Purpose: This IRM subsection provides instructions concerning the Governmental Liaison (GL) program that facilitates the exchange of data and fosters partnerships with federal, state, and local governmental agencies to improve tax administration, in accordance with Policy Statement 11-98, FedState Relations. See IRM 1.2.1.11.13, Policy Statement 11-98 (Formerly P-6-14).

Audience: This IRM is intended for all employees of Governmental Liaison, Disclosure and Safeguards (GLDS).

Policy Owner: The GL Office, under GLDS, is responsible for oversight of the GL policy.

Program Owner: The GLDS Office, under Privacy, Governmental Liaison and Disclosure (PGLD) is the program office responsible for oversight of the Service-wide Governmental Liaison policy.

The Associate Director, Governmental Liaison (GL) supports IRS compliance, enforcement, and service to taxpayers by partnering with federal, state, and local governmental agencies to improve tax administration at all levels of government.

The Associate Director, GL carries out their goals by:

The mission of the Associate Director, Governmental Liaison (GL) is to establish roles and responsibilities and direct overall operations for GL HQ/Policy and Field GL staff.

Governmental Liaison (GL) programs, initiatives, and projects often involve one or more business operating divisions to maximize cooperation and leverage resources.

PGLD staff provide technical assistance and/or partner with GL, as follows:

Business operating division staff at all levels provide information, commit resources and provide technical expertise necessary to create and implement initiatives and projects involving GL partners to achieve tax compliance, accomplish Service goals, and enhance federal tax administration. Memorandums of Understanding with SB/SE and W&I provide a framework for any assistance GLs need.

Governmental Liaison (GL) generally manages partnering relationships between the IRS and state, local and federal governmental agencies through the FedState Program, the Municipal Agency Program (MAP) and the Federal Intergovernmental Program (FIP).

The GL is the primary point of contact for partnering with these agencies for matters not related to tax reporting, information reporting and compliance issues relative to governmental entities in their role as taxpayers or employers. The TE/GE division has jurisdiction over governmental agencies where these issues are concerned. The GL:

The Field GL works closely with the Disclosure Manager (DM) in Fed/State program activities where the IRS provides Federal Tax Information (FTI) to local, state and territory revenue and workforce agencies. GL HQ/Policy will work closely with Disclosure in activities where FTI is provided to federal agencies. Disclosure coordinates, reviews and approves documents with respect to the following:

MAP is one of Governmental Liaison’s partnering components which expands GL’s mission of governmental partnering and data sharing by engaging municipal agencies. Governmental Liaisons maintain a relationship with municipalities within assigned states. The GL relationship with local government is to leverage the sharing of information that will provide a mutual benefit. This relationship is secondary to that of the primary local government contact which is assigned to TE/GE and focuses on compliance. There are currently 13 cities that qualify to receive Federal Tax Information under IRC 6103(d). Some examples of the relationship GLs may have with municipalities includes:

The FIP provides a systematic and structured approach to expanding existing relationships and establishing new relationships with other federal agencies. The FIP program helps ensure that IRS has a centralized process to appropriately coordinate new federal initiatives and provide a Service-wide inventory of these agreements and initiatives.

Stakeholder Liaison Field (SLF) manages engagement of practitioner and business stakeholders and maintains the Communications Stakeholder Liaison and Online Services (CSO) Stakeholder Relationship Management (SRM) website with information on projects and outreach activities affecting practitioners and small business stakeholders. See Exhibit 11.4.1-1, GL/CSO Stakeholders Chart, for a chart that identifies GL and CSO stakeholder relationships and possible opportunities to support each other with respect to Governmental Liaison's (GLs) external agency stakeholders.

Many area offices have an SRM Local Council (SRMLC) to deliver the program in the field. The purpose of the SRMLC is to work issues involving more than two IRS functions and external stakeholders. The GL may participate in an SRMLC composed of members from the business operating divisions. Cross-functional council meetings provide an opportunity to pool the efforts and resources of the members and their respective stakeholders.

