[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23146]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: September 20, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Substitute Return Format Standardization for Individual Returns
Filed on Paper
AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.
ACTION: Announcement--Notice of intent to standardize substitute return
format for individual returns filed on paper.
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SUMMARY: The IRS is in the process of modernizing its computer systems
and in keeping with this premise, those forms and schedules that are
not filed electronically will be scanned and machine-read. This
technology will expedite processing, increase customer service, and
maximize the use of resources. The changes will become effective as the
new computer systems of the IRS become operational and notice will be
posted in the Internal Revenue Bulletin and disseminated through other
media. IRS will then request that the following methods be used to file
individual income tax returns:
1. Electronically-filed returns;
2. Computer-generated summary sheets (Form 1040PC);
3. IRS-published Forms 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ and their respective
forms and schedules (or machine readable substitutes, as defined in
Revenue Procedure 94-51).
Publication 1167, Substitute Printed, Computer-Prepared, and
Computer-Generated Tax Forms and Schedules, has been revised to reflect
these preferences. There are several reasons for this initiative. The
IRS receives more than 115 million individual tax returns and the
volume increases annually. Form 1040PC and electronic filing provide
better quality input. They also reduce the need for document storage.
IRS wishes to limit the submission of traditional returns to IRS-
produced paper forms in keeping with the Tax System Modernization (TSM)
initiatives to scan all forms. However, IRS recognizes that many
practitioners and individual taxpayers utilize software packages to
produce computer generated returns and that this software is considered
by the public to reduce the burden in the filing of tax returns.
Therefore, IRS seeks a balance between its need to maintain strict
control and the convenience the taxpaying public enjoys through the use
of tax preparation software. The goal is to scan all returns received.
IRS will hold a ``Town Meeting'' to discuss this intent with the
public.
Note: Last minute changes to the date or location of the meeting
are possible and could prevent advance notice.
DATES: The ``Town Meeting'' is scheduled to be held on October 5, 1994,
at 9 a.m. The meeting will be open to the public.
ADDRESSES: The ``Town Meeting'' will be held at the J.W. Marriott
Hotel, 1331 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC. Notification of
intent to attend the meeting is requested in order to have a sufficient
number of handouts/agendas printed. Please contact Freda George at 202-
283-0578 (not a toll-free number), to confirm attendance or for
additional information. If you wish to communicate by FAX, the number
is 202-283-0137, to the attention of Freda George. A copy of the ``Town
Meeting Minutes'' will be sent to all persons who mail-in comments or
who call to express an interest in receiving them. The address to send
your comments to is: Internal Revenue Service, Attn: Forms
Standardization Project Office T:I:F, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW.,
Washington, DC 20224.
Dated: September 12, 1994.
Approved:
Jim Smith,
National Director, Submission Processing.
[FR Doc. 94-23146 Filed 9-19-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4830-01-U
