IRS Finalizes Tip Reporting Agreements

In May 2000, the IRS published, in proposed form, five voluntary agreements for use in its TRD/EP. (For summaries of Announcements 2000-19 through 23, see Tax Notes, May 1, 2000, pg. 625-626; for the full text of Announcement 2000-19, see Doc 2000-11907 (11 original pages), 2000 TNT 82-3 , or H&D, Apr. 27, 2000; for the full text of Announcement 2000-20, see Doc 2000-11908 (14 original pages), 2000 TNT 82-4 , or H&D, Apr. 27, 2000, p. 872; for the full text of Announcement 2000-21, see Doc 2000-11909 (11 original pages), 2000 TNT 82-5 , or H&D, Apr. 27, 2000, p. 876; for the full text of Announcement 2000-22, see Doc 2000-11910 (11 original pages), 2000 TNT 82-6 , or H&D, Apr. 27, 2000, p. 880; for the full text of Announcement 2000-23, see Doc 2000-11911 (14 original pages), 2000 TNT 82-7 , or H&D, Apr. 27, 2000, p. 883.) Final versions of those agreements, which are substantially the same as the proposed agreements, are available at the IRS's Web site at http:www.irs.gov/bus_info/msu-info.html.

Voluntary Tip Agreements for Employers of Tipped Employees

[1] The Internal Revenue Service has finalized pro forma Tip Rate Determination Agreements (TRDA) and Tip Reporting Alternative Commitment (TRAC) agreements for use in its Tip Rate Determination/Education Program (TRD/EP). The TRD/EP is designed to enhance tax compliance among tipped employees through taxpayer education and voluntary advance agreements instead of traditional audit techniques.

[2] The Service published five voluntary agreements in proposed form on May 8, 2000 (see 2000-19 I.R.B.): (1) a revised TRAC agreement for use in the cosmetology and barber industry (Announcement 2000-21), (2) a revised TRAC agreement for use in the food and beverage industry (Announcement 2000-22), (3) a revised TRDA for use in the food and beverage industry (Announcement 2000-23), (4) a new TRAC agreement for use in industries other than the food and beverage industry and the cosmetology and barber industry in which tipped employees receive both cash and charged tips (Announcement 2000-19), and (5) a new TRDA for use in industries other than the food and beverage industry and the gaming industry (Announcement 2000-20).

[3] Final versions of these agreements are available on the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/bus_info/msu-info.html. They can also be obtained from any IRS office. The substance of the revised agreements has not changed.

[4] The Service received comments from interested persons and has incorporated most of the comments in the final versions. Two commentators expressed concern about the employer that has already entered into an agreement and that may be interested in replacing its existing agreement with the new updated agreement. One commentator suggested that the updated provisions of the revised agreements automatically be extended to employers that have an existing agreement. The Service wants to offer employers the broadest choice of voluntary compliance agreements and recognizes that some employers may choose to continue to be bound by their existing agreements.

[5] Another commentator suggested notifying employers who have existing agreements of the availability of the new updated agreement. These employers would be advised that, if they choose to enter into a new agreement, the old agreement will automatically terminate. In response to this comment, the Service has added a new Termination of prior agreement section to the termination provisions of the first three agreements listed above. The new provision states:

Termination of prior agreements. Any prior [TRAC agreement or

[7] Taxpayers interested in learning more about these agreements should contact their local tip coordinator. A list of tip coordinators is available at http://www.irs.gov/bus_info/tip- coord.html.

DRAFTING INFORMATION

[8] The principal author of this announcement is Karin Loverud of the Office of Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt and Government Entities). For further information regarding this announcement or any of the voluntary agreements, contact Ida Volz of the Office of Compliance Policy on (202) 622-5532.