credits are provided to ITIN filers without verification of
eligibility.
These problems stem from the fact that the IRS’ primary
focus is on ensuring individuals can obtain an ITIN, without ensuring that individuals
fully comply with ITIN Program requirements and guidelines.
Individuals are assigned multiple ITINs, which results
in the issuance of erroneous refunds
Assigning multiple ITINs to the same individual defeats the purpose of
the ITIN. Prior to the
establishment of the ITIN, tax returns filed by individuals who were not
eligible for SSNs were assigned temporary IRS numbers in order to process their
tax returns. The temporary IRS numbers were
associated with the tax return and not the individual filing the return. Subsequent tax returns filed by the same
individual were assigned different numbers.
Consequently, the same individual would have numerous IRS numbers
assigned to their tax returns without a common identifying number being assigned
to the individual. Without a permanent taxpayer
identification number assigned to each specific individual, the individual
could not be identified efficiently and reliably.
To address the problem of multiple identifying numbers being assigned to the same individual, the Code of Federal Regulations was changed in 1996 to provide for the issuance and use of ITINs.[21] The regulations were intended to address the concern by the IRS and the Department of the Treasury that, without a unique number, taxpayers could not be identified effectively.
A recent IRS study[22]
identified that 4 percent of individuals applying for ITINs were from
individuals that already had an ITIN assigned to them and that 30 percent of
these individuals were assigned multiple ITINs.
The study further estimated that approximately $60 million per year in
erroneous refunds were issued for ITIN cases routed to the Accounts Management
function. Some of the erroneous refunds
resulted from the same individual filing multiple tax returns under the
different identification numbers and receiving a tax refund for each. The
IRS study reported that the process used to ensure multiple ITINs are not
assigned to the same individual was inefficient. The inefficiencies included:
·
Checks
for duplicate status were not made until after the application for an ITIN was manually
entered into the ITIN Database.
·
Previously
rejected applications were not considered when processing a subsequent
application. IRS guidelines required
this check, but this was waived to improve the productivity of processing the ITIN
applications.
To address these issues, the study
recommended the development of new procedures to include a check for a
duplicate status before entering the ITIN application data and a process to
flag potential duplicates for further research.
The IRS cites that the new procedures have reduced the percentage of
individuals being assigned another ITIN to 6 percent. The IRS is attempting to reduce this
percentage further by streamlining local prescreening instructions for all Tax
Examiners. We have an ongoing audit that
will include an assessment of the efficiency and effectiveness of IRS
processing of Forms W-7.[23]
ITINs are improperly used for employment
Employers are reporting wage income under an
ITIN. The law establishing the ITIN
specifically states that the ITIN is not an SSN or an account number for use in
employment for wages.[24] IRS
guidelines reiterate this position by specifying that an ITIN is to be used for
Federal income tax purposes only and is not valid for work purposes. However, our review of TY 2006 Forms W-2
identified 292,992 employers that filed
790,455 Forms W-2 with ITINs reporting wages totaling more than $9.5
billion. The number of noncompliant
employers increased 15 percent from 253,742 in TY 2004 to 292,992 in TY
2006. See Figure 4 for comparative statistics.
Figure 4: Forms W-2 Filed With ITINs
|
TY |
Total |
Forms W-2 With ITIN Payee |
ITIN |
Total Wages Reported on ITIN |
Employers Reporting Wages on ITIN |
|
2004 |
231,145,713 |
912,697 |
911,861 |
$9,827,525,648 |
253,742 |
|
2005 |
238,030,192 |
672,329 |
672,015 |
$7,769,425,043 |
223,855 |
|
2006 |
243,282,891 |
790,701 |
790,455 |
$9,564,288,500 |
292,992 |
|
Total |
712,458,796 |
2,375,727 |
2,374,331 |
$27,161,239,191 |
770,589 |
Source: TIGTA analysis of Forms W-2 on the IRS
Information Returns Master File.
Although the IRS has data available to identify employers reporting wages and individuals improperly working under an ITIN, no significant actions are taken to address the noncompliance. The IRS’ position is that a liberal due diligence standard for employers serves an important role in tax administration.[25] This is despite prohibitions cited both within the law that established the ITIN and IRS guidelines. The former IRS Commissioner stated in Congressional testimony on February 16, 2006, “We must make sure that any change in the current system encourages the type of behavior that we desire from both employees and employers. Imposing procedures on employers that are too stringent or requiring too much documentation from employees may have the effect of driving certain economic activities ‘underground.’ At least now we are collecting some taxes in these areas, and we are working to collect even more.” The IRS continues to maintain this position.
The SSA has a program that each year sends a letter
(Employee No-Match Letter) to individuals the SSA identifies as having Forms W-2 with a name
and/or identifying number that does not match SSA records. Individuals with an ITIN on their Forms W-2
also receive an Employee No‑Match Letter.
The letter requests that the
individual check the reported information and provide the SSA and his/her
employer with corrected information. Furthermore,
the SSA had also been sending a similar letter to employers (Employer No-Match
Letters). In August 2007, a Federal
court issued an order temporarily blocking the government from implementing a
DHS rule, Safe Harbor Procedures for
Employers Who Receive a No-Match Letter.
The order also blocked the SSA from sending letters to notify employers
of the rule. While this matter is
pending, the SSA has also stopped sending the Employer No-Match Letters.
