Does a pending challenge to an IRS audit cancel Virginia's assessment based on the current federal adjustment?

Subject

Federal Adjusted Gross Income, Audit, Federal Changes, Taxpayer Advocate Service

Plain-English summary

Virginia upheld a 2013 individual income tax assessment that matched the IRS's current audit adjustment to the taxpayers' federal adjusted gross income. Their ongoing challenge through the federal Taxpayer Advocate Service did not make the existing Virginia assessment incorrect.

Virginia generally starts with federal adjusted gross income and does not look behind the IRS's final determination. The current assessment therefore remained due and payable.

If the IRS later revised its findings, the taxpayers could file an amended Virginia return within one year of the final federal change. The refund would be limited to the decrease in Virginia tax attributable to that federal change, and the regulation recognizes that a taxable year can have more than one final federal determination.

Citations and references

• Va. Code §§ 58.1-301 and 58.1-322.
• Va. Code §§ 58.1-311 and 58.1-312(A)(3).
• Va. Code § 58.1-1823(A)(ii).
• 23 VAC 10-20-180(B).
• P.D. 11-107.

Source

• Landing page: Virginia Laws, Rules & Decisions
• Ruling: P.D. 17-197

Original ruling text

November 16, 2017

Re: § 58.1-1821 Application: Individual Income Tax

Dear *:

This will respond to your letter in which you seek correction of the individual income tax assessment issued to * (the “Taxpayers”) for the taxable year ended December 31, 2013.

FACTS

The Taxpayers, a husband and wife, filed a Virginia individual income tax return for the 2013 taxable year. The Department received information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that the Taxpayers' federal adjusted gross income was adjusted under audit. In response, the Department adjusted the Taxpayers' FAGI to match the federal record and issued an assessment for additional tax and interest. The Taxpayers filed an appeal, contending they were contesting the audit through the federal Taxpayer Advocate Service.

DETERMINATION

Virginia Code § 58.1-301 provides, with certain exceptions, that terminology and references used in Title 58.1 of the Code of Virginia have the same meaning as provided in the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), unless a different meaning is clearly required. For individual income tax purposes, Virginia conforms to federal law, in that it starts the computation of Virginia taxable income with federal adjusted gross income (FAGI). Income included in the FAGI of a Virginia resident is subject to taxation by Virginia, unless it is specifically exempt as a Virginia modification pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-322.

The Department received notification from the IRS that the Taxpayers' FAGI was adjusted under audit. Typically, where the IRS has audited the federal taxable income of a taxpayer, the Department does not look behind the IRS's final determination. See Public Document (P.D.) 11-107 (6/14/2011). Virginia Code § 58.1-311 requires individuals to report a change or correction in federal taxable income within one year of the final determination of such change or correction by filing an amended return with the Department. If the taxpayer fails to file an amended return, Va. Code § 58.1-312 A 3 permits the Department to assess the appropriate tax at any time.

Generally, Va. Code § 58.1-1823 allows a taxpayer to file an amended return within three years from the last day prescribed by law for the timely filing of the return. Virginia Code § 58.1-1823, however, also includes a number of exceptions to the general rule when specific circumstances are present. Under Va. Code § 58.1-1823 A (ii), a taxpayer may timely file an amended return within one year from the final determination of any change or correction in the liability of the taxpayer for any federal tax upon which the state tax is based, provided that the refund does not exceed the amount of the decrease in Virginia tax attributable to such federal change or correction.

Under Title 23 of the Virginia Administrative Code (VAC) 10-20-180 B, a final determination of a change in liability for the federal tax includes, with certain exceptions, the refund by the IRS of any federal income or estate tax. A final determination may also include a copy of an RAR, Form 870, 90-day letter, closing agreement, or court decision. Thus, under Title 23 VAC 10-20-180 B, a taxpayer may have more than one final determination for a given taxable year. Therefore, if the IRS adjusts its audit findings for the 2013 taxable year, the Taxpayers will be permitted to file an amended return to correct their liability pursuant to Va. Code § 58.1-311 and Va. Code § 58.1-1823 A (ii).

However, the assessment based on current IRS information is considered correct and remains due and payable. A revised bill with interest accrued to date, will be mailed shortly to the Taxpayer. No further interest will accrue provided the outstanding assessment is paid within 30 days from the date of the bill.

The Code of Virginia sections, regulation, and public document cited are available on-line at www.tax.virginia.gov in the Laws, Rules & Decisions section of the Department's web site. If you have any questions regarding this determination, you may contact * in the Department's Office of Tax Policy, Appeals and Rulings, at ***.

Sincerely,

Craig M. Burns

Tax Commissioner

AR/1285.B