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GAO Issues Report on Stimulus Checks During COVID-19 Pandemic, GAO Report: Stimulus Checks–Direct Payments to Individuals during the COVID-19 Pandemic (GAO-22-106044)

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report on stimulus checks during the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. From April 2020 to December 2021, the federal government made direct payments to taxpayers totaling $931 billion to address pandemic-related financial stress.

Report Findings

Some eligible taxpayers never received payments. Eligible taxpayers can still claim their payments through October 17. There were challenges for the Service and Treasury to get payments especially to nonfilers, or those who were not required to file tax returns. Taxpayers who think they may be eligible but did not receive the third economic impact payment (EIP) or child tax credit (CTC) can request an extension and file a simplified return at https://www.childtaxcredit.gov/. Although no new EIP and advance CTC payments are underway, the Treasury and Service could learn to manage other refundable tax credits such as the earned income tax credit (EITC). Further, the IRS’s new Taxpayer Experience Office could help improve outreach and improve taxpayer experience.

Recommendations

GAO made two recommendations. First, the Treasury and IRS could use available data to update their estimate of eligible taxpayers to better tailor and redirect their ongoing outreach and communications efforts for similar tax credits. Second, both agencies could focus on improving interagency collaboration. They could use data to assess their efforts to educate more taxpayers about refundable tax credits and eligibility requirements.

2025 Standard Mileage Rates Released (Notice 2025-5; IR-2024-312)

The IRS released the optional standard mileage rates for 2025. Most taxpayers may use these rates to compute deductible costs […]

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2025 Standard Mileage Rates Released (Notice 2025-5; IR-2024-312)

IRS Introduces New Measures to Combat Tax Scams During 2025 Filing Season (IR-2025-12)

The IRS, in partnership with the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats (CASST), has unveiled new initiatives for the 2025 […]

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IRS Introduces New Measures to Combat Tax Scams During 2025 Filing Season (IR-2025-12)

IRS Reminds Taxpayers of Disaster Deadlines (IR-2025-1)

The IRS reminded disaster-area taxpayers that they have until February 3, 2025, to file their 2023 returns, in the entire […]

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IRS Reminds Taxpayers of Disaster Deadlines (IR-2025-1)

IRS to Issue Automatic Recovery Rebate Credit Payments for 2021 Tax Year (IR-2024-314)

The IRS has announced plans to issue automatic payments to eligible individuals who failed to claim the Recovery Rebate Credit on their […]

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IRS to Issue Automatic Recovery Rebate Credit Payments for 2021 Tax Year (IR-2024-314)

FL - Motor vehicle sales tax rates by state issued

Florida has issued motor vehicle sales tax rates by state as of January 15, 2025. Florida law allows a partial […]

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FL - Motor vehicle sales tax rates by state issued

FL - 2025 governmental leasehold intangible tax valuation factor table released

For purposes of calculating the 2025 intangible personal property tax on governmental leaseholds, the Florida Department of Revenue has issued […]

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FL - 2025 governmental leasehold intangible tax valuation factor table released

Security Summit Urges Updating Digital Security to Prevent Identity Theft, IR-2024-306

The IRS, along with Security Summit partners, urged businesses and individual taxpayers to update their security measures and practices to protect against […]

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Security Summit Urges Updating Digital Security to Prevent Identity Theft, IR-2024-306

2024 Required Amendments List Issued, Notice 2024-82

The IRS has issued its 2024 Required Amendments List (2024 RA List) for individually designed employee retirement plans. RA Lists […]

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2024 Required Amendments List Issued, Notice 2024-82

IRS Reminds Low- and Moderate-Income Taxpayers of Saver’s Credit to Save Retirement Savings in 2025 and Future Years, IR-2024-298

The IRS reminded low- and moderate-income taxpayers to save for retirement now and possibly earn a tax credit in 2025 […]

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IRS Reminds Low- and Moderate-Income Taxpayers of Saver’s Credit to Save Retirement Savings in 2025 and Future Years, IR-2024-298

IRS and Security Summit Partners Warn Against Bad Tax Advice on Social Media, IR-2024-302

The IRS and Security Summit partners issued a consumer alert regarding the increasing risk of misleading tax advice on social media, which […]

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IRS and Security Summit Partners Warn Against Bad Tax Advice on Social Media, IR-2024-302