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What tool does the IRS use to investigate who is responsible for unpaid payroll taxes?
PostedNovember 17, 2025
UpdatedNovember 17, 2025
ByKlemens Raab
The IRS uses Form 4180, which is completed during an interview with the business\’s decision-makers to identify who was in control of financial operations and whether they acted willfully.
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Resolving Payroll Tax Debts
- Why are payroll taxes a common issue for small businesses?
- Why are unpaid payroll taxes referred to as the "easiest loan to take and the hardest to pay back"?
- How do unpaid payroll taxes create personal liability for business owners?
- What portion of federal revenue is collected through payroll taxes?
- What are the primary payroll tax forms employers must file?
- What is FICA, and what are its components?
- What are "trust funds" in the payroll tax context?
- What is IRC 6672?
- What two conditions must be met for 6672 liability?
- How does the IRS define willfulness under 6672?
- What is the Trust Fund Recovery Penalty (TFRP)?
- What tool does the IRS use to investigate who is responsible for unpaid payroll taxes?
- Why should tax practitioners avoid letting clients attend Form 4180 interviews alone?
- What is IRS Letter 1153?
- How long does a taxpayer have to protest a Letter 1153 assessment?
- What is IRC 3505?
- What are the criminal statutes associated with payroll tax noncompliance?
- Has there been an increase in criminal payroll tax enforcement?
- What is the FTD Alert Program?
- What are the three FTD Alert categories?
- What is the IRS's goal with FTD Alerts?
- How quickly should a Revenue Officer respond to an FTD Alert?
- What is the IRS doing since 2022 to address payroll tax misuse?
- Can payroll tax misuse lead to income tax fraud charges?
- What should practitioners do if the IRS assesses a fraud penalty related to payroll tax use?
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