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About This Quiz
The IRS has both supporters and detractors. Some people recognize its importance in maintaining government revenues, while others feel that it is merciless and out to get all your hard-earned cash. No matter what side of the fence you fall on, take this quiz to learn about the IRS.
What was one of the main reasons for the colonists' revolt against the British?
the colonists' wanting to have their own land
the harsh imposition of the death penalty
what they thought were unfair, high taxes
With regard to taxation law, what do Congress and the IRS each do?
Congress enacts the tax code while the IRS enforces it.
The IRS enacts the tax code while Congress enforces it.
Congress proposes tax laws while the IRS opposes them.
Who reportedly said the following words? "Nothing in this world is certain, except death and taxes."
George Washington
Benjamin Franklin
Abraham Lincoln
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What does "IRS" stand for?
International Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
Internal Rates Survey
With regard to tax collection, what were the terms under the Articles of Confederation?
that taxes were simply a remnant of British rule and were unnecessary
that the federal government should tax people, each person according to his means
that the federal government could request taxes from states on a voluntary basis
Why did former President Abraham Lincoln institute income taxes?
to pay for the Civil War
as the right thing to do
to provide revenue for the anti-slavery movement
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What organization predated the IRS as a tax collection agency?
the North American Revenue Fund
the American Office for Tax Collection
the Bureau of Internal Revenue
With the government shift toward progressive change before WWI, taxes were used to redirect the wealth of the rich to care for:
the welfare of the underprivileged
the future of the state
the underdog
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What did a congressional investigation reveal in the 1920s regarding BIR?
that taxes were here to stay
that there was a certain level of corruption
that the American public was groaning under the burden of heavy taxes
What did BIR do in 1953 in order to present a more positive image of its being for the people?
It changed its name to Internal Revenue Service.
It introduced incentives and tax breaks.
It launched a massive advertising campaign.
What was one of the major breakthroughs in protecting the rights of the average citizen with the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act (1998)?
that the IRS had to give advance warning before it collected your taxes
that citizens could choose how much tax they wanted to pay
that the burden of proof would sometimes fall on the IRS in case of dispute
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What were some of the factors that led to BIR's failure?
exceedingly high expenses and lack of office space
a high staff turnover and favoritism
inconsistencies in following the law and rivalry within the organization
How many staff members does the IRS employ nationwide?
more than 30,000 people
more than 60,000 people
more than 100,000 people
How long is the tenure of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue?
five years, although the contract is renewable
10 years
12 years
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Who advises the IRS on legal matters?
the chief counsel
the commissioner of Internal Revenue
the president
Which nine-member body acts as a check on the IRS's fairness to the taxpayer?
the Senate
the IRS Oversight Board
IRS Citizens' Representative Counsel
What is the function of an IRS audit?
to get you to pay more taxes
to prove your guilt in withholding taxes
to ensure that you paid whatever you owed in taxes
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