IRS urges Americans to file tax returns ASAP. Here's why

[mystery-ak]

IRS urges Americans to file tax returns ASAP. Here's why
The IRS is grappling with a massive backlog of unprocessed returns


By Megan Henney FOXBusiness

The IRS has one request for Americans looking to get their tax refund as quickly as possible: File your return electronically and as soon as possible.

The tax-collecting agency is staring down a tax season that promises to bring complications and potential delays for taxpayers, given an IRS worker shortage, the Herculean task of administering millions of stimulus checks and adapting to other pandemic-related tax changes, and a massive backlog of unprocessed paper returns.

The agency is also grossly understaffed; it has 20,000 fewer staff than it did in 2010, and its budget is roughly $11.4 billion – 20% less than it was in 2010, when adjusted for inflation, according to the Congressional Budget Office. On top of that, more than 20% of the IRS customer service workforce has been unable to work for pandemic-related health reasons over the last two years.

"The IRS right now has unacceptable backlogs and the customer service that people are receiving is not what the American public deserves," White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday. "The agency has not been equipped with the resources to adequately serve taxpayers in normal times, let alone during a pandemic."

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https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/irs-urges-americans-to-file-tax-returns-asap-heres-why

[DefiantMassRINO]

I'm still waiting for my tax year 2020 refund.  Ironically, we'll need that info for filing our 2021 taxes.

[Restored]

They sure did cash my check quickly last year

[mystery-ak]

IRS warns of 'frustrating' refund delays as tax-filing season kicks off
By Sylvan Lane - 01/24/22 02:05 PM EST

IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig warned Americans they could face delays receiving their 2021 tax refunds as the filing season kicked off Monday amid serious challenges for the agency.

In a Monday call with reporters, Retting urged Americans to begin preparing their taxes well ahead of the deadline, set up a direct deposit system with the IRS and file their returns electronically to avoid delays.

“This could be a very frustrating filing season for all taxpayers and tax professionals,” Rettig said.

Coronavirus-related staffing issues, the implementation of several new stimulus programs and long-standing lack of congressional funding could lead to delays processing tax returns and handling taxpayer questions, he said.

“I want you to know that our employees are committed to do everything possible with an all hands on deck approach to get people the help that they need,” Rettig said.

more
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/591069-irs-warns-of-frustrating-refund-delays-as-tax-filing-season-kicks-off

[Bigun]

They sure did cash my check quickly last year

They have no problem cashing checks. The problems arise when they are required to return money that already belongs to you and without any interest I might add!

The Income tax is a Marxist slave tax!

[Kamaji]

They also have no problem sending out automated billing notices, demands for payment, and threats to levy, even if those are based on an incorrect account balance because the actual return for that year hasn't been processed yet.

[GtHawk]

The agency is also grossly understaffed; it has 20,000 fewer staff than it did in 2010, and its budget is roughly $11.4 billion – 20% less than it was in 2010, when adjusted for inflation,

They were overstaffed in 2010 and they are overstaffed now, maybe if they didn't have so many fraudulent returns from illegals to process their workload would drop. OH NOES! They has less money due to inflation? Welcome to the world every day Americans have been shoved into by incompetent politicians, cut their budget back by oh say 100%.

[Kamaji]

The agency is also grossly understaffed; it has 20,000 fewer staff than it did in 2010, and its budget is roughly $11.4 billion – 20% less than it was in 2010, when adjusted for inflation,

They were overstaffed in 2010 and they are overstaffed now, maybe if they didn't have so many fraudulent returns from illegals to process their workload would drop. OH NOES! They has less money due to inflation? Welcome to the world every day Americans have been shoved into by incompetent politicians, cut their budget back by oh say 100%.

It has little to do with returns from illegals, and more to do with the overly complex, confusing structure of the tax code and how difficult it can be to file a tax return if you have a financial situation that is more complicated than getting W-2 wages and having an IRA.