The IRS is being squeezed.  Part of this is a result of the insane concept that Republicans perpetrate about the deficit.  (OK.  I have a post coming up soon about this.  Suffice it to say, all that hoopla how the deficit was the biggest bugaboo we needed to address a few years ago- well, the looming deficit problem is basically gone.  Not because we cut the budget- that was only going to work over 10 years.  But, because, as most sentient beings recognized at the time, the large deficit was simply a factor of the moribund economy.  The economy picks up- the deficit problem is erased.  Voila- we’re magicians.)

But, the real issue is that the same party is desperate to starve  Obamacare from coming into play.   (Surprise- it’s here… and it’s working.)  And, Obamacare is really “policed” by the IRS.  Cut the IRS budget, and oversight disappears- that’s their thinking.

Unfortunately, what really happens is that customer service and tax collections disappear.  So, when you call the IRS for “free” support, you have the opportunity to wait (and wait and wait.  ‘You are the …25^th caller.  Your wait time is expected to be… 73 minutes’.  Those are the most common IRS responses.)

Routinely people attempt to contact the IRS by phone, by online chat, by eMail. All to no avail.  And, that assumes the response you get is not “covered” by the fact that the IRS is not responsible, if their advice turns out to be the reason why you are being audited.

You see, the budget cuts to the IRS have set up the taxpayer.  As IRS Commissioner John Koskinen testified in April, 1/3 of all taxpayers will never reach an IRS employee.  And, 3 hour waits are becoming the norm.

But, you can get answers.  You can turn to someone like me, who is an Enrolled Agent. An Enrolled Agent is one who has passed the IRS proficiency exam.  (Two days long.)  It is the highest credential the IRS awards.  And, the exam is not a one-time event.  We must adhere to a code of ethics and undertake (and maintain proficiency) via some 72 hours of continuing education every three years (when we must document same to maintain our status.)   It should be clear that we know our stuff- and work with you to save you from overpaying your obligation (or underpaying your taxes, too.)

So, Congress has decided it can save about two or three hundred million bucks by cutting their funding.  This means the IRS is not collecting billions.   Oh, and you really do need to hire folks like me to guide you through the system.

Now, that’s a fair trade-off, right?