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IRS delivered a Knockout Punch to RAL

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    IRS delivered a Knockout Punch to RAL

    IRS Removes Debt Indicator for 2011 Tax Filing Season

    WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today announced that starting with next year’s tax filing season it will no longer provide tax preparers and associated financial institutions with the “debt indicator,” which is used to facilitate refund anticipation loans (RALs).

    “As we prepare for tax season every year, we look at past practices and consider whether they still make sense. We no longer see a need for the debt indicator in a world where we can process a tax return and deliver a refund in 10 days,” IRS Commissioner Doug Shulman said. “We encourage taxpayers to use e-file with direct deposit so they can get their refunds in just a few days.”

    So far this year, more than 95 million tax returns have been e-filed, representing more than 70 percent of tax returns.

    “Refund Anticipation Loans are often targeted at lower-income taxpayers,” Shulman said. “With e-file and direct deposit, these taxpayers now have other ways to quickly access their cash.”

    The IRS has been reviewing refund settlement products, such as RALs and Refund Anticipation Checks (RACs), as part of the Return Preparer Review released in January. Specifically, the IRS announced that it would study refund settlement products.

    RALs are loans secured by a taxpayer’s anticipated tax refund. Currently, tax preparers who electronically submit a client’s tax return receive in the acknowledgment file an indication of whether an individual taxpayer will have any portion of the refund offset for delinquent tax or other debts, such as unpaid child support or delinquent federally funded student loans. This acknowledgment is known as the debt indicator, and is used as an underwriting tool for RALs.

    The IRS announcement would remove the debt indicator starting with the upcoming 2011 tax filing season. The IRS noted that taxpayers will continue to have access to information about their tax refunds and any offsets through the “Where’s My Refund?” service on IRS.gov.

    RACs are temporary bank accounts established on behalf of a taxpayer into which a direct deposit refund can be received and out of which a bank typically issues a payment to the taxpayer.

    With both RALs and RACs, tax preparation and product fees are subtracted directly from the refund, and the taxpayer does not make any “out-of-pocket” payments. They are frequently marketed to taxpayers who do not have cash to pay for professional tax preparation services.

    In a related effort, the IRS plans to explore the possibility of providing a new tool for the 2012 tax filing season to give taxpayers a mechanism to use an appropriate portion of their tax refund to pay for the services of a professional tax return preparer. The IRS plans to engage with taxpayers, consumer advocates and the tax return preparer community to consider whether providing this option would be a cost-effective way for consumers to pay for tax return preparation services

    #2
    Now I like that.

    Do you have a cite for this announcement? I just checked irs.gov and didn't find it.
    ChEAr$,
    Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by ChEAr$ View Post
      Now I like that.

      Do you have a cite for this announcement? I just checked irs.gov and didn't find it.


      It's IR 2010-89.

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by David1980 View Post
        Danke, Dave
        ChEAr$,
        Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

        Comment


          #5
          Upon a full reading of this announcement, it does not appear to me that the IRS is going to outlaw RAL and RAC requests. Just remove information from the acknowledgement that pertains to the TP's offset liability, correct?

          Comment


            #6
            I don't care for the concept of RALs but it's none of theIRS business what someone does with their refund. This really won't matter, tax offices can still call the FMS offset number to find out if any govt entity has a claim to the refund. Been doing that for years, before filing the return, and I always knew before the ACK was received that the refund was going to be taken.

            Now if theIRS would direct deposit all refunds within 48 hours of acknowledgement that would great news and kill the RAL industry once and for all. But that seems to elude their abilities to function as a bureaucracy.
            "A man that holds a cat by the tail learns something he can learn no other way." - Mark Twain

            Comment


              #7
              Technically Correct

              Burke, I believe you would be correct.

              Very similar to allowing automobiles to run on our highways, but making gasoline and other fuels unavailable.

              Comment


                #8
                I look forward to this:

                In a related effort, the IRS plans to explore the possibility of providing a new tool for the 2012 tax filing season to give taxpayers a mechanism to use an appropriate portion of their tax refund to pay for the services of a professional tax return preparer. The IRS plans to engage with taxpayers, consumer advocates and the tax return preparer community to consider whether providing this option would be a cost-effective way for consumers to pay for tax return preparation services
                http://www.viagrabelgiquefr.com/

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Burke View Post
                  Upon a full reading of this announcement, it does not appear to me that the IRS is going to outlaw RAL and RAC requests. Just remove information from the acknowledgement that pertains to the TP's offset liability, correct?
                  that is correct.

                  For more info as to effects, see http://www.reuters.com/article/idCNS...0100805?rpc=44

                  HRb stock down 3%; JH down 23%. right twenty three percent.
                  ChEAr$,
                  Harlan Lunsford, EA n LA

                  Comment


                    #10
                    I seem to remember ...

