[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