Administering Social Benefits through Tax Codes

The Department of the Treasury's Internal Revenue Service (IRS), specifically the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), has issued a Special Notice requesting information from potential contractors regarding a joint research project on administering social benefits through the tax system. This Request for Information (RFI) is designed to explore the economic implications and administrative feasibility of various legislative and administrative proposals related to social benefit delivery. The opportunity is set aside for small businesses and focuses on developing a comprehensive evaluation of how social benefits can be more effectively integrated into tax code mechanisms. The RFI was posted on December 30, 2024, with responses due by January 30, 2025, and targets firms with expertise in tax policy economic analysis, statistical research, and comprehensive policy evaluation.

The primary objective of this research project is to conduct a holistic assessment of social benefits administration, with specific emphasis on examining the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) structure, qualifying child definitions, and Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) procedures. Eligible contractors must demonstrate significant experience in tax policy research, with preferred qualifications including team members holding advanced degrees such as Ph.D.s in economics or related fields. The project requires a detailed response template covering company profile information and technical capabilities, including team composition, expertise levels, proposed timeframes, and preliminary cost estimates. Contractors will be expected to work with aggregate tax data provided by TAS to analyze pain points in benefits administration, evaluate demographic impacts, and draft comprehensive research reports. The anticipated period of performance is 12 months, with potential option periods, and the work will be conducted remotely without requiring government facility access.