Federal State Local Employment Tax (FSLET) examinations and compliance checks
FSLET's Compliance Program relies on two types of cases: compliance checks and examinations.
There is no statutory or common law definition of the term "examination." However, an examination may be described as the systematic inspection of the books and records of a taxpayer for the purpose of making a determination of the correct tax liability.
A compliance check is a contact with the customer that involves a review of filed information and tax returns of the entity. It is a verification of recordkeeping and tax return and information return filing; it is not directly related to the determination of a tax liability. It is not an examination or audit.
A compliance check is different from an examination because:
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Books and records are not inspected, and
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There is no attempt to determine tax liability.
A compliance check is an alternative to an examination. It is less burdensome to the taxpayer and can generally be accomplished in one or two contacts with the taxpayer. It serves as an opportunity to educate the taxpayer and encourage compliance with regard to employment tax law and filing requirements.
Q. What is a compliance check?
A. A compliance check is a review conducted by IRS, under Title 26 of the Internal Revenue Code, to determine whether a taxpayer is adhering to recordkeeping and information reporting requirements. It is neither an investigation, under section 7605(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, nor an audit, under section 530 of the Revenue Act of 1978.
A compliance check does not directly relate to determining a tax liability for any particular period. The check is a tool to educate taxpayers about their reporting requirements to help increase voluntary compliance. At the beginning of a compliance check, the IRS representative will inform the taxpayer that the review is a compliance check and not an audit or examination.
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A compliance check is a review of information forms that the IRS requires taxpayer to file or maintain; for example, 940s, 941s, W-2s, 1099s, or W-4s. During a compliance check, the IRS may ask taxpayers whether they understand or have questions about the filing requirements for these forms. The IRS may also ask the taxpayers if they filed the proper forms for any workers to whom they made payments. If not, and the taxpayer acknowledges they should have, the IRS may ask the taxpayer to file them voluntarily. If the taxpayer does not voluntarily file the forms, the IRS may prepare substitute returns under Internal Revenue Code Section 6020(b) or initiate an examination.
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The IRS will not ask to examine any books and records during a compliance check or ask questions regarding tax liabilities. This means that the IRS will not ask taxpayers why they treat an expense a certain way or the reason they treat a worker as an employee or independent contractor. IRS typically asks these types of questions during an audit or examination to determine an entity's correct tax liability. If, during a compliance check, the IRS decides an audit or examination is appropriate, the IRS will notify the taxpayer that it is commencing an examination before asking questions that relate to tax liability.
Q. Is there a penalty for refusing to submit to a compliance check?
A. No. A taxpayer (or individual) may refuse to participate in a compliance check without penalty. The IRS has the option of opening a formal investigation, whether or not the taxpayer agrees to participate in a compliance check.
Q. How often can one be subjected to compliance checks?
A. IRS can make compliance checks as often as facts and circumstances warrant. Because compliance checks are not examinations, the limitations on reopening examinations provided by Section 7605(b) do not apply to compliance checks.
Q. Once a taxpayer has been checked for compliance, does safe haven protection under section 530 of the Revenue Act of 1978 apply?
A. No. Since compliance checks are not audits, the taxpayer does not hold safe-haven protection under section 530 of the Revenue Act of 1978.
Additionally, a taxpayer may not rely on an audit started after Dec. 31, 1996, for safe haven protection, unless the audit included an examination of whether the individual involved, or any individual holding a similar position as the person involved, should be treated as an employee of the taxpayer for employment tax purposes.