Earlier this month (January 8, 2025), 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.

For the full 2024 fiscal year, the level of service (IRS jargon for whether they answered your call and/or provided any kind of support) was 56%, and only 31% of taxpayers reached an assistor (keep in mind that though trained it's not like the IRS has a team of tax attorney's standing ready to answer your 1099/1042-S reporting questions). Technically, that's an improvement over 2023. For that previous full fiscal year, IRS employees answered 34% of all calls received from for tax professionals was below average.

Obviously, 56% in 2024 is better than 34% in 2023. For that improvement, the IRS should be commended. But the simple fact of the matter is that if you have a fact-and-circumstance based 1099 reporting question, then you have not much better than a coin flip's chance of getting through to someone. Worse yet, you have only a 31% chance of reaching someone able to at least point you in the right direction.

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.