The IRS Mission:

Provide America's taxpayers top quality service by helping them understand and meet their tax responsibilities and by applying the tax law with integrity and fairness to all.

The Agency:

The IRS, a branch of the Department of Treasury, deals directly with more Americans than any other institution, public or private. It also is one of the world's most efficient tax administrators. In 2003, the IRS collected nearly $2 trillion in revenue and processed more than 222 million tax returns. It cost taxpayers 48 cents for each $100 collected by the IRS.

In 2003, the agency provided assistance more than 97 million times through  toll-free telephone lines, correspondence or visits to its more than 400 offices nationwide. Customer Service Representatives can be reached toll-free at 800-829-1040, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Many forms and publications are available on this site.

Related Item:  The IRS Data Book contains more than 30 statistical tables each fiscal year.