Internal Revenue Manual
IRM 11.1.3 — Contact with the Public and the Media
Part 11. Communications and Liaison
Chapter 1. CommunicationsSection 3. Contact with the Public and the Media 11.1.3 Contact with the Public and the Media Manual Transmittal April 13, 2026 Purpose (1) This transmits revised IRM 11.1.3, Communications, Contact with the Public and the Media.. Material Changes (1) This IRM has been expanded and reorganized to conform to the internal control requirements. (2) IRM 11.1.3.1: Renamed Program Scope and Objectives (to include Background, Authority, Roles and Responsibilities, Program Management and Review, Program Controls, Terms and Acronyms and Related Resources). (3) IRM 11.1.3.2: Updated text to provide overview of Media Relations responsibilities, incorporating text from previous section 11.1.3.3 (1). (4) IRM 11.1.3: Renamed Employee Interactions with the News Media; removed subsection 11.1.3.3 (3). (5) IRM 11.1.3.4: Products and Services: Renumbered and revised to add subsection on Disaster communications; removed Tax Tips from email subscriptions since that subscription is no longer managed by the Media Relations branch. (6) IRM 11.1.3.5: Updated text to provide additional information on Media Relations products and services, added subsection on Disaster Communications, removed Tax Tips from email subscriptions. (7) IRM 11.1.3.7: Added, News Coverage of Tax Prosecutions. Effect on Other DocumentsIRM 11.1.3 dated October 10, 2014 is superseded. AudienceAll Business Units Effective Date(04-13-2026)Signed byAmy KlonskyCommunications & Liaison
Program Scope and Objectives
11.1.3.1 (04-13-2026) Program Scope and Objectives Purpose: This IRM outlines the basic methods for disseminating information to the public through the media. The methods are described in general terms. The omission of any method or media type does not mean its use, if warranted, is prohibited. Audience: The primary users of this IRM are the Media Relations (MR) branch as well as business unit (BU) communication specialists. Policy Owner: Office of Communications. Program Owner: Media Relations Branch. Primary Stakeholders: All business units (BUs). Contact Information: To learn more about disseminating information to the public through the media, contact the MR Branch at 202-317-4000.
Background
11.1.3.1.1 (04-13-2026) Background The MR branch develops and implements an overall media strategy in support of the entire IRS. The branch serves as the IRS's single point of contact for all media. The branch works on a variety of issues involving national and local media, and in communicating with the public. MR consults with all Communications and Liaison (C&L) functions, other IRS communication organizations, and BUs to deliver external communications strategically designed to support the IRS' business objectives. These goals are achieved by following the processes and procedures in this IRM. Note that the Taxpayer Advocate Service operates independently from the IRS with its own communications function and may coordinate with MR branch on news releases it issues.
Authority
11.1.3.1.2 (04-13-2026) Authority Policy Statement 11-91 (Formerly P-1-179), Mass information program necessary to IRS' objective (IRM 1.2.1.11.6) Since taxpayers must compute their taxes under a body of complex laws and regulations, the IRS has the responsibility of providing taxpayers with all possible information to assist them in the fulfilling their obligations. Mass communication, which adequately informs taxpayers of their obligations, represents a potential for reducing more costly efforts of providing direct assistance, correction of errors and follow up on delinquencies. The IRS conducts a continuous and vigorous information program through the mass media to help achieve its objective of enhancing voluntary compliance with federal tax laws and regulations. Policy Statement 11-92 (Formerly P-1-180), Cooperation with mass media encouraged (IRM 1.2.1.11.7)The IRS recognizes the people's right to know about their tax laws and how they are being administered. The rights of members of the press and other media agencies to pursue their objectives are likewise recognized. In view of the important contributions made by press, radio, television, magazine and other mass media toward disseminating tax information to the public, and otherwise facilitating administration of the tax laws, the IRS cooperates with such media in every reasonable way permitted by law.
