The IRS Strategic Goals will guide resource decisions, programs and operations to meet the changing needs and expectations of taxpayers and members of the tax community who serve taxpayers. Our Strategic Plan aligns with the goals and objectives in the Department of the Treasury's FY2018-2022 Strategic Plan, namely: Treasury Objective 1.1: Tax Law Implementation Treasury Objective 4.1: Financial Data Access and Use Treasury Objectives 5.1-3: Workforce Management, Treasury Infrastructure and Customer Value Our Strategic Plan also aligns with and supports our contributions to the Treasury Agency Reform Plan, which outlines how we will improve the taxpayer experience and modernize our operations. We are coordinating with Treasury and Congress to implement the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act as quickly as possible so taxpayers can understand the changes and requirements and comply with them in the least burdensome way. The plan reflects the IRS’s critical role in tax administration and in an expanding global tax environment. By focusing on combating the increased prevalence of refund fraud and identity theft, transforming taxpayer services to meet taxpayer expectations, maintaining a skilled and talented workforce, increasing operational efficiency and effectiveness, and meeting the tax needs of a diverse U.S. population, the plan is a guide to accomplishing the IRS mission and vision successfully. Our Six Strategic Goals Empower and enable all taxpayers to meet their tax obligations We will empower taxpayers by making it easier for them to understand and meet their filing, reporting and payment obligations. We continue to add and enhance tools and support to improve taxpayers’ and tax professionals’ interactions with the IRS on whichever channel they prefer. Learn More Protect the integrity of the tax system by encouraging compliance through administering and enforcing the tax code The American tax system is based on voluntary compliance and supported by appropriate enforcement. As part of our efforts to close the tax gap,1 we will pursue innovative approaches to understand, detect and resolve potential noncompliance. We will use behavioral insights on how people process and react to information. This will inform how we design programs to encourage voluntary compliance. Learn More Collaborate with external partners proactively to improve tax administration Partnerships with our stakeholders enrich service to taxpayers. Collaboration will yield innovative solutions to pressing problems, improving the taxpayer experience. We will engage partners to improve service and outreach to taxpayers, enhance global collaboration and share leading practices. Learn More Cultivate a well-equipped, diverse, flexible and engaged workforce Our employees are committed to serving the American taxpayer. We strive for a culture that values innovation, welcomes multiple perspectives and celebrates diversity. Our approach to development will be complemented by a forward-looking talent management strategy that considers future business and stakeholder needs. Learn More Advance data access, usability and analytics to inform decision-making and improve operational outcomes We’ll continue to use data to drive decisions and make the most effective use of our resources. Advancements across the full data lifecycle — from collection to storage to access to analysis — will allow us to better deploy data and implement insights. Improving data and analytics provides a repeatable process for selecting and assigning work. Learn More Drive increased agility, efficiency, effectiveness and security in IRS operations We will focus on streamlining and simplifying our business processes to serve taxpayers better and improve our stewardship of taxpayer resources. Efficient operations and modern infrastructure are the foundation of a stable, reliable organization and are essential elements of sustaining excellent service and enforcement capabilities. Strong data systems are critical to safeguarding taxpayer and employee data from threats. Learn More Footnotes 1. The gross tax gap is the amount of true tax liability that is not paid voluntarily and timely. IRS Strategic Plan, Fiscal Year 2018-2022 Download Strategic PlanPDF
