IRS Publication 5382 – If you’re searching for IRS Publication 5382, “Putting Taxpayers First: IRS Progress Update,” or details on the IRS’s commitment to better taxpayer service, enforcement fairness, and modernization, this is the definitive resource. Released in January 2023 (Rev. 1-2023), Publication 5382 provides a transparent, data-rich overview of the IRS’s accomplishments during Fiscal Year 2022. It highlights how the agency navigated pandemic challenges while advancing the Taxpayer First Act and laying the foundation for long-term transformation funded by the Inflation Reduction Act.
As of February 2026, this remains the most recent edition in the “Putting Taxpayers First” series. Later IRS progress is tracked through the Inflation Reduction Act Strategic Operating Plan (SOP) annual updates and the Agency Financial Report. Download the full IRS Publication 5382 PDF directly from IRS.gov: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p5382.pdf.
What Is IRS Publication 5382 and Why Does It Matter?
Publication 5382 is the IRS’s official annual progress report for FY 2022 (October 1, 2021 – September 30, 2022). It showcases how the agency delivered on its core mission: collecting approximately $4.9 trillion in annual gross revenue (96% of federal funding) while prioritizing taxpayers.
The 32-page document includes:
- Acting Commissioner Doug O’Donnell’s message
- Strategic goals for FY 2022–2026
- Detailed achievements across four pillars
- Statistics, charts, and forward-looking plans
It serves as a key reference for tax professionals, businesses, individuals, and policymakers seeking official IRS performance metrics.
Acting Commissioner’s Message: A Commitment to Taxpayers
In the opening message, Acting Commissioner Doug O’Donnell emphasizes that taxpayer service remained the top priority despite ongoing pandemic effects. Key highlights include:
- Completion of the third round of Economic Impact Payments (totaling over $830 billion across three rounds).
- Disbursement of $93 billion in advance Child Tax Credit payments.
- Emphasis on electronic filing with direct deposit to speed refunds.
- Expanded multilingual support and accessibility for underserved communities.
Quote: “We continued our efforts to enhance service for all taxpayers, including people in diverse and under-served communities.”
IRS FY 2022–2026 Strategic Plan: The Four Goals
Publication 5382 aligns all activities with the new IRS Strategic Plan unveiled in 2022:
- Goal 1: Service – Provide quality, accessible services to enhance the taxpayer experience.
- Goal 2: Enforcement – Enforce the tax law fairly and efficiently to increase voluntary compliance and narrow the tax gap.
- Goal 3: People – Foster an inclusive, diverse, and well-equipped workforce while strengthening external partnerships.
- Goal 4: Transformation – Transform IRS operations to become more resilient, agile, and responsive.
Goal 1: Service – Major Wins in Taxpayer Experience
The IRS processed a massive 2022 filing season successfully:
- Nearly 139 million individual returns by April 18 (96% e-filed — a 22% increase).
- 33.5 million business returns (76% e-filed).
- Issued 88.7 million refunds totaling $267 billion (average $3,012, up 4.9%; 94.6% via direct deposit).
Key service improvements:
- “Customer Callback” offered to 5.3 million taxpayers (57% acceptance rate, saving 1.7 million hours).
- Voice and chat bots used 9 million times (4 million successful self-resolutions).
- Redesigned IRS.gov homepage and upgraded “Where’s My Refund?” tool.
- Expanded multilingual access: Form 1040 and schedules in Spanish Braille, text, audio, and large print; 34 Spanish notice inserts converted.
- Over 900,000 visitors assisted at 350 Taxpayer Assistance Centers (TACs), plus 17,000+ served on special Saturday hours.
- Social media followers exceeded 1.5 million (10% growth).
- Enhanced VITA/TCE volunteer programs with virtual training and streamlined recruitment.
The agency also completed processing of all error-free 2021 individual returns by June 2022 and reduced paper inventory through surge staffing and self-service tools.
Goal 2: Enforcement – Fair and Targeted Compliance
The IRS strengthened enforcement while focusing on high-risk areas:
- Criminal Investigation (CI) initiated 2,550+ investigations, identified $31 billion in tax/financial crimes, and achieved a 90.6% conviction rate.
- Whistleblower Office: Over $1.05 billion paid in awards since 2007, leading to $6.39 billion in collections.
- Successful actions against abusive tax shelters (syndicated conservation easements, micro-captive insurance).
- Prevented $1.2 billion in fraudulent COVID-related credits.
- Advanced international compliance with new Schedules K-2/K-3 and global partnerships.
- Cyber crimes: Largest-ever federal cryptocurrency seizure of $3.6 billion.
These efforts support voluntary compliance and help close the tax gap.
Goal 3: People – Investing in the Workforce
The IRS focused on hiring, training, and retention:
- Comprehensive Training Strategy and IRS University framework.
- Renewed emphasis on competency models, career paths, and virtual-to-in-person training transitions.
- Strengthened partnerships with external stakeholders for outreach.
Goal 4: Transformation – Building a Modern IRS
Major technology and process upgrades included:
- Launch of the Taxpayer Experience Office and strategy.
- Progress on Enterprise Case Management (ECM) and Customer Account Data Engine 2 (CADE 2) — 75% of legacy code converted.
- Robotics Process Automation, cloud migrations, and Virtual Desktop Infrastructure rollout.
- Expanded digital services: Online Account enhancements, Tax Pro Account, digital document upload, and paperless initiatives.
- Enterprise Data Platform for better analytics and decision-making.
Looking to the Future – FY 2023 and the Inflation Reduction Act
Publication 5382 positions FY 2022 as the launchpad for transformation. The Inflation Reduction Act provided ~$80 billion over 10 years for:
- Hiring thousands more employees (including 5,000+ phone assistors).
- Faster refunds and higher phone service levels.
- Accelerated IT modernization.
- Fairer enforcement focused on high-income and complex returns.
The report concludes: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the IRS to transform itself.”
How to Download and Use IRS Publication 5382?
- Visit IRS.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications.
- Search “5382” or go directly to the PDF link above.
- Use the document for research, client education, or understanding IRS priorities.
Stay Current in 2026:
- Check the latest IRA Strategic Operating Plan Annual Updates on IRS.gov.
- Review the annual Agency Financial Report and National Taxpayer Advocate Report to Congress for post-2022 metrics.
- Bookmark IRS.gov/newsroom for filing season and service updates.
Final Thoughts
IRS Publication 5382 demonstrates the agency’s clear focus on “Putting Taxpayers First” through measurable improvements in service, enforcement, workforce development, and technology. While challenges like paper processing backlogs and high call volumes persisted in FY 2022, the foundation laid that year — combined with Inflation Reduction Act resources — has driven continued progress.
Whether you’re a taxpayer, tax professional, or researcher, this publication offers authoritative insights into IRS operations. Download it today and pair it with the latest SOP updates for the full picture of how the IRS is evolving to serve you better.
Keywords for this guide: IRS Publication 5382, Putting Taxpayers First IRS, IRS FY 2022 progress update, IRS taxpayer service improvements, IRS enforcement statistics 2022, IRS strategic plan 2022-2026.
For the most up-to-date information, always refer to official IRS.gov sources. Last reviewed/updated based on IRS data as of February 2026.