Yesterday (January 10, 2024), the National Taxpayer Advocate (Erin Collins) issued her annual report to Congress on the IRS' performance in key metrics like tax support. Unfortunately, there was not much good news.

During 2023 IRS employees answered only 35% of all calls received. For the full fiscal year, IRS employees answered 29% of all calls received. In particular, the report states that service for tax professionals was below average, with only 34% of calls answered in FY 2023. Those that actually had their call picked up only did so after onerous wait times:

“Roughly 500,000 tax professionals prepare tax returns for more than 85 million taxpayers, so the IRS derives considerable benefit from working collaboratively with the pool of tax professionals,” the report states. “Requiring tax professionals to call back repeatedly and wait on hold not only inconveniences them but often results in additional costs to taxpayers for the time their tax professionals bill for waiting on hold.”

The report recommends the IRS prioritize improving service on the practitioner telephone line. It also recommends the IRS develop better performance measures so it not only measures access to a CSR but also measures call quality (e.g., the percentage of taxpayer issues resolved with a single telephone call).

In the face of such tepid support we stand ready to help Accounts Payable, Tax, independent CPA's, and other tax professionals get timely answers to your Form 1099, 1042-S, and State level reporting questions. Please don't hesitate to check out our subscription options this filing season.