The IRS is authorized by statute, IRC 6103(d), to disclose Federal Tax Information (FTI) to states (as defined by IRC 6103(b)(5)), for tax administration purposes, upon written request. Complete guidelines for making disclosures of FTI to states for tax administration purposes are located in IRM 11.3.32, Disclosure to States for Tax Administration Purposes.

In each of the states with an income tax, there are at least two state tax agencies to which the IRS may disclose FTI. Generally, one or more tax agencies in each state administer such taxes as individual income, corporate, franchise, sales, excise, and property tax. A separate tax agency in each state normally administers the unemployment tax.

Each state tax agency and the IRS may enter into GL exchange agreements that provide for the mutual exchange of FTI and state tax information, as described below:

As a condition of receipt [required by IRC 6103(p)(4)] of FTI under any new agreement or MOU or of FTI not previously received by the agency, the agency must meet IRS safeguarding requirements, including the submission or updating of a Safeguard Security Report (SSR). The GL will forward a completed SSR Notice to the agency, to remind the agency of SSR requirements when the agency wishes to participate in new MOUs and agreements involving the disclosure of FTI to agencies, as well as for the annual GLDEP enrollment.

Employees should follow official policy for receipt and transmission of tax information. The means for transmitting federal tax returns and return information may vary according to the sensitivity of the material involved. Refer to the Transmission subsection of IRM 10.5.1, Privacy and Information Protection, Privacy Policy. In the event alternative transmission methods are considered, please ensure they are commensurate with, and adhere to, established IRM policy and/or other approved agency guidance regarding secure transmission (i.e. Publication 1075, Tax Information Security Guidelines for Federal, State and Local Agencies).

Federal Tax Information (FTI) may be requested on a case-by-case basis using Form 8796.

Form 8796 and Form 8796-A must be signed by an officer or employee of the requesting agency who is authorized to request and receive tax information for the agency. Refer to IRM 11.3.32.8, Authorized Disclosures pursuant to IRS 6103(d)(1).

Governmental Liaison (GL) staff who receive written requests for FTI from states via Form 8796-A or other documents will refer them to Disclosure Centralized Processing Unit for processing or assistance, unless the DM agrees, in advance, to process the request locally.

GLs may assist Disclosure Managers in updating the list of state personnel authorized to make written requests for FTI or the list of IRS personnel authorized to make requests to states.

Safeguards ensures federal, state, and local governmental agencies properly protect Federal Tax Information (FTI) in their possession to IRS standards. Safeguards staff conduct oversight reviews of agencies to verify that safeguard requirements are met.

Safeguards determines the frequency of Safeguard and Need and Use Reviews, which are usually conducted every three years, but may be more or less frequent if circumstances warrant it. Safeguards conducts Safeguard Reviews of the procedures and practices of agencies that receive FTI to determine compliance with the safeguard requirements of IRC 6103(p)(4). Safeguards also verifies agencies’ actual Need and Use of the FTI by state tax agencies.

See IRM 11.3.36, Safeguard Review Program, and Publication 1075, Tax Information Security Guidelines for Federal, State, and Local Agencies, for more information about the Safeguard Review Program.

One of Governmental Liaison’s (GLs) key responsibilities is to explore opportunities to partner with other governmental entities to improve tax administration and reduce burdens on taxpayers. Many opportunities are found through joint initiatives with external agencies. Opportunities also exist to partner with federal and local agencies.

GL will assist in facilitating state, local, territories and federal agency support for initiatives owned by IRS business operating divisions.

GLs may identify and facilitate joint initiatives involving IRS business operating divisions and other partners. However, the day-to-day management of such initiatives is the responsibility of the business operating division.

