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Published:   |   Last Updated: October 18, 2024

Work with the IRS as the IRS implements plans to modernize processing through the Paperless Processing Initiative.

Background

Hundreds of millions of taxpayers file their tax returns with the IRS annually. For many Americans, it is the only experience they have with the IRS, so providing efficient filing and processing systems is paramount to effective tax administration. The effects of paper processing ripple throughout the IRS, decreasing administrative efficiency and increasing taxpayer burden. Paper processing not only creates backlogs in the processing of mailed tax forms and correspondence, but it also negatively impacts elements of the taxpayer experience, including telephone line wait times, timeliness of refunds, and document storage costs. The IRS Paperless Processing Initiative seeks to mitigate the impacts of paper submissions and reduce the burden of paper filing on taxpayers. As part of the initiative, the IRS launched the Document Upload Tool (DUT), which allows taxpayers to securely upload documents to the IRS but still requires the IRS to manually process on the back end. The initiative has set an ambitious goal to accomplish paperless processing (scanning and digitalization) of all tax and information returns by the 2025 filing season.

Highlights

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Status

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Expected Completion Date

09/30/2025

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Activities

Activity 1: Monitor the IRS implementation of the Paperless Processing Initiative, including scanning technology and digitalization to process paper-filed IRS forms and correspondence and the expansion of electronic filing eligible tax forms, and make administrative recommendations as needed to minimize taxpayer burden.

Activity 2: Provide recommendations to allow perfection of electronically filed tax returns rejected solely based on electronic filing criteria and the creation of an appropriate treatment stream for resolving discrepancies.

Activity 3: Monitor the inventory and processing of amended returns, including ERC claims, and provide recommendations to improve the processing timeframe and transparency about the length of time and reasons for delays.

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Actions Completed

1st Quarter

Quarterly update on the identified activities

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Next Steps

Projected next actions