2010 Individual Taxpayer Burden Survey

XXXX
OMB #1545-1432

The Individual Taxpayer Burden Survey is an important project that can benefit you and
millions of other taxpayers.
We hear from taxpayers that preparing and filing tax returns are time consuming and
expensive. We are conducting a survey of randomly selected taxpayers to learn more
about those costs.
Responses from taxpayers will help us update estimates of the amount of time and
money people spend preparing their tax returns each year. We use this information
to learn how to reduce taxpayer burden. All information provided will be used
for internal research purposes only.
Only those taxpayers randomly selected may participate in the study. Data is being
collected over the course of the next year, so you may still be selected even if you have
not yet received an invitation. Participation for those selected is voluntary. However,
understanding the tax preparation experience of taxpayers will help the IRS reduce
taxpayer burden.
If you have been selected, we hope you will decide to participate in this study. We
estimate that it will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete.
A copy of the survey, which is being conducted by Westat on behalf of the IRS,
is provided in the link provided below. Together we have an opportunity to advance our
understanding of taxpayer burden. Thank you.

IRS website survey announcement

[WESID]

[NAME]
[ADDR 1]
[ADD 2]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP]
[DATE]
Dear Taxpayer:
I am writing to ask you to take part in an important survey that can benefit you and millions
of other taxpayers.
We hear from taxpayers that preparing and filing tax returns are time consuming and
expensive. This survey will allow the IRS to learn more about those costs.
Your responses to the survey will make it possible for the IRS to update estimates of the
amount of time and money people spend preparing their tax returns each year. We use this
information to learn how the IRS might reduce taxpayer burden. Let me assur
assure you that all
information you provide will be used for internal research purposes only.
Participation is voluntary. You are not required to join in the study. However, your tax
preparation and filing experiences will provide information that will help
hel p the IRS reduce
taxpayer burden.
To see the official IRS announcement regarding this survey, please visit the following URL
on the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/taxstats/indtaxstats/article/0,,id=237672,00.html
http://www.irs.gov/taxstats/indtaxstats/article/0,,id=237672,00.html.
I hope you will decide to participate in the survey, which is being conducted by Westat on
behalf of the IRS. Together we have an opportunity to advance the understanding of
taxpayer burden. Thank you.
Sincerely,

Rosemary D. Marcuss
Director
Office of Research, Analysis, and Statistics

IRS ITB Survey

1

Contact 1: Web Letter

Œ

Go to the website.
To take the survey online, please go to

www.IRStaxpayerburdensurvey.org.

•

Log in.
You will need the following username and password to
access the survey.

Username: [UID]
Password: [PWD]

Problems?
If you have any technical difficulties, including problems with the
website, please call 1-888-848-0934 or send an email to
[email protected].

IRS ITB Survey

1

Contact 1: Web

Individual Taxpayer Burden Survey

What is the purpose of this survey?
The purpose of this survey is to provide Congress and the President with
accurate estimates of the time and money taxpayers spend to follow
federal tax rules and regulations. Tax administrators and policy makers
use this information to reduce and manage taxpayer burden.

Who should complete this survey?
The person in your household most involved in the completion of your
2010 individual federal income tax return should complete this survey.

How will my answers be used?
Your responses to the survey will make it possible for the IRS to update
estimates of the amount of time and money people spend preparing their
tax returns each year. The IRS uses this information to learn how to reduce
taxpayer burden. All information you provide will be used for internal
research purposes only.

Why should I participate?
While participation is voluntary, information about your tax preparation
experience will help the IRS better understand how to reduce taxpayer
burden. We encourage you to take a few moments of your time to
participate. By doing so, you will ensure that households like yours are
represented.

IRS ITB Survey

3

Contact 1: Web Letter

How long will this survey take?
It will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete this survey. Your time may
vary based on your individual experiences.

What kinds of questions are in this survey?
In addition to some general questions about you and your taxes, this
survey asks about:
·
·
·
·
·
·
·

Recordkeeping
Tax planning
Resources used to gather materials and prepare your return
Completing your tax return
Time spent on tax-related activities
Costs of completing your tax return
Your overall experiences completing your tax return

I don’t have access to the web. What are my options?
If you don’t have access to the web, or if you would prefer to complete a
paper version of the survey, please call 1-888-848-0934. We will mail you a
paper survey and a postage-paid return envelope.