Roles and Responsibilities
11.1.3.1.3 (04-13-2026) Roles and Responsibilities Director of Communications: Reports directly to the Chief, C&L of the IRS. Is responsible for planning, managing, directing and implementing the IRS's communications and campaign development programs. Associate Director, Office of Communications (OC): Assists the Director, OC in planning, directing and implementing the OC activities through subordinate staff and other C&L functions, including MR, internal and external communications, social media and web management. Is responsible for identifying and resolving emerging issues, ensuring a proactive approach to legislative changes, MR and internal communications and for effectively meeting internal and external customers' and employees' communications needs. Chief, MR Branch: Reports directly to the Director, OC. Is responsible for overseeing the direction of the MR Branch. Manages and coordinates media activities throughout the nation; works with the C&L senior executives, BU senior executives and managers to set media policy for the IRS; develops media strategies; and prepares responses to inquiries on highly technical and sensitive IRS issues. Is responsible for supervising MR staff and determining their work activities consistent with national policies and procedures. Section Managers: Report directly to the chief, MR branch. Are responsible for overseeing the external communications activities of each section. Are responsible for supervising the assigned MR specialists within their section. C&L MR specialists: Report directly to a section manager. Are responsible for developing, distributing, and measuring communications. The MR branch's focus is to build understanding of the IRS and its missions, programs and policies through working with the media and ultimately communicating to the public. MR staff develop products, and work with internal customers on media strategies. MR staff answer media questions, collect data from around the IRS to answer media queries, and serve as spokespersons to conduct print, radio and other broadcast interviews. In addition, MR coordinates media contacts with the Commissioner, national headquarters (NHQ) and BU executives. MR staff members prepare IRS subject matter experts for interviews with members of the press. Interviews may be one-on-one or coordinated as a larger press event with multiple speakers and media outlets. MR also does bilingual translations for IRS products and conducts interviews in multiple languages with media outlets.
Program Management and Review
11.1.3.1.4 (04-13-2026) Program Management and Review MR provides program updates in the monthly Operations Reviews to the Director, OC. MR participates in and contributes to the quarterly C&L Business Performance Reviews (BPRs).
Program Controls
11.1.3.1.5 (04-13-2026) Program Controls The MR branch handles all requests by national and local media. BUs must contact MR before responding to a major national or local media outlet. If BU employees are contacted by the media for the purpose of obtaining the official IRS position regarding procedures, policies or other matters, they must refer the media inquiry to MR or their embedded BU communications specialist. An appropriate response will be decided. The MR branch handles inquiries and responses to media in multiple languages. The IRS Commissioner and other top-level executives occasionally grant media interviews. Requests for executive interviews must be directed to the MR branch. The MR branch conducts media training for IRS employees that may need to interact with the media and perform interviews through the course of their duties.
Terms and Acronyms
11.1.3.1.6 (04-13-2026) Terms and Acronyms Media defined in this IRM includes television, radio, newspapers, newsletters, tax press and other print publications and podcasts. BU - Business Unit C&L - Communications and Liaison NHQ - National Headquarters OC - Office of Communications MR - Media Relations .
Related Resources
11.1.3.1.7 (04-13-2026) Related Resources IRM 1.1.11, Chief, Communications and Liaison. IRM 1.1.11.2, Office of Communications. Helpful links on the Media Relations (Share Point).
Media Relations
11.1.3.2 (04-13-2026) Media Relations The MR branch is responsible for developing and implementing an overall media strategy in support of the IRS. The MR staff serve as the single point of contact for all media. This includes handling media requests, directly interacting with the media, and coordinating responses with BU communications specialists, NHQ executives or other designated personnel. MR is responsible for pitching IRS stories on various topics and initiatives to national and local media outlets, and for coordinating and distributing all national and local news releases for the IRS.
Employee Interactions with the News Media
11.1.3.3 (04-13-2026) Employee Interactions with the News Media If IRS employees are contacted by the media for the purpose of obtaining the official IRS position regarding procedures, policies or other matters, employees must refer the media inquiry to the MR branch (202-317-4000 or *IRS Newsroom) or their BU communications specialist. Personal views are actions, statements, and digital and analog communications made by employees in their individual capacity and not on behalf of the agency. IRS employees may communicate with members of the news media orally, in writing and online, to express their personal views on matters of public concern without prior notification of, consultation with, or approval from the office of MR or any IRS supervisory authority. However, when communicating with the media under these circumstances, employees must make clear that they are expressing their own personal opinions and are not acting as official IRS spokespersons. When communicating with members of the news media, IRS employees may not reveal tax return information protected from disclosure by law, employee personnel information protected by privacy rules, and pre-decisional agency matters. Employees must refer tax law and case-related questions to the appropriate area of the IRS, and inquiries from tax practitioners to the proper stakeholder relations office. IRS employees are responsible for their media interactions, whether that be in person, in writing, on the telephone or online. Employees must not use IRS email, or any other IRS system that can identify an employee as such, for personal interactions with the media. If employees have questions regarding their communications with the media, they may contact the MR branch for assistance.
News Conferences and Briefings
11.1.3.4 (04-13-2026) News Conferences and Briefings These methods of disseminating information involve inviting representatives of mass media to a meeting with one or more knowledgeable IRS officials. A typical news conference may consist of an oral announcement by IRS officials, the distribution of a news release or other background material, and/or an oral question-and-answer exchange. The news conference or briefing is used only for matters of substantial importance to the public when the issuance of a release alone will not adequately serve the purpose. For example, the complexity of an important matter may require a face-to-face or telephone discussion with media representatives to ensure accurate coverage and understanding of the topic at hand. In other cases, reporters may be invited to a briefing for a single explanation that extends to all members of the media at the same time. This creates consistency of messaging. The MR branch must be contacted in advance of scheduling any news conferences or briefings to the media.
