IRS YouTube site draws few viewers

The Internal Revenue Service is trying to get with the times, going beyond its static website and incomprehensible tax forms by posting tax advice on YouTube. It also has podcasts on iTunes.

The IRS has created its own YouTube channel, and now has a handful of videos with useful information about the administration's economic recovery effort as well as a series of "tax tips." The videos are in English, Spanish and American Sign Language, among other languages. Topics covered in the videos include the $8,000 first-time homebuyer's credit for those who purchase a house this year, the sales tax deduction on new car purchases, and the expanded credits for education and energy conservation.

The videos last for about one minute or less, and are narrated by IRS employees. The promotion for the tax tip section reads, "Find out how you can get all the tax breaks you deserve and are entitled to!"

While laudable, the IRS site is not burning up the digital world. As of this past weekend, the IRS videos had 254 subscribers and a meager 25,509 channel views. So now the question must be asked: Is the IRS spending too much time and money on this new venture, or do they need to do a better job of promoting it?

For more on the IRS and social networking:
- see this OhMyGov! article

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