Governmental Liaisons (GLs) will adhere to Section 5.3 of the Basic Agreement with their state agencies, which states, "In addition to the exchange of tax and other information, the Agency and IRS will, to the extent feasible, extend to each other assistance in other tax administration matters. This may include such activities as taxpayer assistance, training of personnel, special statistical studies and compilations of data, development and improvement of tax administration systems and procedures, and such other activities as may improve administration."

An electronic file containing training classes requested frequently by state tax agencies is available for GLs use. These classes may be shared with state tax agencies, who may print copies to train their employees. Training material available for external partners is located on the GL SharePoint under GL Programs and Initiatives in Training for External Partners.

Potential joint initiatives can be identified in a number of ways: as a result of a request from a business operating division, on one's own initiative, brainstorming with internal and external stakeholders, or replicating an approved existing initiative.

To identify joint initiative opportunities, Governmental Liaison (GL) must know the program goals and strategic plans and/or priorities of internal and external stakeholders. GL should have a working knowledge of IRS goals and strategic plans along with the more specific goals and objectives of the business operating divisions. In addition, GL should be familiar with the goals and strategic plans of state and local tax and non-tax agencies, federal agencies, and other potential partners.

Regular meetings and networking with internal and external stakeholders are essential. Joint meetings are a good opportunity to brainstorm new initiatives, but they should be in clear support of an IRS business priority.

GLs must become familiar with joint initiatives taking place in other states and areas. Successfully implemented initiatives in one state or area may be replicated in others. A nationwide listing of GL initiatives is available on the GL SharePoint site.

Project teams and analysts collaborate with the IRS operations, business operating divisions, and other governmental stakeholders to develop and document initiatives and related activity utilizing the Project Management Initiative Template (PMIT). The PMIT establishes a uniform process across PGLD for implementing and documenting business projects and initiatives.

A PMIT will result in consistent management, reporting, transparency and collaboration on joint projects and initiatives. The benefits of a PMIT are:

The PMIT process enables Governmental Liaison and the business operating division to work together to:

In partnership with IRS operations, business operating divisions, and external stakeholders, PGLD will use the PMIT process when developing initiatives involving these activities:

In concert with information provided in (4), GL will use the PMIT process to develop the initiatives, capture key information, and secure GLDS and business operating division approval involving these activities:

The PMIT process does not override or replace Compliance Initiative Projects (CIPs) or other campaigns.

In GL, the HQ Policy Analyst leads completion of the PMIT form, with Field GL support, as appropriate, and includes the following:

The completed PMIT form is a historical record and business case of an initiative’s development. It is a resource for development of future initiatives. GL will store all PMITs in the PGLD, Privacy Policy and Knowledge Management document repository, including those not implemented.

Government Liaison (GL) has primary responsibility for the development and coordination of agency agreements and memorandums of understanding (MOUs).

An agreement or MOU is utilized for specific ongoing tax administration projects/exchanges, when the disclosure is authorized with respect to taxes imposed by a chapter listed under IRC 6103(d) or other applicable code sections.

GL documents agreements and MOU development using the Project Management Initiative Template (PMIT) process, see IRM 11.4.1.13, Privacy, Governmental Liaison, and Disclosure (PGLD) Project Management Initiative Template (PMIT), for additional information. The PMIT process is not used for the BA/IA.

GL maintains an official copy of all agreements on the GL SharePoint site.

Agreement and MOU information is maintained on the IRS Agreement Database, see IRM 11.4.1.16, IRS Agreements Database (IAD).

The Chief Privacy Officer executes BAs on behalf of the IRS. The Director, Governmental Liaison, Disclosure, and Safeguards (GLDS) executes IAs on behalf of the IRS.

Agreements and MOUs are signed by an official in the operating division having jurisdiction for the project/exchange and who is authorized by Delegation Order 11-2, see IRM 1.2.2.11.2, Delegation Order 11-2 (Rev. 3), Authority to Permit Disclosure of Tax Information and to Permit Testimony or the Production of Documents.

