Get Revenue Procedure 1996-4 - Rulings And Determination Letters

While a revenue ruling generally states an IRS position, a revenue procedure provides return filing or other instructions concerning an IRS position.

What Is a Revenue Ruling? A revenue ruling is a public decree issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that essentially has the force of law. A revenue ruling outlines the IRS's interpretation of the tax laws and is binding on all IRS employees and public taxpayers.

Revenue Procedures deal with the internal practice and procedures of the IRS in the administration of the tax laws. They are official statements of procedures relating to sections of the Internal Revenue Code, related statutes, tax treaties, and regulations.

The Internal Revenue Bulletin (IRB) is the authoritative instrument for announcing official rulings and procedures of the IRS and for publishing Treasury Decisions, Executive Orders, Tax Conventions, legislation, court decisions, and other items of general interest.

A revenue procedure is an official statement of a procedure published in the Bulletin that either affects the rights or duties of taxpayers or other members of the public under the Internal Revenue Code and related statutes, treaties, and regulations or, although not necessarily affecting the rights and duties of the ...

Letter rulings are less authoritative but more specific than revenue rulings and regulations. Letter rulings generally may not be used as precedent by taxpayers. However, they may be cited as authority to avoid the substantial understatement of tax penalty under IRC Sec.

A private letter ruling, or PLR, is a written statement issued to a taxpayer that interprets and applies tax laws to the taxpayer's represented set of facts. A PLR is issued in response to a written request submitted by a taxpayer. A PLR may not be relied on as precedent by other taxpayers or by IRS personnel.