Mandatory E-Verify Use for Government Contractors Postponed until February 20th
Federal government agrees to delay enforcement due to pending lawsuit
 
Agreeing to a request by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the federal government will delay until February 20, 2009 the implementation of a new procurement rule that requires federal contractors and subcontractors to use E-Verify. The rule was scheduled to take effect on January 15, 2009.

Under current federal law, E-Verify use is strictly voluntary and the program may not be used to re-authorize existing employees. On December 23, 2008, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit challenging the use of an Executive Order to create a federal procurement rule requiring federal contractors with projects exceeding $100,000 and for sub-contractors with projects exceeding $3,000 to use E-Verify to authorize new employees and to re-authorize all of their existing employees. More…

Daily IRS Tax Tips Available For 2009 Filing Season       

The Internal Revenue Service is offering a daily series of Tax Tips for the 2009 federal tax filing season that began this month.

Tax Tips offer concise, useful information on topics affecting millions of taxpayers.   More than 70 tips on federal taxes will be available with a new one for each business day until the April 15 tax filing deadline.

Tips are available as easy-to-understand text as well as several audio files for podcast.

Sample text-based Tax Tip topics include:

• Choosing a tax preparer
• Where you can get free tax help
• How e-file can make filing easier and getting you your refund faster
• How to file for an extension or to amend your return
• What tax records to keep
• First-Time Homebuyer Credit

Taxpayers can receive new text-based Tax Tips via email when they are published by subscribing through the e-News Subscriptions page on IRS.gov.  When subscribing, the taxpayer will receive a confirmation message by e-mail that he or she must respond to in order to confirm the subscription.   Other list serves available on IRS.gov include Guidewire, which distributes IRS guidance, and Newswire, which distributes IRS press releases.

Correcting Errors on Employment Tax Returns 

There is a new processes in place for correcting errors on employment tax returns. The new “X” forms, available here, are now available for download. Links to each form and the instructions will be added as the forms become available.

To correct employment tax errors discovered on or after 1/1/2009, use the new corresponding “X” forms listed here to correct employment tax errors – as soon as they are discovered. For example, use the new Form 941-X, Adjusted Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return or Claim for Refund, to correct errors on a previously filed Form 941.

For more information, as well as a listing of the old–and corresponding new–forms, click here.