We believe the IRS should consider additional actions to
advise employees and employers in the instances that ITINs are being improperly
used for employment. Because the SSA already has a notice process,
the best method may be to provide information to the SSA so that the no-match
letters for these individuals (and their employers if these letters are
resumed) provide more specific information on the reason for the no-match and
the limitations of an ITIN.
Recommendation
The Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, should:
Recommendation 1: Develop a process to identify individuals who are improperly using ITINs for work purposes, as well as those employers accepting the ITIN for wage reporting, and develop outreach efforts with the SSA to address the improper use of the ITIN.
Management’s
Response: Management disagreed with this recommendation because the
SSA has a program in place called the Employee No-Match Letter that requests
correct information from individuals.
The SSA has also been sending similar letters to employers, but this was
suspended pending resolution of a court case.
Regardless of the current status of the Employer No-Match Letters, management
believes the SSA is the correct agency to work with the taxpayers and their
employers regarding this issue. IRS involvement
would be a duplication of the SSA efforts.
Office
of Audit Comment: Because the ITIN is a number issued by the
IRS, we believe it is the IRS’ responsibility to educate individuals and
employers of its limitations, especially in the instances that the IRS knows it
is being used for employment. Since our
recommendation was for the IRS to work with the SSA on this issue, it should
not result in duplicate efforts.
Incomplete or inaccurate information is being input to IRS systems from tax returns filed with ITINs[26]
Incomplete or inaccurate
information is being input into IRS systems when a tax return is filed with an
ITIN and an attached Form W-2 contains an SSN which does not belong to the individual
filing the tax return. Specifically, the
IRS does not transcribe information from Forms W-2 for paper-filed tax returns. In addition, some tax preparation software
packages automatically populate the identification number on the electronic
Form W-2 (for e-filed tax returns) with
the identification number reported on the tax return, i.e., the ITIN. This occurs even though there is an SSN on
the Form W-2 which does not belong to the individual filing the return. This automatic population feature diminishes
the potential benefits of receiving information from these e-filed returns.
Without an effective process to capture complete and accurate information
from both paper and e-filed
tax returns with an ITIN, the IRS will not have the data needed to make
informed business decisions as to the impact on tax administration resulting
from these mismatches. Improving its process
to identify tax returns that are filed with an ITIN and have an attached Form
W-2 with an SSN that does not belong to the return filer would facilitate the
IRS’ ability to determine the nature and extent of the mismatches and minimize
taxpayer burden related to the downstream effects of associating reported
income with the wrong wage earner.
No actions have been taken to capture Form W-2 information attached to paper returns filed by individuals with ITINs. In September 2002, an IRS task force recommended that an automated system be developed that would identify tax returns filed with an ITIN when the attached Forms W-2 listed an SSN that did not belong to that individual.[27] The IRS did not take this action, citing that it wanted to study the issue further. To date, there still has been no progress in developing a process to track ITIN-filed paper tax returns with a Form W-2 SSN not belonging to the individual filing the tax return.
To determine the number of ITIN-filed tax returns with a Form W-2 SSN
that did not belong to the individual, we
identified a population of 1,621,846 TY 2006 ITIN-filed tax returns with
reported wages more than $39.4 billion.[28] We
reviewed a random sample of 230 tax returns (86 e-filed and 144 paper filed) that had a total of 363 associated Forms
W-2 wages totaling more than $11.8 million. Our review of the 144 paper returns showed
that 203 (91 percent) of the 224 attached Forms W-2 contained an SSN that did not
belong to the individual filing the paper tax return. These mismatches are not captured by the IRS
because Form W-2 information is not transcribed from paper tax returns during
processing. We raised this issue in a
prior review, but the IRS’ position was that information is not transcribed
from paper returns because of the cost to develop and implement the required
procedures.[29]
The auto-populate feature in
tax preparation software packages diminishes the potential benefits cited in
support of the IRS changing its e-file
system. Prior to the 2007 Filing Season,[30] the IRS would reject e-filed tax returns with an ITIN when the Forms W-2 contained an
SSN not belonging to the individual e-filing
the tax return. The IRS reported that this led to some E-file Providers[31] replacing the SSN on the Forms W-2 with the
ITIN to prevent the tax return from being rejected. In an attempt to capture data about the
nature and extent of e-filed tax returns
filed with an ITIN and a Form W-2 containing an SSN that did not belong to
the individual filing the tax return, the IRS changed its e-file system to accept these tax returns for processing.
A number of
benefits to improve tax administration were listed in support of accepting
e-filed tax returns with SSN mismatches.
However, the benefits have not been realized.
In September 2006, the IRS concluded that a proposed change to
begin accepting e-filed tax returns with
mismatches is consistent with the “tenets of sound stewardship over tax administration.” In addition, accepting these tax returns via e-file “provides a mechanism to improve
service to
·
Provides
the IRS with an improved paper trail which could in turn be used to prevent the
negative downstream impact of unassigned SSN use within tax administration when
the SSN legitimately belongs to another individual.
·
Allows
the IRS to validate the appropriateness of a notice through reconciliation of
potentially unreported wages to an ITIN holder.
This would reduce burden to a taxpayer whose SSN has been used
inappropriately.
·
Enables
the IRS to obtain metrics to tailor outreach efforts to particular market
segments to potentially augment enforcement efforts.
The Senate Finance
Committee was concerned about the IRS’ decision to expand e-filing to these individuals.
