What is the primary purpose of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)?

The primary purpose of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is to collect taxes for the United States Government. The IRS is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury and is responsible for administering and enforcing federal tax laws, which includes collecting income taxes, corporate taxes, and other forms of taxation. This function is vital for funding various government services and programs, as tax revenue is a primary source of income for the federal government.

The IRS also plays a role in providing assistance to taxpayers, facilitating the filing process, as well as conducting audits and investigations to ensure compliance with tax laws. Its significance stems from the essential role taxes play in maintaining the operations of the federal government and in implementing public policy.

Other options are unrelated to the core function of the IRS; for example, exploring outer space, regulating telecommunications, and managing educational federal programs fall under different agencies and areas of responsibility within the federal government.