The IRS logo, used by the U.S. federal tax agency, consists of an emblem and the initials IRS in large uppercase serif letters. The emblem has a formal heraldic design and combines the silhouette of an eagle, the scales of justice and an olive branch. The eagle symbolizes the state, the scales represent justice and honesty, and the olive branch stands for peace and reconciliation. All elements are rendered in a flat graphic style with clearly defined outlines. The logo is available in horizontal and vertical layouts and in blue, black and white, including a white version on a dark blue background. The eagle illustration was created in 1965 and has remained the central, unchanged element of the IRS logo ever since.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is the federal tax agency within the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Its history dates back to 1862, when President Abraham Lincoln established an internal revenue agency to help finance the Civil War. The agency adopted its current name in 1953 following a major reorganization. The IRS administers federal taxes, processes tax returns, collects payments and refunds overpaid taxes. It also provides guidance to taxpayers, monitors compliance with tax laws, conducts audits and investigates tax crimes.