The Senate Finance Committee questioned the rationale behind the IRS’
decision to make it easier to e-file
a tax return that contains a stolen or false SSN. The IRS responded that it changed its policy to allow e-filing to make the process consistent with paper returns. Further, according to the IRS:
A related benefit associated with
this change includes the fact that when tax returns are e-filed, the IRS
captures the Form W-2 data, a process that does not happen when tax returns are
filed on paper. Capturing the Form W-2
data enables the IRS to track the tax returns where wage income is reported
irrespective of whether the taxpayer identification number on the Form W-2
matches the taxpayer identification on the tax return. Without this information, if the name and SSN
used on the W-2 matches the name and SSN of an identity theft victim, the true
owner of the SSN would likely be contacted by the IRS to determine why he or
she had not report[ed] the W-2 income on their tax return. In these situations, the case is closed by [the]
IRS when the true owner of the SSN provides evidence that he or she was a
victim [of] identity theft.
Our initial review of the 86 e-filed tax returns included in the
sample previously described, showed that 77 (90 percent) had 115 associated Forms
W-2 with ITINs. To confirm the “auto‑populate”
problem, we reviewed the employers’ copies of the Form W-2 records reported to
the IRS for these 77 e-filed tax
returns. We identified 51 tax returns (66
percent) with 74 associated Forms W-2 with SSNs that were changed to ITINs. Specifically, the electronically captured
version of the Forms W-2 incorrectly listed the ITIN despite an SSN being
listed on the actual Forms W-2.[32] We estimate that 359,523 of the 660,436 TY 2006
ITIN e-filed tax returns contained
inaccurate Forms W-2 information.
To date, potential benefits cited by the IRS
have not been realized as no efforts have been taken to develop an effective
process to accurately capture the data from ITIN-filed tax returns and to use
it to improve tax administration.
Recommendations
The
Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division, should:
Recommendation 2: Coordinate with electronic tax software preparation companies to initiate actions to limit the automatic population feature of the taxpayer identification numbers on Forms W-2 for Forms W-2 associated with e-filed ITIN tax returns.
Managements Response: Management
agreed with this recommendation and has already implemented this
procedure. For TY 2007, the e-file program was revised to discourage
the filing of Forms W-2 containing ITINs.
The e‑file preparation
software containing the automatic feature that populated the ITIN from the
return to the Form W-2 field had to be disabled so that the ITINs would not be
captured as the identification number on the Forms W-2. The software should direct the user to input
the taxpayer identification number from the Form W-2 exactly as it was issued
by the employer. This information is
contained in Electronic Return File Specifications and Record Layouts for
Individual Tax Returns (Publication 1346), and we will continue to remind the
software companies of this issue.
Recommendation 3: Develop a process to ensure that accurate tax information is input into IRS systems from both paper and e-filed tax returns filed with an ITIN.
Management’s Response: Management disagreed with this recommendation. Management stated that e-file software should already direct the user to input the taxpayer
identification number from the Form W-2 exactly as it was issued by the
employer to ensure that accurate information is input into IRS systems. With regard to paper returns, it is currently
cost prohibitive to transcribe Form W-2 data during processing.
Office of Audit Comment: Without
correct wage reporting information, there is no wage matching to make sure the
amount reported as withheld is correct. Management
did not provide us information supporting their statement that transcribing the
information from Forms W-2 would be cost prohibitive.
Billions of dollars in tax credits are provided to ITIN filers without
verification of eligibility
ITIN filers are receiving billions of dollars in Child Tax
Credits (CTC) and Additional Child Tax Credits (ACTC) intended for working
families, although these individuals are not authorized to work in the
Figure 5 - Comparative Statistics of ITIN Taxpayers Allowed
the CTC and ACTC for TYs 2000, 2001, and 2004 through 2007[33]
|
Tax Year |
Total Tax Returns Filed |
Total Returns Allowed
CTC |
Total Amount |
Total Returns |
Total Amount of ACTC
Allowed |
|
2000 |
353,000 |
134,000 |
$90,000,000 |
62,000 |
$62,000,000 |
|
2001 |
530,000 |
195,000 |
$127,000,000 |
203,000 |
$161,000,000 |
|
2004 |
1,038,000 |
422,000 |
$326,000,000 |
626,000 |
$778,000,000 |
|
2005 |
1,312,000 |
538,000 |
$425,000,000 |
810,000 |
$1,063,000,000 |
|
2006 |
1,622,000 |
672,000 |
$544,000,000 |
1,016,000 |
$1,407,000,000 |
|
2007 |
1,835,000 |
774,000 |
$622,000,000 |
1,220,000 |
$1,777,000,000 |
Source: TIGTA
analysis of
The numbers were rounded to the nearest
thousand or million.
In
addition, the IRS in 2007 directed its Accounts Management employees ****2(e),
2(f)**** despite these employees raising significant concerns regarding abusive
claims. In most cases, the only
way a child with an ITIN can qualify for the CTC and ACTC is to be a resident
of the
Prior to the enactment of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997,[34] the tax law did not provide tax credits based solely on a taxpayer’s number of dependent children. Congress created the CTC and the ACTC because the individual income tax structure did not reduce tax liability enough to reflect a family’s reduced ability to pay taxes as family size increases. Congress further believed that a tax credit for families with dependent children would reduce the individual income tax burden for families, better recognize the financial responsibilities of raising dependent children, and promote family values.
