The IRS reported that e-filing of individual income tax returns was up this year. More than 43 million taxpayers self-prepared and e-filed their returns using their computers, which is an increase of 4.4% over last year. The IRS also issued more than 101 million tax refunds totaling nearly $268 billion; 80% of refunds were direct deposited rather than mailed. Overall, the number of returns filed was down about a half a percent (129,674,000 this year versus 130,261,000 in 2012). Tax receipts were down by 0.8%.
Source: IR-2013-52
A written determination issued to a taxpayer by the IRS that interprets and applies the tax laws to the taxpayer’s specific set of facts. A letter ruling advises the taxpayer regarding the tax treatment that can be expected from the IRS in the circumstances specified by the ruling. It may not be used or cited as precedent by another taxpayer.