Products and Services
11.1.3.5 (04-13-2026) Products and Services Press Releases/Media Advisories: Used to disseminate messages and information to the media. Generally, the MR branch determines that a press release is needed and contacts the BU communications specialist to request either information or a draft news release. Sometimes, the BU contacts MR to ask for help in directing key information to the media. In these cases, the content owner creates the first draft, MR edits it for media audiences, and together they agree on final copy. While English is the official language, some press releases are translated into other languages by members of the MR branch when they are mission critical or legally required. Media Interviews and Inquiries: The MR branch handles all requests by national and local media. The BU communications specialist contacts MR before responding to a major national or local media outlet. If the media contacts employees for the purpose of obtaining the official IRS position regarding procedures, policies or other matters, IRS employees must refer the media inquiry to MR where an appropriate response will be decided. The MR branch handles all inquiries and responses to the media. Commissioner and Other Top Level Executive Interviews: Upon request, the IRS Commissioner and other top-level executives occasionally grant media interviews. Requests for executive interviews must be directed to the MR branch. Media Training: The MR branch provides media training to IRS employees who may need to speak with the media and perform interviews through the course of their duties. This training may be provided to newly hired communications specialists and other IRS employees such as tax assistance managers as needed. Media training is tailored according to the needs of the intended audience and may include the participation of subject matter experts from various BUs. Disaster Communications: During emergency events, MR branch employees serve as external communication public information officers, engaging with media where and when appropriate. Additionally, MR specialists prepare crisis communication plan documents for every post of duty. MR branch employees also participate in disaster preparedness exercises throughout the year. The IRS.gov Newsroom: The IRS Newsroom is accessible through the IRS Website at IRS.gov Newsroom. It is a portal for information geared to the media that includes news releases, fact sheets, disaster alerts, tax tips, and current national or local events. The MR branch has direct content ownership and maintenance of the Newsroom. Translations of Newsroom content is done by members of the MR branch. Email Subscriptions: Email subscriptions provide tax professionals and taxpayers with quick access to IRS information. Subscribers receive timely email notifications about important upcoming tax dates, updates to the IRS website, newly added tax forms and publications, news releases, and special announcements. Available subscriptions handled by MR include: GuideWire, which provides Revenue Rulings, Revenue Procedures, Notices, and Announcements. NewsWire which delivers news releases issued by the national MR office.
Clearance of Materials for Publication
11.1.3.6 (04-13-2026) Clearance of Materials for Publication IRS employees who are invited or are requesting permission to write about tax matters in a personal capacity for outside publications must clear their final manuscript and /or materials with their BU communications function. Approval of manuscripts will not be granted for material that deals with pending legislation; specific cases awaiting final disposition by the IRM; proposed regulations, procedures and policies which have not been finally and officially announced; or any information that is legally or administratively restricted. The following statement will be made a part of each manuscript, located preferably between the title and the body of the manuscript: "The content of this article is the opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the position of the Internal Revenue Service." The employee must also use his or her personal contact information, not IRS phone, email or address. Requests for clearance that involve a potentially controversial issue or where there is doubt regarding jurisdiction must be evaluated by the BU communications function. The BU is responsible for coordinating the approval and/or forwarding the potentially controversial issue to the national Director of Communications. For additional guidance, please refer to Policy Statement 11-93, Speaking, writing engagements and contact with outside groups are encouraged subject to limitations (IRM 1.2.1.11.8).
News Coverage of Tax Prosecutions
11.1.3.7 (04-13-2026) News Coverage of Tax Prosecutions IRM 9.3.2, Criminal Investigation, Publicity and Internal Communications, outlines procedures for the publicity of criminal matters. In general, the local IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) public affairs officer (PAO) and/or public information officer (PIO) work with the local U.S. Attorney in accordance with IRM 9.3.2 and the U.S. Department of Justice's guidelines under Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 50.2, "Release of information by personnel of the Department of Justice relating to criminal and civil proceedings" for publicity on local cases. For cases of national scope or for national media, the CI's Office of Communication coordinates publicity efforts with the MR branch. Publicity of a criminal case is generally up to the Department of Justice and/or the local U.S. Attorney. However, in some cases, the IRS may decide to proactively publicize criminal cases or issues. This is determined on a case-by-case basis and must be coordinated through CI PAOs/PIOs. For publicity of tax-fraud issues or tax schemes that are not case-related, the MR branch works with CI PAOs/PIOs to develop local or national strategies.
Source: official text