WASHINGTON (Washington Insider Magazine) – This filing season, an IRS personnel shortfall, an increased workload from managing pandemic-related programs, and delayed bills that would have granted the agency billions of cash to process returns more quickly will all cause taxpayers anguish.
Reviewing delays are to be anticipated, especially since the IRS claims it is still processing 2020 tax returns.
According to the most recent IRS data, the IRS processed over 240 million tax applications and issued nearly $736 billion in reimbursements for the 2020 financial year, comprising $268 billion in incentive payments. 59.5 million individuals called or actually visited the IRS office within the same time period.
Due to the epidemic, filing deadlines have been extended twice in the last two years. It’s uncertain whether the EPA will give taxpayers comparable leeway this year. According to NBC News, there will be enough new difficulties to deal with this year.
Individuals who are entitled to the child tax credit and have received advance payments year-round, for example, may receive a smaller refund than they would typically receive.
People who did not receive stimulus checks as a result of the pandemic assistance package may still be eligible for a “recovery rebate credit” on their taxes.
The IRS issued a list of “Top 5 Things to Remember” on Thursday, with tips for taxpayers about what documents to gather and what to do if their 2020 filings have not yet been processed.
Unless there are any complications with filing their return, the IRS expects most taxpayers to get their rebate anywhere within 21 days of filing electronically.
However, a number of stumbling blocks exist, in particular, due to IRS staffing issues.
The IRS, according to Tony Reardon, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, has a difficult time hiring because they’re up against Burger King or McDonald’s, which pay similarly and don’t require employees to handle complicated laws and regulations.
The agency’s recruitment website featured at least 180 unfilled positions as of Thursday, comprising clerks and tax auditors earning as little as $11 per hour. Exclusively 42 of the roles were open to the general public; the majority were only open to internal applicants.
