Statistics of Income
The Statistics of Income (SOI) program is a division within the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that collects, analyzes, and publishes statistics derived from federal tax returns. Its purpose is to provide an impartial and reliable source of information on the operation of the U.S. tax system and the economy for a wide range of users, including policymakers, researchers, and the general public.
The data collected by the SOI program are not from traditional surveys but from the administrative records generated by the processing of tax and information returns. This makes it a unique and valuable source of information.
The SOI program's main publications and data products include:
| • | Individual Income Tax Statistics: These are a core component of the program, providing detailed data on sources of income, adjustments, deductions, exemptions, and taxes by adjusted gross income class. This includes statistics broken down by state, county, and congressional district. |
| • | Business Tax Statistics: This area focuses on data from tax returns filed by corporations (Form 1120), partnerships (Form 1065), and sole proprietorships (Form 1040, Schedule C). These statistics provide insights into business activity, income, deductions, and assets. |
| • | Charitable and Exempt Organizations Statistics: This program collects data on the finances and activities of tax-exempt organizations, such as charities and private foundations, from their Form 990 series filings. |
| • | Estate, Gift, and Trust Statistics: This includes data from estate and gift tax returns, which is used to provide insights into wealth distribution and transfers. |
| • | SOI Bulletin: A quarterly publication that features articles and tables on a variety of tax-related topics. |
| • | IRS Data Book: An annual publication that provides an overview of IRS operations, including data on tax collections, refunds issued, enforcement actions, and taxpayer assistance. |
| • | Working Papers: The SOI program also publishes working papers that present new research on the U.S. federal tax system. |
| • | Historical Data: The SOI program maintains a vast archive of historical publications and data, some dating back to the late 19th century, which are available to the public |
