The IRS and its Massive Backlog

        A report that was released this month confirmed what many had long suspected, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is very, very behind in processing Tax Returns. This is a situation that will not quickly resolve itself. The Treasury Inspector General said that the backlog was at about 12 million paper returns in December 2020. Even though this report focuses on paper Tax Returns, it’s reasonable to apply this to any paper correspondence as well. How did this happen?

The IRS was put into an unknown situation in 2020 just like every other organization. They moved to remote work as much as possible and closed many distribution centers. However, what is sent to them on paper requires a physical presence. While the mail continued to be delivered, few would enter the offices and do the manual data entry. This is why many are waiting for acknowledgment of payments, or Tax Refunds. The different rounds of Economic Impact Payments (EIP) have also caused them to change focus at times.

        At this point, most of the submission processing center employees have returned to the office. The IRS hopes to get through the work that has piled up over the past year by the end of summer. This is also an example of why E-filing is a much simpler option for Taxpayers. Fling electronically will help to avoid these kinds of problems. If you need help in making this transition, just schedule an appointment with us.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is Fair in the Tax System?

                 Everyone wants to be treated fairly. That is an essential quality that all people have. But what is fairness? Trying to answer that question can prove to be difficult for some. While fairness is impartial and just treatment without favoritism or discrimination, applying this principle is a challenge. Each person has their own idea of what is fair. That is certainly true when it comes to the current tax system.           The Internal Revenue Service ( IRS ) is aware of that sentiment. After a year of review following the passing of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act funding, they are determined to make a change. These changes will focus attention on the wealthy, partnerships, and other high-income earners who in recent years have had a sharp reduction in audits. The IRS is planning to use Artificial Intelligence to detect patterns in tax avoidance and new threats. They will also make sure that audit rates do not increase for modest earners. This is just one area that i
Read more

What is the Educator Expense Deduction for 2023?

            With the start of the new school year upon us, educators will want their students to have a complete classroom available to them. That might mean having some out-of-pocket expenses that are not reimbursed. If that’s the case, any principal, counselor, aide, or teacher who works at a K-12 school for at least 900 hours in a year can claim the Educator Expense Deduction . The current limit is $300, but that can be adjusted in the future based on inflation.           The qualifying costs can be related to books, supplies, and other materials used in the classroom. Equipment, including computer equipment and software can qualify. COVID-19 protective items used in the classroom would also apply. This can be claimed even if you use the standard deduction on your tax return. As a reminder, it is always best practice, especially when claiming a deduction, to keep good records which would include receipts. Your qualified tax professional can advise you further.
Read more

Beware of Employee Retention Credit Scams

          The Employee Retention Credit ( ERC ) is a tax credit for employers who kept paying employees while closed by government order or had a great decrease in income due to COVID-19. This is a credit that can only be claimed by certain businesses and organizations that had employees during specific time periods. With this set of criteria, the ERC is continuing to be the subject of a growing advertising campaign. Wild claims are being made about who can qualify for it.           The eligibility requirements should be considered closely. One sign of a scam is stating that the application process is easy, or that someone can find out if they are eligible for it in minutes. The ERC is noted for being a very complex credit. Scammers are trying to use this situation to steal personal information or run away with large upfront fees for work that will never take place. Dishonest promoters try to lure in victims by offering to work for a fee based on a percentage of the credit or sayin
Read more