IRS Seeks Comments for 2016-2017 Priority Guidance Plan

The IRS recently invited public comment on recommendations for items that should be included in the 2016-2017 Priority Guidance Plan. The IRS sets priority guidance plans each year and updates them on a quarterly basis. The IRS uses the priority guidance plan each year to identify and prioritize the tax issues that should be addressed through regulations, revenue rulings, revenue procedures, notices, and other published administrative guidance. The 2016-2017 Priority Guidance Plan will identify guidance projects that the IRS intends to work on actively as priorities during the period from July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2017.

In reviewing recommendations and selecting projects for inclusion on the 2016-2017 Priority Guidance Plan, the IRS will consider the following:

• Whether the recommended guidance resolves significant issues relevant to many taxpayers;
• Whether the recommended guidance promotes sound tax administration;
• Whether the recommended guidance can be drafted in a manner that will enable taxpayers to easily understand and apply the guidance;
• Whether the recommended guidance involves regulations that are outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome and that should be modified, streamlined, expanded, or repealed;
• Whether the Service can administer the recommended guidance on a uniform basis; and
• Whether the recommended guidance reduces controversy and lessens the burden on taxpayers or the Service.

The IRS is asking for recommendations by May 16, 2016, for possible inclusion on the original 2016-2017 Priority Guidance Plan. You may, however, submit recommendations for guidance at any time during the year. The IRS may update the 2016-2017 Priority Guidance Plan periodically to reflect additional guidance that the IRS intend to publish during the plan year. The periodic updates allow the IRS to respond to the need for additional guidance that may arise during the plan year.

You may mail comments to: Internal Revenue Service; Attn: CC:PA:LPD:PR (Notice 2016-26); Room 5203; P.O. Box 7604; Ben Franklin Station; Washington, D.C. 20044. Alternatively, you may submit comments electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at www.regulations.gov (type IRS-2016-0012 in the search field on the regulations.gov homepage to find this notice and submit comments).