June 24, 2021
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Data Book is published annually by the IRS and contains statistical tables and organizational information on a fiscal year basis. The report provides data on collecting revenue, issuing refunds, enforcing the law, assisting the taxpayer, and the budget and workforce.
The Data Book for fiscal year 2020 (Oct. 1, 2019 – Sept. 30, 2020) was issued on June 24. It's comprised of 33 tables describing all IRS activities, including returns processed and revenue collected, numbers and amounts from examinations of returns and collection methods, and budget and personnel information.
It can be downloaded here.
Highlights of This Year's Data Book
The IRS collected close to $3.5 trillion, processed more than 240 million tax returns and other forms, and issued more than $736 billion in tax refunds (including $268 billion in Economic Impact Payments)
59.5 million taxpayers were assisted by calling or visiting an IRS office
IRS.gov received nearly 1.6 billion visits and more than 437 million files were downloaded
Of participating taxpayers in the 2020 Comprehensive Taxpayer Attitude Survey (CTAS), 87 percent said it is not at all acceptable to cheat on their income taxes, 94 percent believe it is a civic duty to pay their fair share of taxes, and 79 percent are satisfied with their personal interactions with IRS
“This year's Data Book describes the important work that IRS employees accomplish on behalf of the public,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “The IRS accounts for approximately 96% of the funding that supports the federal government’s operations, while proudly serving and interacting with more Americans than any other public or private organization.”
“The 2020 Data Book also details the extraordinary measures the IRS took to protect the health and safety of taxpayers and IRS employees during the COVID-19 pandemic while implementing critical economic relief legislation – the largest economic rescue packages in US history,” Rettig added.
New technologies were developed and necessary equipment was provided that allowed thousands of IRS employees to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, enabling them to continue operations, processing more than 240 million tax returns and collecting nearly $3.5 trillion in federal taxes.
The deadline to file and pay federal income taxes was extended from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020, easing burdens on people facing tax issues.
The People First Initiative was launched, easing payment guidelines, postponing compliance actions and suspending most collection enforcement activities, such as new notices of lien or levy, from April 15, 2020, to July 15, 2020.
Economic Impact Payments (EIPs) Issued
Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act
161.9 million first round Economic Impact Payments (EIPs):
122.5 million by direct deposit, 35.8 million by check, and nearly 3.6 million by debit card
Under the COVID-Related Tax Relief (CRTR) Act of 2020
146.5 million second-round EIPs:
112.8 million by direct deposit, 25.7 million by check, and 8 million by debit card
The IRS provided $412.9 billion in combined relief under these programs during the calendar year.
Resources:
2020 CTAS Report (Comprehensive Taxpayer Attitude Survey)