The IRS has new technology for taxpayers

For the first time, the IRS is using barcode technology to make it easier for people to interact with the IRS.

The IRS recently sent notices to millions of people which have included the barcode in the notice. The CP 14 and CP14 IA notices inform people that they have unpaid taxes.

You can now use your smartphone to scan a QR code in the notice and go directly to the IRS website IRS.gov and securely access your account.

This technology will allow you to set up a payment plan with the IRS or contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). TAS is an office that is independent of the IRS, who personally assist taxpayers in resolving their problems with the Internal Revenue Service

“These codes will give taxpayers immediate access to the most important information for them to pay their balances, set up payment agreements or reach out for help” said Darren Guillot, the IRS Small Business/Self-Employed Deputy Commissioner for Collection and Operations Support. “We understand there’s a lot of information on the web, and we want to give taxpayers more secure tools that can more easily help them resolve their tax situations”

The IRS typically sends more than 8 million CP14 notices to taxpayers each year.

“This will help make the entire process easier for taxpayers,” Guillot said.  Fortunately, I had the honor of meeting Darren at an ASTPS tax seminar in Las Vegas and was very impressed with his professionalism. Additionally, I had the opportunity to discuss the IRS scenario during a phone call with him. Due to cutbacks in IRS employees, providing the necessary services has become more challenging for their staff.

Fortunately, the IRS has been working on new technologies for taxpayers for several years, which should help their dilemma.

The IRS is assessing the possibility of adding other QR codes to other notices for people with tax balances.

As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, correspondence with the IRS has become even slower and more challenging. The new barcode technology will allow people to more efficiently correspond with the IRS to resolve their tax matter.

For questions about the new barcode technology, I can be reached at my contact information below.

David Zubler is a tax accountant and Enrolled Agent in East Tennessee, providing tax strategies and representing clients before the IRS and has over 25 years of tax experience. He is the author of four tax books and is the founder and president of Your Tax Care. The company provides business and tax education to the public at its website, YourTaxCare.com. David can be reached at (865) 363-3019 or contacted by email at david@yourtaxcare.com.