IRS 2021 DATA BOOK NOW AVAILABLE:
This report describes activities conducted by the Internal Revenue Service during Fiscal Year 2021 (October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021). It provides information on returns filed and taxes collected, enforcement, taxpayer assistance, the IRS budget and workforce, and other selected activities.
Letter from the Commissioner
“I’m pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2021 Internal Revenue Service Data Book. This publication will give everyone an idea of the important work that takes place at the IRS, year in and year out, to help taxpayers. We also hope it will help illustrate our accomplishments over the past year and the many ways IRS employees provide service to the nation.
Sharing these data will give readers insights into the broad scope of our work. My experience as Commissioner has strengthened my belief that a fully functioning IRS is critical to the success of our nation. Each year, the IRS collects more than $3 trillion in taxes and generates approximately 96 percent of the funding that supports the Federal Government’s ability to perform its vital functions, helping fund the great work of our nation on everything from education to defense. We serve and interact with more Americans than any other public or private organization.
The COVID-19 pandemic continued to present some of the greatest challenges in our agency’s history, and the way our employees responded illustrates the significant role that the IRS plays in the overall health of our country. Thanks to the agility and flexibility of our workforce, the IRS continues to operate in a virtual work environment, with the majority of employees working remotely to protect their safety.
During Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, IRS employees processed more than 261.0 million tax returns and other forms, including 167.9 million individual income tax returns, an increase of 6.8 percent from FY 2020. Electronically filed individual returns accounted for 90.0 percent (151.1 million) of these. More than 12.2 million business returns were filed, an increase of 7.7 percent from last year. Of these returns, 10.6 million were filed electronically, up from 10.4 million in FY 2020.
Again in 2021, we were called on to provide economic relief during this national crisis while also fulfilling our agency’s core responsibilities of tax administration. IRS employees answered Congress’ call to deliver two more rounds of Economic Impact Payments. The IRS also implemented changes to the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and other refundable credits as part of the American Rescue Plan Act passed by Congress in March 2021.”
Read the complete Commissioner’s letter and access the report here.
