Tax Law Blog

Now is the time of year when people start to receive W-2s from their employers and start to think about filing individual tax returns. Many people, however, wait until the last day to file their individual tax return. Some people have very good reasons to wait, while others may just have a habit of procrastination.

There is at least one good reason to file your individual tax return well before April 15. The Internal Revenue Service has recently released information regarding tax-related identity fraud. Identity thieves can steal your personal information and use it for their gain. Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen Social Security number to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund.

Microsoft Corporation is seeking transparency. On Nov. 24 the company filed a complaint in federal court under the Freedom of Information Act, demanding that the Internal Revenue Service disclose information about its contract with a law firm tied to audits of the software maker. 

At issue in Microsoft Corp. v. Internal Revenue Service (Case 14-cv-01982, U.S. District Court, District of Columbia) is Microsoft’s request for access to the complete government contract between the IRS and Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, the firm contracted by the IRS to examine federal income tax returns for years 2004 through 2009.  

Microsoft submitted a public records request on Sept. 22 seeking information on the $2.2 million contract entered into in May, according to the filing. To date, the IRS hasn’t disclosed and is unlawfully withholding the records, according to Microsoft.