IRS’s People First Initiative Unveiled

The IRS announced that it unveiled the People First Initiative on March 25, 2020 to ease the burden on people facing tax issues as much as possible and to enable them to better focus on the well-being of themselves and others during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative is an unprecedented effort to temporarily scale back many collection and enforcement activities by the IRS during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The IRS, in consultation with its partners, will continue to review the initiative and modify or expand it as necessary during this situation.

The People First Initiative modified numerous IRS compliance programs by providing taxpayers relief from the following programs:

• Existing Installment Agreements,


• New Installment Agreements,


• Offers in Compromise (OIC),


• Field Collection Activities - Liens and levies,


• Automated Levies, and Systemic Liens and Levies,


• Certifications of seriously delinquent tax liabilities to the State Department (impacting the issuance or renewal of a passport),


• Private Debt Collection, and


• Field, Office and Correspondence Audits.

Further, the IRS announced that while the IRS Independent Office of Appeals continues to work its cases, it would not hold in-person conferences with taxpayers. However, they may hold conferences over the telephone or by videoconference. Moreover, the IRS urged those who owe back taxes to take this opportunity to file delinquent returns and resolve any outstanding liabilities. Taxpayers can visit the IRS website for more information about payment options, including several options for taxpayers who may be unable pay the full amount now. Finally, additional information may be obtained at the following sites: IRS People First Initative FAQs, Coronavirus Tax Relief, Employee Retention Credit FAQs.

Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC (www.wilsontaxlaw.com) is a boutique Orange County tax controversy law firm that specializes in representation of individuals and businesses before federal and state tax authorities with audits, appeals, FBAR, offshore compliance, litigation and criminal defense. The firm was founded in 2014 by Joseph P. Wilson, a former Federal tax prosecutor, trial attorney for the IRS and trial attorney for the Franchise Tax Board.

For further information, or to arrange a consultation please contact: Wilson Tax Law Group, APLC

Newport Beach and Yorba Linda, California

Tel: (949) 397-2292 (Newport Beach Office)

Tel: (714) 463-4430 (Yorba Linda Office)