Can I take this survey in Spanish?
Yes. Please call 1-888-848-0934 or send an email to
[email protected] for a Spanish version of this
survey.

Who can I contact with questions?
If you have questions about the content of this survey, please contact
Jocelyn Newsome at 1-888-848-0934 or send an email to
[email protected]. If you would like to speak to
someone at the IRS, please call the Communications & Liaison office at
202-622-6440 or send an email to *[email protected].

We hope you will take the time
to complete this important survey.
Thank you.

IRS ITB Survey

4

Contact 1: Web Letter

[WESID]
[DATE]

Individual Taxpayer Burden Survey
You recently received a survey from the IRS. Your responses to
the survey will help the IRS better understand how much time and
money people spend preparing their tax returns each year. The
IRS uses this information to learn how to reduce taxpayer burden.
Your participation is voluntary and all information you provide will
be used for research purposes only. It will take about 15 to 20
minutes to complete the survey.
We hope you will complete the survey as soon as you can. If you
have already completed the survey, thank you.

Œ

Go to the website.
To take the survey online, please go to;

www.IRStaxpayerburdensurvey.org

•

Log in.
You will need the following username and password to
access the survey.

Username: [UID]
Password: [PWD]
Problems?
If you have any technical difficulties, including problems with the
website, please call 1-888-848-0934 or send an email to
[email protected].

Prefer a paper survey?
If you would prefer to complete a paper version of the survey, please call
1-888-848-0934 or send an email to
[email protected]. You will be mailed a paper
survey and a postage-paid return envelope.

Questions?
If you have questions about the content of this survey, please contact
Jocelyn Newsome at 1-888-848-0934 or send an email to
[email protected]. If you would like to speak to
someone at the IRS, please call the Communications & Liaison office at
202-622-6440 or send an email to *[email protected].
IRS ITB Survey

1

Contact 2: Web Postcard

Internal Revenue Service
c/o Westat
1600 Research Blvd, RE134
Rockville, MD 20850-3129
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

[WESID]

[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP]

IRS ITB Survey

2

Contact 2: Web Postcard

Individual Taxpayer Burden Survey
[WESID]

[NAME]
[ADDR 1]
[ADD 2]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP]

You recently received a Taxpayer Burden Survey from the IRS. Your
responses to the survey will help the IRS better understand how
much time and money people spend preparing their tax returns each
year. Tax administrators and policy makers use this information to
learn how to manage and reduce taxpayer burden.
While participation is voluntary, information about your experience
will help the IRS better understand taxpayer burden. We encourage
you to take a few moments of your time to participate. By doing so,
you will ensure that households like yours are represented.
For your convenience, a copy of the survey and a postage-paid return
envelope are enclosed. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete
the survey.
If you have questions, would like to take this survey online, or need a
Spanish version of this survey, please contact Jocelyn Newsome
at 1-888-848-0934 or send an email to [email protected].
If you would like to speak to someone at the IRS, please call the
Communications & Liaison office at 202-622-6440 or send an email to
*[email protected].
IRS ITB Survey

1

Contact 3 and 4: Cover Sheet

Phone and IVR Prompt
“The IRS recently mailed you a survey. Your responses to the survey will help the IRS
better understand how much time and money people spend preparing their tax returns
each year. We use this information to learn how to reduce taxpayer burden. Your
participation is voluntary and all information you provide will be used for research
purposes only. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete the survey. We hope you
will complete the survey as soon as you can. If you have already completed your survey,
thank you. If you have any questions you can call us toll free at 1-888-848-0934.”
NOTE TO INTERVIEWER: IFRESPONDENT REQUESTS, ADMINISTER SURVEY OVER PHONE.