Under the provisions of IRC 6103(p)(2)(B), an agency that receives Federal Tax Information (FTI) from the IRS can request approval to disclose the FTI to another state, local or Federal agency also authorized to receive the same FTI on behalf of the IRS.

Once the 6103(p)(2)(B) authorization letter is signed by the Director, Governmental Liaison, Disclosure, and Safeguards (GLDS), the Field Governmental Liaison (GL) will forward the agency’s request and IRS authorization letter to the GL SharePoint Administrator for posting to SharePoint.

Field GL will have the GL IRS Agreement Database (IAD) Administrator add the information and link to the 6103(p)(2)(B) authorization to the IAD with the expiration date.

Field GL will update the State Summary Sheet on SharePoint.

Field GLs follow up on state/local agencies 6103(p)(2)(B) authorizations, and GL Policy follows up on federal 6103(p)(2)(B) authorizations. The IAD allows GL to pull a report that highlights expirations in the coming year to help GLDS develop a timeline for reaching out to agencies timely. The GL assists the agencies with any decisions or concerns to ensure agencies have sufficient time to consider renewing the exchange. GL will contact HQ Disclosure as needed. For additional information on processing a request, see IRM 11.3.32.23, Re-disclosures by State Tax Agencies pursuant to IRC 6103(p)(2)(B).

The IRS Agreements Database (IAD) is a centralized, comprehensive Access database which includes agreements IRS has with federal, state, and local governmental agencies as well as specific non-governmental exchange partners. Governmental Liaison (GL) uses the IAD to reference, research and analyze agreement data, generate inventory reports, and access the agreement document(s) located on GL SharePoint (SP). Prior to development of the IAD in 2015, GL had no means to view, research, or analyze summary agreement data in one location. The IAD stores data about each agreement and associated external customer. GL can access agreement and customer data in the IAD through filtered searches or configured Inventory Reports.

The IAD includes summary data and links to agreements that require Privacy, Governmental Liaison, and Disclosure (PGLD) oversight for privacy, disclosure, and safeguarding such as:

The IAD includes the following modules, sections and reports:

In recognition of the escalating challenges facing the tax ecosystem and the need to act quickly to prepare for the next tax filing season, the IRS Commissioner called on leaders in the public and private sectors to come together and work collaboratively to protect taxpayers from Identity Theft refund fraud. On March 19, 2015, the Commissioner convened an unprecedented Security Summit meeting in Washington, D.C. with IRS officials, the Chief Executive Officers of the leading tax preparation firms, software developers, payroll and tax financial product processors, and state tax administrators, to discuss common challenges and ways to leverage our collective resources and efforts. From this initial meeting, an agreement (Security Summit Memorandum of Understanding) was developed to establish how the Security Summit will work, including six working groups. From the Security Summit, an additional need developed to share information; this spin-off became the Information Sharing and Analysis Center (ISAC).

The Security Summit and ISAC programs are owned by Wage & Investment (W&I) Return Integrity and Compliance Services (RICS).

Privacy, Governmental Liaison, and Disclosure (PGLD) Governmental Liaison (GL) HQ’s involvement in the Security Summit and ISAC include providing guidance for Security Summit and ISAC activities and assistance when a PGLD program is affected.

Governmental Liaisons (GLs) will ensure the appropriate GL Counsel contacts are made. The following chart provides definitions of the differing GL Counsels and their responsibilities.

GL will ensure GL Counsel (General Legal Services (GLS) and Procedure and Administration (P&A)) involvement in accordance with guidelines in the Project Management Initiative Template (PMIT), discussed in IRM 11.4.1.13, Privacy, Governmental Liaison, and Disclosure (PGLD) Project Management Initiative Template (PMIT), to provide appropriate oversight and review of GL initiatives in the developmental stages.

GL will refer agreements to GL Counsel for review and clearance (including memorandums of understanding, Letters of Understanding, contracts, and so on) unless the document is a template previously approved by the appropriate GL Counsel.

