NTA Comments on Implementing Tax Reform

National Taxpayer Advocate (NTA) Nina E. Olson's Fiscal Year 2019 Objectives Report to Congress notes that “the IRS is facing the herculean task of implementing tax reform, which the IRS says involves programming 140 systems, writing or revising 450 forms and publications, and issuing some form of guidance about dozens of Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) provisions. The IRS also is substantially revising Form 1040 and must train its employees – particularly outreach employees and telephone assistors – in light of the significant changes in the law. It’s a very heavy lift.” The report also discusses IRS customer service and key challenges that must be addressed in order to improve and maintain voluntary compliance.