For
TY 2006, the CTC can reduce an individual’s taxes owed by as much as $1,000 for
each qualifying child. The ACTC is given
in addition to the CTC to individuals who receive less than the full amount of
the CTC. The ACTC is a refundable
tax credit, which means an individual can receive a refund even if no
income tax was withheld or paid. To qualify for
the CTC and/or ACTC, a child must meet certain tests (see Appendix VI). The ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)**** test is of particular
importance for children that have an ITIN because a child must ****2(a), 2(e),
2(f)****
to qualify for the CTC and ACTC.[35]
****2(e), 2(f)****
Accounts Management function employees responsible for resolving errors
on tax returns, including those filed by individuals with an ITIN, raised concerns
to IRS management about its policies for handling errors on ITIN tax returns. These employees stated that management did
not take any subsequent action to address their concerns. A formal complaint was subsequently filed with
the TIGTA.
****3(d), 5****
Prior to management’s directive, Accounts Management employees were disallowing the CTC and/or ACTC when they determined the children were not eligible for the CTC and ACTC ****3(d), 5****. However, when this came to the attention of Headquarters, Accounts Management function, in May 2007, Local Procedures were issued stating that if, based on return information only, it appears that the CTC and/or ACTC are allowable per the assignment of ITINs, the employees must follow the taxpayer’s intent and allow the CTC and/or ACTC. Employees were told that ITINs are assigned without regard to ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)****. The employees told us they were directed only to ensure that children listed in support of claims for the CTC and/or ACTC met the age requirement. The employees also told us they were not to refer ITIN tax returns with potential fraud to the IRS Criminal Investigation Unit because the potential dollar amounts do not meet Criminal Investigation’s minimum dollar criteria. The employees believe managements’ change was made because research to determine ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)**** slowed their productivity and increased case inventories.
IRS management stated that the Local Procedures were issued because the information contained in the ITIN
Database does not provide enough information to be able to make a determination
as to whether the ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)**** has been met, particularly with respect to the
****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)**** test.[36]
Without sufficient information to make a clear determination, it is
necessary for the IRS to conduct an audit to afford taxpayers the opportunity
to provide documentation prior to denial of such a claim and to afford
taxpayers due process if denied, including a notice of deficiency and appeal
rights. Accounts Management employees
are not auditors. Their role is to
process claims.
Notwithstanding the basis for management’s decision, ****2(e), 2(f)**** despite employees raising significant concerns regarding abusive claims and the importance of having a process to validate ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)**** for ITIN filers with ACTC claims. As noted by IRS employees, information submitted with Form W-7 and/or information stored in the ITIN Database could be used to identify children being claimed for the CTC and/or ACTC ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)****.
The following text contains a hypothetical example of the type of improper claim that is being allowed by the IRS:
****2(e), 2(f)****
Legislation should be considered to require
an SSN in order to be eligible for the Additional Child Tax Credit consistent
with the requirements for the Earned Income Tax Credit
Prior to 1996, ITIN filers were entitled to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit. However, concerns were raised by the Government Accountability Office, the IRS, and Congress regarding noncompliance with Earned Income Tax Credit requirements. The Government Accountability Office reported that awarding the Earned Income Tax Credit to illegal aliens[37] was at cross purposes with Federal Government policies that prohibit illegal aliens from working in the U.S.[38] The law was subsequently changed to deny the Earned Income Tax Credit to individuals who file a tax return without an SSN valid for work.[39] As such, ITIN filers are not eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credit. In addition, the IRS was given the authority to systemically identify these claims and disallow the portion of the refund associated with the erroneous Earned Income Tax Credit claim through the use of its “math error authority.”[40]
The change in the law was made prior to the establishment of
the ACTC. However, the language of the
law is such that it could be interpreted to apply to the ACTC. It prohibits aliens residing without
authorization in the
Any grant, contract, loan, professional license, or commercial license provided by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States; and any retirement, welfare, health, disability, public or assisted housing, postsecondary education, food assistance, unemployment benefit, or any other similar benefit for which payments or assistance are provided to an individual, household, or family eligibility unit by an agency of the United States or by appropriated funds of the United States.
The ACTC is paid with appropriated funds and is provided only after any income taxes are totally offset by other credits, such as the CTC. As shown in Figure 5, the amount of ACTC allowed to ITIN filers has increased substantially, from $62 million for TY 2000 to almost $1.8 billion for TY 2007. The number of tax returns allowed the ACTC increased from 62,000 to more than 1.2 million for the same period. Each ITIN filer receiving the ACTC owed no taxes.
IRS management’s view is that the law does not provide sufficient legal authority for the IRS to disallow the ACTC to ITIN filers. In addition, the Internal Revenue Code does not require an SSN to claim the credit and does not provide the IRS math error authority to deny the credit without an examination.
We believe legislation is needed to clarify whether or not
refundable tax credits such as the ACTC may be paid to filers without an SSN
and, if these credits may not be paid, to provide IRS math error authority to
disallow associated claims for the credits.
This would not affect claims for the CTC to reduce taxable income, but
would stop the payment of appropriated funds associated with the ACTC. Such a legislative change could result in
cost savings to the Federal Government of $1.8 billion annually ($8.9 billion
dollars over 5 years). As it now stands,
the payment of Federal funds through this tax benefit appears to provide an
additional incentive for aliens to enter, reside, and work in the
Limiting the ACTC to only those filers with SSNs would also address the concern ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)**** before allowing the ACTC. If a change in eligibility is not made, at a minimum, a process is needed to verify whether or not taxpayers without SSNs are eligible to receive the ACTC and to disallow improper claims. IRS employees have provided examples of the abuse and how the IRS can use its information to address this abuse.
Recommendation
Recommendation
4: The Commissioner, Wage and
Investment Division, should develop a
process to ensure the ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)****
being claimed for the CTC and/or ACTC.