IRM 37.1.3 Governmental Liaison Counsel Contacts, instructs Field Governmental Liaisons (GLs) to contact Associate SB/SE Area Counsel for legal advice on routine matters relating to GL programs. The current list of Associate Area Counsel contacts by state can be found at https://administrative.prod.irscounsel.treas.gov/SBSE_Contacts/Pages/Government%20Liaison.aspx.

The vast resources available through the Internet provide a wealth of information that is not only available to the public, but that can be useful in resolving a variety of Governmental Liaison (GL) questions and issues.

The IRS Source is essential to the GL as a primary source of information. It efficiently directs employees to content and services available on the IRS Intranet, which they need to perform their duties. Through the IRS Source, GL staff should visit:

GL SharePoint Main Page, accessible to GL employees only, is a major resource of a variety of important information about GL programs, GL HQ/Policy Analyst assignments and Governmental Liaison, Disclosure, and Safeguards communiques, and it provides other links to key information.

Governmental Liaisons (GLs) may receive requests for statistical data from federal, state, or local governmental agencies. GLs will refer to the procedures in Disclosure IRM 11.3.32.19 , Special Statistical Studies, Compilations, and Other Services, to advise them to make requests to the Statistics of Income (SOI) Division pursuant to IRC 6108(b).

GLs may provide further guidance and assistance to requesters by referring them to SOI tax statistics web page at: https://www.irs.gov/statistics.

GLs may refer to SOI IRM 1.13.1.7, Statistical Services - Out-Service Requests, for additional information about requests for statistical data.

GLs will refer unresolved inquiries to the appropriate Disclosure Office for assistance.

Governmental Liaison (GL) staff may receive requests for information and assistance from external stakeholders on a variety of topics, including questions about tax law provisions, IRS administrative procedures, IRS policies, legislative matters and IRS testimony. Such requests require that GL staff either respond independently or request the assistance of the IRS business operating divisions or other organizations, such as Disclosure and Counsel (General Legal Services (GLS), Procedure and Administration (P&A) or the Associate SB/SE Counsel as per guidance for Field GLs in IRM 11.4.1.18, Coordination of Governmental Liaison Program Legal Issue with GL Counsel).

Upon receiving information and assistance requests from external agencies, GL staff will conduct initial research using the many research tools available, including, but not limited to, the variety of electronic resources described in IRM 11.4.1.19, Effective Use of Intranet/Internet Resources.

If GL staff is unable to resolve inquiries using the available research tools, such as for technical or complex issues, they may need to request the assistance of the appropriate business operating division. GL staff will contact local business operating division staff to try to resolve the issue or question.

In the event GLs are unable to resolve information and assistance requests locally, they will request the assistance of GL HQ/Policy Analysts, as discussed in IRM 11.4.1.21.1, Wage and Investment (W&I), through IRM 11.4.1.21.4, Large Business and International (LB&I), below.

GLs will direct agencies to submit inquiries related to the Safeguard Program and/or requests for assistance related to compliance with IRS safeguard requirements, including safeguard report requirements, to the Safeguards mailbox, at "SafeguardReports@irs.gov" for direct response by Safeguards. GLs will not attempt to answer questions on behalf of Safeguards, unless Safeguards provides GL information with which to respond.

GL may receive requests for technical and legislative assistance, including requests for IRS testimony or written advice on tax matters, from state officials. GL staff will contact Disclosure and/or refer to Disclosure IRM 11.3.35.3, Requests Requiring Special Processing, for assistance on requests and demands for testimony or for the production of IRS documents.

In a federally declared disaster and emergency situation, the Governmental Liaison (GL) will support efforts to provide assistance, reduce burden, and provide relief to the impacted taxpayers. See IRM 25.16.1, Disaster Assistance and Emergency Relief, and the Disaster Assistance web site at the following: http://mysbse.web.irs.gov/opsupport/hc/facilitiesorganizationalsupport/continuityofop/disaster/default.aspx. The GL Disaster Assistance Coordinator will direct the GL Disaster Response. There are 10 GL Regional Disaster Assistance Coordinators (RDACs) that have the major role in GL Disaster Response. Field GLs will work closely with the RDAC in coordinating the disaster response.

