IRS Commissioner: Budget Cuts Bad for Preparers; Tax Season Might be Delayed

“Lowest Level of Funding Since 2008”

Reinforcing sentiments from the written testimony submitted to the House Ways and Means Committee in April when speaking at the AICPA’s National Tax Conference, Commissioner Koskinen claimed the IRS budget cuts would cause issues for both taxpayers and tax preparers, since the Practitioner Priority Line would also experience extended wait times. Citing an “unacceptable level of service” from last tax season, Koskinen believes the budget-related reduction in staff will result in another difficult year. Long wait times notwithstanding, he also noted that a continued reduction in the number of audits will mean more lost revenue.

When referencing tax extenders, he stated that the longer Congress waits on passing legislation, the more likely it is that the upcoming tax season will be delayed.

Source: Accounting Today; Internal Revenue Service