The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) performed better than anticipated during the recent tax season, considering the significant reduction in staff, according to a report by a watchdog group. However, the agency struggled with phone support, leaving many taxpayers waiting for assistance. The IRS has been dealing with the challenges of reduced staffing levels, which were cut in an effort to streamline operations and reduce costs.
The watchdog report highlights the IRS’s ability to adapt to the reduced workforce, managing to process tax returns and respond to taxpayer inquiries through online channels and in-person support relatively efficiently. Nevertheless, the lack of adequate phone support remains a concern, as many taxpayers rely on this method for assistance with complex tax issues or for resolving disputes.
The report’s findings are based on data collected during the tax season, which ran from late January to mid-April. Despite the overall positive performance, the IRS acknowledges the need to improve its phone support services to better serve taxpayers. The agency is exploring options to enhance its phone support, including the potential hiring of additional staff or implementing more efficient call handling systems.
Original news story via Federal News Network.