Reston, Virginia - July 25, 2011 - In a recently published study, The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Wage & Investment Research & Analysis (WIRA) division found compliance with tax regulations is not dependent on the use of a specific tax service, but is dependent on other factors such as publications. Performed with the support of Information Experts, the 2009 multi-city tax study measured the benefit of taxpayer services in relationship to taxpayer compliance. The IRS published the results in the IRS National Media Relations Branch, the BNA Daily Tax Report, and also showcased it at the IRS National Conference.

As a result of Information Experts’ involvement with recruitment, the IRS was able to report an increase in participation, motivation, and ability to recruit better qualified participants than the 1989 and 2006 studies. In addition, the previous studies were not conducted across multiple cities.

Information Experts recruited 1,027 participants, which reflected an accurate cross-section of the United States (U.S.) population in 2009. The study required respondents’ participation on-site across four major metropolitan cities: Atlanta, Boston, St. Louis, and Seattle. Information Experts managed the on-site logistics of conducting the study, which included securing participant confidentiality and anonymity. Information Experts also ensured a balanced amount of participants per session to accommodate the classroom-sized facilities.

According to Saima Mehmood, Social Scientist from the IRS WIRA division, results from the study could result in “significant operational change, outreach strategies, forms, and publications.” Understanding the barriers for taxpayer compliance will allow the IRS to target these challenges and increase overall compliance.

About the Internal Revenue Service (Wage & Investment Division)

The Wage & Investment Division’s mission is to provide top quality service by helping taxpayers understand and comply with applicable tax laws and to protect the public interest by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all. The Wage & Investment Division supports the IRS’s strategic goals and objectives through initiatives that include, but are not limited to:

• Addressing the increasing demand for timely, accurate service and reducing taxpayer burden
• Addressing the increasing demand for electronic products and services
• Balancing compliance and outreach activities to enhance delivery of Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) initiatives
• Continuing to evaluate the tax administration support needs of individual taxpayers as part of its overall management of its portfolio of services and delivery channels

About Information Experts

Smart. Compelling. Transformative. Information Experts is an award winning 8(a), woman-owned, firm creating effective communication solutions since 1995. Listed as one of the Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies in 2009, 2010 and 2011, Information Experts has established itself as one of the nation’s premier strategic communications firms in the Washington, D.C., area.