This process should ensure ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)****.
Management’s Response: Management disagreed with this recommendation. Absent a legislative change, the IRS does not
have legal authority to verify and disallow the CTC and/or ACTC based on
****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)**** during return processing. The
current process for verification of eligibility is an examination, where the
taxpayer would need to provide ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)****. The solution to this would be addressed by
the proposed legislation in Recommendation 5 below.
Office of Audit Comment: While
management states that it disagrees with the recommendation, management also
states on page 4 of the response that its “SP [Submission Processing] and
Reporting Compliance organizations are partnering in a pilot to explore options
to better identify false claims for examination.” This appears as if it is intended to address
our recommendation, so the basis for disagreement is not clear. We do agree that this recommendation would be
addressed by Recommendation 5 for the ACTC if legislation was enacted to
require an SSN to claim the ACTC.
Legislative Recommendation
Recommendation
5: Legislation is needed to clarify whether or
not refundable tax credits such as the ACTC may be paid to filers without an SSN
and, if these credits may not be paid, to provide IRS math error authority to
disallow associated claims for the credits.
Disallowance of the ACTC to filers without an SSN would reduce Federal
outlays by $8.9 billion over 5 years.
Management’s Response: Management agreed with this recommendation. The Wage and Investment Division, in coordination
with the Office of Chief Counsel, will discuss with the Office of Tax Policy,
Department of the Treasury, the merits of an administration proposal to amend
the Internal Revenue Code to limit eligibility for the CTC and ACTC to
individuals who have an SSN issued by the SSA other than a number issued to an
alien not authorized to work in the U.S.
This discussion with the Office of Tax Policy will include a dialogue on
the merits of a proposal to expand the Commissioner’s math error authority to
any claims for the credits made on returns that are disallowed because the
individual did not provide the required identifying number.
Detailed Objective, Scope, and Methodology
The overall
objective of this review was to determine whether the IRS has proper controls
in place to detect and deter improper use of ITINs when processing tax
returns. To accomplish our objective,
we:
I. Researched IRS, DHS, SSA, and Government Accountability Office web sites, forms, publications, reports, Congressional testimony, and other documentation for background information pertaining to ITINs and to determine employers’ legal obligations for hiring employees.
II. Researched the Internal Revenue Code, Federal regulations, and Federal income tax laws for information pertaining to ITINs and for information pertaining to the CTC.
III. Conducted computer analyses to identify trends and characteristics of individual tax returns or Wage and Income Statements (Form W-2) containing ITINs and compared the results to information reported in a prior TIGTA report.[43]
A. Conducted computer analysis to identify from the IRS Returns Transaction File[44] all individual income tax returns[45] processed in Calendar Years 2005 through 2008 that were filed by a primary taxpayer[46] with an ITIN and reported wages. We assessed the reliability of the Returns Transaction File by performing run-to-run balancing and verifying a sample of all fields against the IRS Integrated Data Retrieval System.[47] The Returns Transaction File data appeared to be reasonably accurate for the purpose of this audit.
1. Conducted computer analysis to identify the preparers of e-filed returns in the universe of 1,621,846 TY 2006 returns. We contacted 4 of the top 10 preparers to determine if their tax preparation software automatically overwrites the employee identification number on the Form W-2.
2. Conducted computer analysis to identify the number of returns allowed the CTC or the ACTC and the total credits allowed for TY 2004 through TY 2007.
a) Obtained the same information for TY 2000 and TY 2001 from TIGTA report, The Internal Revenue Service’s Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Creates Significant Challenges for Tax Administration (Reference Number 2004-30-023, dated January 2004).
3. We separated the universe of 1,621,846 TY 2006 returns into 3 strata: 1) 1,620,822 returns with wages ranging from $1 to $99,999; 2) 1,011 returns with wages ranging from $100,000 to $499,999; and 3) 13 returns with wages of $500,000 and more. We used statistical sampling to identify and review 203 returns from stratum 1 and 18 returns from stratum 2. We used a confidence level of 95 percent, a precision level of ± 3 percent, and an expected error rate of 5 percent for our sampling criteria. We intended to review the 13 returns in stratum 3, but only 9 returns were available. In summary, we reviewed a sample of 230 returns from the universe.
a) Determined if the names and identification numbers on the Forms W-2 belonged to the individuals filing the returns by researching IRS records and SSA information.
b) For the e-filed returns, determined if the taxpayers’ names and identification numbers on the attached Forms W-2 were accurately input into IRS systems.
B. Determined the growth in ITIN returns between TY 2001 and TY 2007. We obtained the TY 2001 data from TIGTA report, The Internal Revenue Service’s Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Creates Significant Challenges for Tax Administration (Reference Number 2004-30-023, dated January 2004).
C. Obtained an extract of the IRS ITIN Database[48] and queried the data to determine the volumes of ITINs issued to resident aliens and nonresident aliens in Calendar Years 1996 through 2008. We established the reliability of the IRS ITIN Database extract by comparing the yearly totals in the ITIN Database to figures received separately from the IRS. We also verified the data for several records by conducting an online query of the IRS ITIN Database and by comparing the records to information on the ITIN Database and on the Integrated Data Retrieval System. The ITIN Database data appeared to be reasonably accurate for the purpose of this audit.