The GL will identify state taxing authorities whose states or districts are impacted by a disaster and provide information to them as to the steps being taken to assist disaster victims with their tax affairs.

RDACs will contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to obtain the locations of Disaster Recovery Centers and coordinate information with the State Disaster Assistance Coordinator in Communications and Stakeholder Outreach (CSO), Field.

The GL will assist CSO, as necessary, in coordinating with state departments of revenue to staff the FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers.

The GL will assist, as necessary, with information dissemination.

The GL will use and timely update the Crisis Communication Plan.

RDACs and GLs, upon direction from the GL Disaster Coordinator, will staff FEMA Joint Field Operations (JFOs), when assigned. JFOs are generally established for large-scale disasters.

Speaking at meetings, conferences and other forums, and participating in seminars or meetings provide excellent opportunities for IRS representatives to share information with external governmental agency partners. The IRS strategic plan and business operating division business plans and priorities will drive decisions on whether to provide speakers to external agency requesters, in accordance with IRS Policy Statement 11-93, regarding speaking, writing engagements and contacts with outside groups. See IRM 1.2.1.11.8, Policy Statement 11-93 (Formerly P-1-181), Speaking, writing engagements and contact with outside groups are encouraged subject to limitations.

State departments of revenue, other federal state and local agencies may request IRS speakers for various reasons. These requests could range from IRS procedural issues to filing season updates and tax law changes. Many of the requests will be for local purposes, such as staff meetings, CPEs and other training. For example, a state revenue agency may be involved in planning a Federation of Tax Administrators meeting or conference and may want a business operating division subject matter expert or other speaker from IRS senior management or executive staff.

To help achieve the best results for external agency needs, the Governmental Liaison (GL) staff will follow the procedures below to secure a speaker upon receiving a request from an external agency (other than for IRS Commissioner or Deputy Commissioners, which are covered in (5) below.

Requests Received in GL HQ/Policy:

GL Field and HQ/Policy staff will immediately forward speaker requests for IRS Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners by completing the appropriate Form 14148 via email to the GL HQ/Policy SRC after approval by the appropriate GL Chief or the GL HQ/Policy Chief.

The GL HQ/Policy SRC will review approved requests and will obtain the further approval of the Associate Director, GL, before taking further action to process the requests. After obtaining the approval of the Associate Director, GL, the GL HQ/Policy SRC will process the requests as follows:

The International Visitors Program (IVP) provides government officials from other countries with an opportunity to receive clear and concise briefings on the U.S. Internal Revenue Service’s programs and policies. The briefings, given by IRS experts, assist the foreign country with its organization, strategic goals and plans. Only publicly available information may be provided to foreign tax officials through the International Visitors’ Program (IVP). The IRS does NOT accept applications from non-government entities, interns, fellows, or students working on degrees or research.

An IVP Application requesting a visit to the IRS must be in writing and originate from the country’s taxing authority. It must come through appropriate government channels, and all participants must be national, state or local government officials involved in taxation. They must send the written request forty-five (45) days in advance to allow time for the IRS IVP Office to schedule presentations on the topics requested, identify the IRS experts who will meet with the officials, and allow the experts sufficient time to prepare the presentations.

More information on the IVP is at this website:
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/international-businesses/internal-revenue-service-international-visitors-program-ivp and IRM 4.62.1, International Visitor’s Program (IVP) Overview.

The Privacy, Governmental Liaison, and Disclosure Associate Director or Governmental Liaison may support the program as a speaker or secure a speaker from a state tax office.

Direct any questions to the HQ/Policy Analyst assigned the Large Business and International IVP Program.