                    That the IRS has tried this before .. maybe ten, fifteen years ago or so. Eliminated the debt indicator. The banks continued to offer RALs, but only after doing real credit checks and then only for previous year RAL customers. Huge outcry from all concerned. Debt indicator was back the next year.

                    Anyone else remember that, or is this just a senior moment in reverse?

                    Update - The IRS eliminated the debt indicator in 1994 to cut down on RAL fraud. In 1998 congress set a goal of 80% participation in the e-file program. The IRS reinstated the debt indicator in 1999 as an incentive for the e-filing industry.

                    Ref: Corporate Welfare for the RAL Industry: The Debt Indicator. Congressional Record Oct 20 2005.
                    Last edited by DonPriebe; 08-05-2010, 03:40 PM. Reason: Found reference

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Making RALs unnecessary

                      As I read it, the RAL will still be available, but the IRS is beginning to realize that working out something to enable the RAL/EIC crowd to pay the preparer thru a direct IRS-to-preparer method and bypassing the RAL banks and associated fees would be in the best interest of all concerned. By waiting 10 days rather than getting the loan a big savings would occur and the preparer would get paid without having to resort to the RAL method.

                      None of my clients would be affected since they all have funds to pay me, but it would be a big benefit to those who are unable to pay their preparers without an RAL.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Yes

                        Don I remember that too. Also I think fees went up.

                        Taxcpa yes I agree Rals will be with us for some taxpayers at some cost until the IRS offers Direct Deposit within 24 hours with an option to send some from refund to preparer. That would be in the best interests of nearly everyone. The big banks would lose revenue but would still have other ways to loan money. I'm sure most tax professionals and firms including JH and HRB would adapt.
                        Last edited by erchess; 08-05-2010, 03:33 PM.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Happy Days..... Ding Dong The RAL is Dead.. Ok not yet but maybe soon!

                          Originally posted by taxxcpa View Post
                          As I read it, the RAL will still be available, but the IRS is beginning to realize that working out something to enable the RAL/EIC crowd to pay the preparer thru a direct IRS-to-preparer method and bypassing the RAL banks and associated fees would be in the best interest of all concerned. By waiting 10 days rather than getting the loan a big savings would occur and the preparer would get paid without having to resort to the RAL method.

                          None of my clients would be affected since they all have funds to pay me, but it would be a big benefit to those who are unable to pay their preparers without an RAL.
                          I hate the RAL stuff.. I offer it every other year or so.. Usually never need it but don't want to deny new clients tools that they may need. Hate the entire concept of feeding off the people that need the money the most.

                          If a client doesn't have the money and I have been preparing them for a few years I tell them to give me a check and I won't deposit until the direct deposit is due. When the IRS allowed multiple deposits that was their perfect time time to allow taxpayers to pay preparers via their refund. A simple new authorizatino form would suffice. End of story. TP does not need to see or know my account information - Just the $$ value being deposited. I hated that we couldn't use it.
                          I had one client do a RAL this year. Begged him not to as I knew his credit was crap-o-la. He paid the fees, I got paid and in the end he was issued a check anyway. I mean - There was no reason - He had no back debts - Once the ACK came in the bank KNEW they were getting his money - So why deny him at that point? Their money was guaranteed! Now he had to come to me to get it, pay a fee to cash because he doesn't even have a checking account. He's my worst case client - Horrible Divorce - don't get me wrong - he's a mess too! The clue was his email address. Headbanger47@aol.com or something like that!! I mean he's like 42 years old. He meets all the sterotypical criteria of those people we'd look at and go -- Seriously!

                          Anyway -- Good news.. yes.. they'll still offer the RAL {RipOff and Lame} methods.

                          PS - If you use the RAL gimmicks alot for extra $$ - No harm intended -- JMHO

                          Enjoy the day - Leaving work now!!
                          Matthew Jones
                          Tax Preparation
                          Computer Consultant


                          Tax Season is here!
                          Make sure everything is working, extra ink or toner is available, Advil in top drawer!

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Bank of America

                            Does anyone remember a few weeks ago the announcement from Bank of America they were getting OUT of the RAL business?

                            Why would they get out of business where they could earn 450%? Or maybe a better question, "What did they know?"

                            Comment


                              #15
                              I believe I do Don.

                              Originally posted by DonPriebe View Post
                              That the IRS has tried this before .. maybe ten, fifteen years ago or so. Eliminated the debt indicator. The banks continued to offer RALs, but only after doing real credit checks and then only for previous year RAL customers. Huge outcry from all concerned. Debt indicator was back the next year.

                              Anyone else remember that, or is this just a senior moment in reverse?
                              This tme though, I think IRS won't be so quick to change things. I think this gives us more equal footing with the big box companies. I don't do RALs because my clientele knows they are too expensive (I have made them more aware over the years). However, I wonder without RALs being so prevalent if more and more of them will prepare their own returns or if we will get some of that business? I am a referral based businesss so don't get the riff-raff that frequent the boxers, but there are people that won't prepare their returns no matter what.

                              Peachie

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