D. Conducted computer analysis to identify from the IRS Information Returns Master File[49] the number of Forms W-2 received by the IRS and the number of invalid Forms W-2 for TY 2003 through TY 2006. We assessed the reliability of the Information Returns Master File by performing run-to-run balancing and verifying a sample of all fields against the Integrated Data Retrieval System. The Information Returns Master File data appeared to be reasonably accurate for the purpose of this audit.
E. Conducted computer analysis to identify from the IRS Information Returns Master File all Forms W-2 for TY 2004 through TY 2006 that reported an ITIN in the box for the employee’s SSN.
IV. Met with IRS personnel in the Accounts Management function to discuss issues involving individual income tax returns containing ITINs.
A. Reviewed documentation provided by the Accounts Management function personnel and reviewed IRS procedures for correcting returns with errors involving claims for the CTC or ACTC.
B. Reviewed Government Accountability Office report, Earned Income Credit – Targeting to the Working Poor (GAO/GGD-95-122BR, dated March 1995) for information regarding their concerns about awarding the Earned Income Tax Credit to illegal aliens.
Appendix II
Major Contributors to This Report
Michael
E. McKenney, Assistant Inspector General for Audit (Returns
Processing and Account Services)
Russell
P. Martin, Director
Gary
L. Young, Audit Manager
Sharon
A. Buford, Lead Auditor
Elizabeth
A. Miller, Senior Auditor
Tina
M. Parmer, Senior Auditor
Steven
E. Vandigriff, Senior Auditor
Van
A. Warmke, Senior Auditor
Martha A. Stewart, Information Technology
Specialist
Appendix III
Commissioner C
Office of the
Commissioner – Attn: Chief of Staff C
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for Tax Policy
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement SE
Deputy Commissioner, Wage and Investment Division SE:W
Director, Compliance, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:CP
Director, Customer Account Services, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:CAS
Director, ETA and Refundable Credits, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:ETARC
Director, Strategy and Finance, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:S
Director, Accounts Management, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:CAS:AM
Director, Reporting Compliance, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:CP:RC
Director, Submission Processing, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:CAS:SP
Program Manager, Automated Underreporter Program, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:CP:RC:AUR
Program Manager, ITIN Program Office, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:CAS:SP:ITIN
Chief, Performance Improvement, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:S:PI
Chief Counsel CC
National Taxpayer Advocate TA
Director, Office of Legislative Affairs CL:LA
Director, Office of
Program Evaluation and Risk Analysis
RAS:O
Office of Internal
Control OS:CFO:CPIC:IC
Audit Liaison: Senior Operations Advisor, Wage and Investment Division SE:W:S
Appendix IV
This appendix presents detailed information on the measurable impact that our recommended corrective actions will have on tax administration. These benefits will be incorporated into our Semiannual Report to Congress.
Type and Value of Outcome Measure:
Methodology Used to Measure the Reported Benefit:
We used computer analysis to identify from the IRS Returns Transaction File[50] a universe of 1,621,846 TY 2006 individual tax returns filed by a primary taxpayer with an ITIN and reporting wages. The returns were processed by the IRS Submission Processing sites during 2007 and were posted to the Individual Master File.[51] We separated the universe of 1,621,846 TY 2006 returns into 3 strata: 1) 1,620,822 returns with wages ranging from $1 to $99,999; 2) 1,011 returns with wages ranging from $100,000 to $499,999; and 3) 13 returns with wages of $500,000 and more. We used statistical sampling to identify and review 203 returns from stratum 1 and 18 returns from stratum 2. We used a confidence level of 95 percent, a precision factor of ± 3 percent, and an expected error rate of 5 percent for our sampling criteria. We intended to review the 13 returns in stratum 3, but only 9 returns were available. In summary, we reviewed a sample of 230 returns from the universe.
The 230 returns (86 e-filed and 144 paper-filed) had 363 Forms W-2 attached to the returns with wages totaling more than $11.8 million. We examined the 86 e-filed returns and found that 77 (90 percent) had 115 (83 percent) attached Forms W-2 with ITINs.[52] Based on the results, we suspected that the tax return software was overwriting an employee’s SSN on the Form W-2 to match the return filer’s ITIN reported on the return.
To verify our suspicion, we used the wage amount and employer identification number on the attached Form W-2 and researched the Information Returns Master File[53] to find the “true” employee SSN that was reported on the Form W-2 and submitted by the employer. We found that 51 (66 percent) of the 77 e-filed returns had 74 attached Forms W-2s that showed a different employee SSN than the employee SSN actually reported by the employer.
Based on the sample results, we estimate that the population contains 359,523 e-filed returns with 503,303 Forms W-2 affected by the tax return software’s overwrite feature. We are 95 percent confident that number of affected e-filed returns in the population is between 266,686 and 452,360 (the margin of error is ± 92,837). In addition, we are 95 percent confident that the number of affected Forms W-2 is between 346,869 and 659,737 (the margin of error is ± 156,434).
Type and Value of Outcome Measure:
· Cost Savings (Funds Put to Better Use) – Potential; ACTC payments of $1.8 billion on 1,219,643 TY 2007 individual tax returns; $8.9 billion ACTC over 5 years (see page 6). It should be noted that realization of this outcome measure is contingent upon interpretation or enactment of legislation (see page 17).
