The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government, responsible for administering and enforcing the Internal Revenue Code. Established on July 1, 1862, the agency was created to fund Civil War expenses and has since evolved into a permanent institution under the Department of the Treasury. The IRS oversees tax collection, compliance, and enforcement for individuals and businesses, including income, corporate, excise, and estate taxes. It also manages tax credits and benefits programs authorized by law. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the IRS operates a nationwide network of processing centers and taxpayer assistance offices. The agency is led by a Commissioner appointed to a five-year term and is supported by a single Deputy Commissioner and four chiefs overseeing taxpayer services, compliance, operations, and information technology. The IRS is a government entity and does not trade publicly; it is part of the U.S. Department of the Treasury.