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Rettig Asks Tax Counsels for Help in Low-Income Stimulus Outreach

Posted on Apr. 6, 2020

The IRS will intensify its outreach “beyond the normal tax-related outlets” to make sure all eligible individuals receive coronavirus economic relief funds, the IRS commissioner said.

Commissioner Charles Rettig appealed to the American College of Tax Counsel (ACTC) April 3 to help get the word out about the relief payments.

“By early next week we will have specific information available about how people can go online to provide information (others could file an informational “zero” return) and, if they also provide banking information, they could receive their Economic Impact Payment quickly by direct deposit,” Rettig said in an email to the ACTC obtained by Tax Notes.

Low-income tax clinic operators and others who serve the elderly, non-English speakers, and various tax return nonfilers have expressed concerns about the equitable distribution of billions of dollars of economic impact payments from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (P.L. 116-136). The Treasury Department recently confirmed that senior citizens and the disabled will not have to file tax returns to get their stimulus money, but questions remain about the extent and effectiveness of outreach to the disadvantaged.

Rettig’s email to the ACTC encouraged its fellows to circulate information “we will soon be providing far and wide, and especially providing assistance in getting this information beyond the normal tax-related outlets.”

The IRS commissioner’s message included PDF posters in multiple languages explaining the coronavirus tax relief and how most taxpayers can access it.

Rettig’s email cited tax controversy attorney Frank Agostino and the Taxpayer Advocate Service for contacting LITCs, the IRS Advisory Council, and the Taxpayer Advocacy Panel for outreach assistance.

“Many smart, creative folks are sheltering at home looking for a cause they (or the PR departments of their firms) can support remotely . . . we have one — we need to spread this information quickly, into every local community,” Rettig wrote.

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