Your IRS master file is a data base of electronic information about your tax accounts which is maintained by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  The IRS master file consists of a series of runs, data records and numerous files linked to numerous IRS systems within the main computer and various campuses.  The IRS master file receives transactions through electronic submissions.  The IRS master file posts and analyzes the transactions and produces output information such as notice data, reports and refund data.  The IRS master file produces numerous types of notices which are mailed to the taxpayer.  The IRS master file is also known as the IMF master file (IMF).

A forensic accountant with specialized knowledge and training in IRS issues is necessary to correctly analyze the IRS master file and understand the information it contains. 

The following IRS website provides some additional information on the IRS master file (IMF).

http://apps3.irs.gov/pub/irs-pia/imf_pia.pdf

The data maintained in the IRS master file (IMF) is too large to be printed on a single transcript such as an Individual master file (IMF) Specific or a business master file (BMF specific.  There are numerous formats in which the IRS master file data can be printed in a transcript form.

An example of the information your IRS master file (IMF) can tell you is:

• Did you file a tax return and what date was your return filed, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Has IRS begun Substitute for Return (SFR) procedures and if so when, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Has IRS opened an examination on a return you have filed, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Is there a balance owed and how much, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have penalties and interest been assessed, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• What type of penalties have been assessed and when, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have you been assessed a deficiency and when, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have you been issued collection due process hearing rights and when, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have you requested a Collection Due Process (CDP) hearing and when, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have you petitioned the Tax Court and when, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have you filed a bankruptcy petition and when, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• What is the assessment statute expiration date (ASED), your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• What is the collection statute expiration date (CSED), your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• What is the refund statute expiration date (RSED), your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have any statutes of limitations been extended and why, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have all your payments been applied to your account, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have your payments been properly characterized, such as, withholdings, estimated, subsequent, levy, seizure, etc., your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have you been issued statutory notices such as notice and demand, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Has a Notice of Federal Tax Lien (NFTL) been filed and when, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have any “Hold Codes” or “Freeze Codes” been placed on your account, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have you entered into any installment agreements, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Have you submitted an Offer in Compromise (OIC) and when, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information
• Has an offer in compromise been rejected and when, your IRS master file (IMF) contains this information

The above list is only a sample of the information that can be found in your IRS master file (IMF).

The IRS master file (IMF) is a critical set of evidence in identifying problems and solutions for all tax issues.  We apply forensic accounting expertise in reading and understanding the IRS master file (IMF) and the information it contains.

Please call 1-800-447-6181 for a free confidential consultation.