Got a question for the IRS? Good luck
reaching someone by phone. The tax agency says only half of the 100 million
people expected to call this year will be able to reach a person.
Callers who do get through may have to wait
on hold for 30 minutes or more to talk to someone who will answer only the
simplest questions."Taxpayers who need help are not getting it, and tax compliance is likely to suffer over the longer term if these problems are not quickly and decisively addressed," said a report Wednesday by agency watchdog Nina E. Olson.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen says budget cuts are forcing the agency to reduce taxpayer services and other functions. The number of audits will decline, technology upgrades will be delayed and the agency might be forced to shut down and furlough workers for two days later this year, Koskinen said.
The IRS will no longer help low-income taxpayers fill out their returns, and tax refunds could be delayed for people who file paper returns.
"It couldn't be worse timing," Koskinen said of the budget cuts. http://news.yahoo.com/irs-cuts-taxpayer-services-filing-returns-gets-harder-150035056--finance.html
Oh, boo hoo.
If the IRS wanted to do, they could find ways to provide improved customer service, if they really wanted to.
When a government agency perceives that they get less money, the first thing they do is do away with customer service- what little customer service government agencies do give.
They don't do away with bonuses, they don't lay off staff, they don't privative services like custodians to save money, they don't become more efficient, they don't give up their travel, staying at nice hotels and other taxpayer rip offs.
But they do down size of customer service and service to the poor.
But if the IRS does do the customer service slow down dance, then may we should go to the flat tax and get rid of 95% of the IRS.
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