IRS says U.S. tax filers should expect delays

Tell cross-border clients to brace themselves when U.S. tax filing opens next Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Budget cuts mean the Internal Revenue Service doesn’t have enough money to run properly, Commissioner John Koskinen admits.

In an email to workers obtained by Forbes, Koskinen says, “realistically we have no choice but to do less with less.”

He’s previously said taxpayers can expect delayed refunds and longer waits to talk to IRS representatives on the phone.

Read: IRS head foresees frustrating tax season

Taxpayers filing paper returns will have to wait at least a week longer to get refunds, reports Forbes.

The magazine also reports that the budget shortfall will affect other IRS initiatives. Implementing more anti-identity theft measures has been delayed. The number of investigations IRS taxes on could decrease, and technical upgrades to the Taxpayer Advocate Service are on hold.

Read more here.

Also read:

Tax games: Are some companies playing with fire?

How to file taxes for snowbirds

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.