Methodology Used to Measure the Reported Benefit:
We used computer analysis to identify from the IRS Returns Transaction File a universe of 1,835,035 TY 2007 individual tax returns filed by a primary taxpayer with an ITIN and reporting wages. The returns were processed by the IRS Submission Processing sites during 2008 and were posted to the Individual Master File. We analyzed the returns in the universe and determined that 568,998 returns were allowed the ACTC only of $755,914,567. None of these 568,998 returns were allowed the CTC because they did not have any tax liability after other offsetting credits. We also determined that 650,645 returns were allowed both the CTC of $434,294,565 and ACTC of $1,020,825,261. In summary, a total of 1,219,643 returns were allowed the ACTC of $1,776,739,828, or almost $1.8 billion annually. If the tax law is changed to discontinue the ACTC for ITIN filers, ACTC payments of $8.9 billion over 5 years could be put to better use. The $8.9 billion was computed by multiplying $1,776,739,828 by 5.
Appendix V
Methods for Employers to Verify Work Eligibility
To
assist employers in meeting new hire verification procedures, the SSA provides
various methods for employers to
verify work eligibility. These methods
include the Employee Verification Services, which provide both paper and
telephone/fax options, and the Social Security Number Verification Service,
which provides online employee SSN verification. The SSA provides employers with instructions
on what to do if an SSN fails to verify.
The DHS is responsible for identifying and
classifying the work status of foreign individuals in the
This program is important because while the SSA is required to provide unauthorized employment information to the DHS, the DHS does not have to notify the SSA when a person’s work status changes from unauthorized to authorized. Therefore, unless the individual notifies the SSA, the SSA information will have incorrect work statuses. By working together with both the DHS and the SSA, the E-Verify program provides the ability to compare both databases to provide an employer with the current employment eligibility of an individual.
While
use of the E-Verify program currently encompasses only 1 percent of employers,
usage is growing by about 1,000 employers per week, and by summer 2008 the
program had approximately 90,000 employers.
To help in this effort, 15 States have passed legislation requiring, either explicitly or
implicitly, that certain employers within those States participate in the E-Verify
program. Other States have pending
legislation that would require certain employers to register and utilize the E-Verify
program.
Some of the differences in the DHS E-Verify
program and the various SSA programs are shown in Figure 7.
Figure 7: Characteristics of the E-Verify Program and
the SSA’s Various Employer Verification Programs
|
Verification
Programs |
Verifies
users identity |
Uses
name matching software |
Provides
a death indicator response |
Verifies
information without providing corrected SSN |
Verifies work |
|
EVS
Telephone/Fax ERSC[56] (SSA) |
No |
N/A |
No |
N/A |
No |
|
EVS
Telephone/Fax Teleservice Center (SSA) |
No |
N/A |
Yes[57] |
N/A |
Yes[58] |
|
EVS
Registered Users (SSA) |
No |
No |
Yes |
No |
No |
|
SSNVS
(SSA) |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
|
E-Verify |
No |
Yes |
Yes4 |
Yes |
Yes |
Source: SSA Office of the Inspector General Report, Controls Over Employee Verification Programs (A-03-06-15036, dated September 2007).
EVS =Employee Verification Service and SSNVS = Social Security Number Verification Service.
Appendix VI
Rules for Claiming the Child Tax Credit and the Additional Child
Tax Credit
The child must meet all five tests listed below to qualify for the CTC and ACTC.
1. The child must be the taxpayer’s son, daughter, stepchild, foster child, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, or a descendant of any of them (for example, a grandchild, niece, or nephew).
2. The child must be under age 17 at the end of the tax year.
3. The child must not have provided over one-half of his or her own support for the tax year.
4. The child must have lived with the taxpayer for more than one-half of the tax year.[59]
5. The child must be a
Appendix VII
Management’s Response to the Draft Report
The response was
removed due to its size. To see the
response, please go to the Adobe PDF version of the report on the TIGTA Public
Web Page.
[1] Generally for obtaining Government benefits (Federal, State, or local) to which the individual is entitled.
[2] IRS Lean Six Sigma study entitled, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, Control Tollgate, dated February 21, 2008. The data contained in the study were collected in October and November 2007 and were not statistically valid for the entire applicant pool, but rather were used as a basis point specifically for the Tax Examiner prescreening process.
[3] Treas. Reg. § 301.6109.
[4] An SSN is needed for work purposes, but if an individual is not eligible for an SSN, an SSN may be used that does not belong to this individual.
[5] The
Government Accountability Office defined an “illegal alien” as a foreign person
who is in the
[6] Earned Income Credit – Targeting to the Working Poor (GAO/GGD-95-122BR, dated March 1995).
[7]
Personal Responsibility and Work
[8] Math error authority provides the IRS with the ability to systemically identify errors and disallow associated claims for refunds associated with the erroneous claims.
[9] Photographs are not required for dependents under age 14 or under age 18 if a student.
[10] The Internal Revenue Service’s Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Creates Significant Challenges for Tax Administration (Reference Number 2004-30-023, dated January 2004).
[11] The Returns Transaction File contains all edited, transcribed, and error-corrected data from the U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns (Form 1040 series) and related forms for the current processing year and 2 prior years.
[12] 26 U.S.C. § 7701.
[13] It is important to note that the definition of “U.S. Resident Alien” differs for immigration laws versus the tax laws. Throughout this report, we are referring to the tax law definition.
[14] Figures presented are not inclusive of the entire ITIN population. There is a small percentage of additional categories not reflected. However, these categories make up only 5 percent of the total ITIN population and by 2008 accounted for only 3 percent of the ITINs issued that year.
[15] The ITIN Database (also known as the ITIN Real-Time System) is a modernized application processing system used to control and track Forms W-7 and Acceptance Agent Applications. It also provides management information.
