What Is the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?

A young taxpayer calculates her income and deductions.
Photo:

damircudic / Getty Images

Definition

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the federal agency that collects taxes for the federal government and enforces federal tax laws.

Key Takeaways

  • The IRS was created to enforce and oversee the tax laws that Congress passes.
  • 36.7% of the IRS budget in 2021 went to enforcement.
  • A 1971 Supreme Court decision affirmed the IRS as an agency of the U.S. government.
  • The IRS logo symbolizes IRS' goal to be a just, conciliatory, and fair organization.

What Is the IRS?

The IRS is the federal agency that enforces tax laws that Congress enacts. Some of the agency's duties include:

  • Collecting and processing tax returns that individuals and businesses file.
  • Making sure you pay any taxes that are due.
  • Issuing refunds if you overpaid taxes during the year.
  • Overseeing certain retirement plans.
  • Conducting criminal investigations.
  • Guiding you through your tax payment process and any tax issues you may have.

What Does the IRS Do?

In 2021, the IRS dedicated 36.7% of of its total budget to enforcement, and 37.3% of its total budget to operations support. Enforcement activities include determining and collecting owed taxes, providing legal support, and conducting criminal investigations.

Note

A little more than 23% of the overall 2021 budget went to taxpayer services like filing assistance and education.

But IRS involvement in the lives of Americans doesn't begin and end with collecting taxes. The agency is also in charge of managing various tax credits and subsidies for low- and middle-income families, like the Earned Income Tax Credit, subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, and education tax credits that might have helped put you or your children through college.

Who Owns the IRS?

The IRS is a bureau of the U.S. Department of Treasury and considers itself a "tax administrator" that works under the direction of the Secretary of the Treasury. So rather than be "owned" by the Treasury, the IRS "works for" the Treasury.

The IRS has repeatedly argued that, even though Congress did not create the IRS through an act, it is a government agency. It cites the 1971 Supreme Court case Donaldson v. the United States, in which the court ruled the IRS is allowed to administer internal revenue laws as an agency would. Also, the IRS points out that the U.S. Code grants the Secretary of the Treasury full authority to enforce tax law and to appoint an agency to do so.

IRS Leadership

The President appoints the IRS Commissioner, who is the chief executive of the IRS. The Senate must approve the appointee. Commissioners serve five-year terms and are responsible for overseeing all operations of the IRS, from processing tax returns and enforcing tax laws to the collection of taxes.

When Did Federal Income Tax Start?

Income tax has its origin in the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln signed income tax into law and created the "Commissioner of Internal Revenue" in 1862 to raise revenue for the war effort. That first income tax was 3% on incomes from $600 to $10,000, and 5% on incomes over $10,000. That tax didn't last long, however. It was repealed 10 years later, in 1872. Congress brought the income tax back 22 years later via the Wilson Tariff Act of 1894, but that wasn't permanent. The Supreme Court ruled one year later that the tax was unconstitutional.

Then, the 16th Amendment was ratified in 1913 when three-quarters of Americans formed a majority to amend the Constitution to allow the government to impose an income tax. The first Form 1040 tax return came into being a year later. The first personal income tax was 1% for incomes above $3,000 and 6% for incomes of more than $500,000.

Then came World War I and another war effort. Congress hiked the top tax rate to 77%, where it remained for 11 years. The rate dropped to 24% by 1929, only to increase again in response to the Great Depression.

Significance of the IRS Logo

The IRS logo features three images in one:

  • Eagle: Represents the United States (the national bird is the bald eagle)
  • Olive branch: Represents peace
  • Scales: Represents justice and fairness

The IRS intends the symbol to express "justice, fairness, honesty, peace, and conciliation."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I speak to someone at the IRS?

If you received a tax notice and need to speak with someone about it, call the phone number on the notice. For other concerns, you can call an IRS customer service representative from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (local time) Monday through Friday. The number is 800-829-1040. You may need to verify your personal identifying information and wait while your call is routed through the automated system. Those with hearing impairments (TTY/TDD) can call 800-829-4059 for assistance.

To check the status of your refund, you can call 800-829-1954. You can also schedule a face-to-face meeting with an agent at your local IRS office.

How can I change my bank account information with the IRS?

The IRS sends payments, such as tax refunds or stimulus checks, directly to your bank account. You can change your routing or account number when you file your return by filling out that portion of your tax return form with the correct information. If you've already filed your return, you can call 800-829-1040.

Was this page helpful?
Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. IRS. "Data Book 2021," Page 69.

  2. IRS. "Anti-Tax Law Evasion Schemes - Law and Arguments (Section V)."

  3. IRS. "Historical Highlights of the IRS."

  4. IRS. "Who Is the IRS?"

  5. IRS. "1.17.7 Use of the Official IRS Seal, IRS Logo, Program Logos and Internal Logo."

  6. IRS. "Let Us Help You."

  7. H&R Block. "Changing Your Bank Account and Routing Numbers for Tax Refunds."

Related Articles