IRS ITB Survey

1

Contact 4: Phone & IVR Prompt

[WESID]

[NAME]
[ADDR 1]
[ADD 2]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP]
[DATE]
Dear Taxpayer:
I am writing to ask you to take part in an important survey that can benefit you and millions
of other taxpayers.
We hear from taxpayers that preparing and filing tax returns are time consuming and
expensive. This survey will allow the IRS to learn more about those costs.
Your responses to the survey will make it possible for the IRS to update estimates of the
amount of time and money people spend preparing their tax returns each year. We use this
information to learn how the IRS might reduce taxpayer burden. Let me assure you that all
information you provide will be used for internal research purposes only.
Participation is voluntary. You are not required to join in the study. However, your tax
preparation and filing experiences will provide information that will help the IRS reduce
taxpayer burden.
To see the official IRS announcement regarding this
this survey, please visit the following URL
on the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/taxstats/indtaxstats/article/0,,id=237672,00.html
I hope you will decide to participate in the survey, which is being conducted by Westat on
behalf of the IRS. Together we have an opportunity to advance the understanding of
taxpayer burden. Thank you.
Sincerely,

Rosemary D. Marcuss
Director
Office of Research, Analysis, and Statistics

IRS ITB Survey

3

Contact 1: Mail Letter

[WESID]
[DATE]

Individual Taxpayer Burden Survey
You recently received a survey from the IRS. Your
responses to the survey will help the IRS better understand
how much time and money people spend preparing their tax
returns each year. The IRS uses this information to learn
how to reduce taxpayer burden. Your participation is
voluntary and all information you provide will be used for
research purposes only. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes to
complete the survey.

We hope you will complete the survey as soon as you can.
If you have already completed the survey, thank you.

Questions?
If you have questions about the content of this survey,
please contact Jocelyn Newsome 1-888-848-0934 or send an
email to [email protected].
If you would like to speak to someone at the IRS, please call
the Communications & Liaison office at 202-622-6440 or
send an email to *[email protected].

IRS ITB Survey

1

Contact 2: Mail Postcard

Internal Revenue Service
c/o Westat
1600 Research Blvd, RE134
Rockville, MD 20850-3129
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

[WESID]

[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP]

IRS ITB Survey

2

Contact 2: Mail Postcard

IVR Prompt
“The IRS recently mailed you a survey. Your responses to the survey will help the IRS
better understand how much time and money people spend preparing their tax returns
each year. We use this information to learn how to reduce taxpayer burden. Your
participation is voluntary and all information you provide will be used for research
purposes only. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete the survey. We hope you
will complete the survey as soon as you can. If you have already completed your survey,
thank you. If you have any questions you can call us toll free at 1-888-848-0934.”

IRS ITB Survey

1

Contact 2: IVR Prompt

Individual Taxpayer Burden Survey
[WESID]

[NAME]
[ADDR 1]
[ADD 2]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP]

You recently received a Taxpayer Burden Survey from the IRS. Your
responses to the survey will help the IRS better understand how
much time and money people spend preparing their tax returns each
year. Tax administrators and policy makers use this information to
learn how to manage and reduce taxpayer burden.
While participation is voluntary, information about your experience
will help the IRS better understand taxpayer burden. We encourage
you to take a few moments of your time to participate. By doing so,
you will ensure that households like yours are represented.
For your convenience, a copy of the survey and a postage-paid return
envelope are enclosed. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete
the survey.
If you have questions, would like to take this survey online, or need a
Spanish version of this survey, please contact Jocelyn Newsome
at 1-888-848-0934 or send an email to [email protected].
If you would like to speak to someone at the IRS, please call the
Communications & Liaison office at 202-622-6440 or send an email to
*[email protected].
IRS ITB Survey

1

Contact 3 and 4: Cover Sheet

Phone and IVR Prompt
“The IRS recently mailed you a survey. Your responses to the survey will help the IRS
better understand how much time and money people spend preparing their tax returns
each year. We use this information to learn how to reduce taxpayer burden. Your
participation is voluntary and all information you provide will be used for research
purposes only. It will take about 15 to 20 minutes to complete the survey. We hope you
will complete the survey as soon as you can. If you have already completed your survey,
thank you. If you have any questions you can call us toll free at 1-888-848-0934.”
NOTE TO INTERVIEWER: IFRESPONDENT REQUESTS, ADMINISTER SURVEY OVER PHONE.

IRS ITB Survey

1

Contact 4: Phone & IVR Prompt