[16] The campuses are the data processing arm of the IRS. They process paper and electronic submissions, correct errors, and forward data to the Computing Centers for analysis and posting to taxpayer accounts.
[17] The Information Returns Master File contains tax information reported from third parties for the current and prior 5 tax years.
[18] The
exemption amount here refers to a combination of personal exemptions and the
standard deduction and is based on a combination of filing status, age, and
blindness. This information is
summarized for
[19] 26 C.F.R. 301.6109-1.
[20] Generally for obtaining Government benefits (Federal, State, or local) to which the individual is entitled.
[21] Treas. Reg. § 301.6109.
[22] IRS Lean Six Sigma study entitled, Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, Control Tollgate, dated February 21, 2008. The data contained in the study were collected in October and November 2007 and were not statistically valid for the entire applicant pool, but rather were used as a basis point specifically for the Tax Examiner prescreening process.
[23] Processing Applications for Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (Audit # 200940006).
[24] Treas. Reg. § 301.6109.
[25] If an employer makes or repeats a request for an accurate SSN, it has performed due diligence and has reasonable cause to believe the SSN is correct. As a result, under I.R.C. § 6724, a penalty assessed against an employer under I.R.C. § 6721 will be abated.
[26] An SSN is needed for work purposes, but if an individual is not eligible for an SSN, an SSN may be used that does not belong to this individual.
[27]
Internal Revenue Service Individual Taxpayer
Identification Number (ITIN) National Task Force Final Report, dated September 11, 2002.
[28] ****2(a), 2(e), 2(f)****.
[29] The Internal Revenue Service’s Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Creates Significant Challenges for Tax Administration (Reference Number 2004-30-023, dated January 2004).
[30] The period from January through mid-April when most individual income tax returns are filed.
[31] An E-file Provider is a business authorized by the IRS to participant in IRS e-file. The business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other entity. Authorized IRS E-file Providers facilitate the filing of electronic tax returns from taxpayers to the IRS.
[32] See Appendix IV for the sampling methodology.
[33] The data in Figure 5 are based on actual population data of tax returns filed by a primary taxpayer with an ITIN and reporting wages. If a return was allowed the CTC and ACTC, the return was counted under both categories. TY 2000 and TY 2001 data were obtained from TIGTA report, The Internal Revenue Service’s Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Creates Significant Challenges for Tax Administration (Reference Number 2004-30-023, dated January 2004). TY 2004 through TY 2007 data were obtained from computer analysis of the IRS Returns Transaction File. We did not analyze TY 2002 and TY 2003 data during this review.
[34] Pub. L. No. 105-34, 111 Stat. 788 (codified as amended in scattered sections of 5 U.S.C., 19 U.S.C., 26 U.S.C., 29 U.S.C., 31 U.S.C., 42 U.S.C., and 46 U.S.C. app.).
[35] I.R.C. § 24.
[36] To meet the substantial presence test, an individual must be physically present in the U.S. on at least 31 days during the current year, and 183 days during the 3-year period that includes the current year and the 2 years immediately before.
[37] The
Government Accountability Office defined an “illegal alien” as a foreign person
who is in the
[38] Earned Income Credit – Targeting to the Working Poor (GAO/GGD-95-122BR, dated March 1995).
[39]
Personal Responsibility and Work
[40] Math error authority provides the IRS with the ability to systemically identify errors and disallow associated claims for refunds associated with the erroneous claims.
[41] Except for specified emergency services and programs.
[42] P.L. 104-193 § 401(c).
[43] The Internal Revenue Service’s Individual Taxpayer Identification Number Creates Significant Challenges for Tax Administration (Reference Number 2004-30-023, dated January 2004).
[44] The Returns Transaction File contains all edited, transcribed, and error-corrected data from the U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns (Form 1040 series) and related forms for the current processing year and 2 prior years.
[45] The individual income tax returns included Form 1040, Form 1040A, and Form 1040EZ.
[46] A primary taxpayer is the first name and SSN reported on an individual tax return. If a joint return is filed, a secondary taxpayer is the second name and SSN, e.g., spouse, reported on the return.
[47] IRS computer system capable of retrieving or updating stored information; it works in conjunction with a taxpayer’s account records.
[48] The ITIN Database is a modernized application processing system used to control and track Applications for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (Form W-7) and Acceptance Agent Applications. It also provides management information.
[49] The Information Returns Master File contains tax information reported from third parties for the current and prior 5 tax years.
[50] The Returns Transaction File contains all edited, transcribed, and error-corrected data from the U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns (Form 1040 series) and related forms for the current processing year and 2 prior years.
[51] The IRS database that maintains transactions or records of individual tax accounts.
[52] The 86 e-filed returns had 139 Forms W-2 attached to the returns.
[53] The Information Returns Master File contains tax information reported from third parties for the current and prior 5 tax years.
[54] Pub. L. No. 104 -208, 110 Stat. 3009–546 (1996).
[55] Responsibility for oversight of the verification pilot program was assigned to the Attorney General, who assists and coordinates the departments involved.
[56] Within the
SSA, there are two components primarily responsible for phone verifications –
[57] While the program does not specifically note that the agency’s records showed a death, the program will not verify any data related to an individual shown as deceased in the agency’s records.
[58] While the program does not specifically note that the agency’s records showed the individual was unauthorized to work, the program will not verify any record related to an individual recorded as unauthorized to work in the Agency’s records.
[59] Child Tax Credit (Publication 972) contains some exceptions to the time lived with the taxpayer.
[60] A