IRS to Release Thousands of Temporary Staff Next Week, Amid Ongoing Tax Season Chaos
In a move aimed at alleviating the growing backlog of tax returns and providing additional support to taxpayers, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has announced that it will be releasing thousands of temporary staff next week. This surprise move comes at a crucial time, as the agency is still reeling from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the tax season.
Starting next week, the IRS will deploy over 4,000 temporary employees to its headquarters in Washington, D.C. and regional offices across the country. These new hires will join the existing workforce to help process an unprecedented number of tax returns, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and limited in-person services.
The additional staff will be tasked with reviewing, processing, and issuing refunds, as well as providing assistance to callers and visitors to IRS offices. The agency has seen a significant increase in the volume of tax returns filed, with many taxpayers seeking relief under various COVID-19-related provisions, such as the Economic Impact Payments and the Consolidated Appropriations Act.
"We’re working diligently to process these returns as quickly and accurately as possible, while ensuring the health and safety of our employees and taxpayers," said Olivia Edmonds, an IRS spokesperson. "The temporary hires will help us keep up with the surge in workload and provide critical support to those seeking assistance with their taxes."
The influx of new staff will also help the IRS to address the growing backlog of unprocessed returns, which has been a major challenge for the agency in recent months. The IRS has struggled to keep up with the increased demand due to staffing shortages, outdated technology, and limited resources.
The temporary employees will be hired under a variety of programs, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of the Treasury. Many of these individuals will be tasked with working in call centers, answering phone calls and responding to taxpayer inquiries, while others will be responsible for processing tax returns and refunds.
While the influx of temporary staff is a welcome development for taxpayers, it may also raise concerns about the long-term viability of the IRS’s workforce and its ability to manage its workload sustainably. The agency has faced severe budget cuts and staffing shortages in recent years, leading to criticism from lawmakers and advocacy groups.
However, for now, the news is a beacon of hope for taxpayers facing difficulties with their tax returns. As the IRS continues to navigate the challenges of the tax season, the agency’s efforts to bring in temporary staff will be closely watched by lawmakers, taxpayers, and the business community.
In the meantime, the IRS advises taxpayers to continue filing their returns electronically and takes advantage of online resources, such as the agency’s "Get My Payment" tool, to track the status of their refunds. With the added support of the temporary staff, the IRS is poised to make progress in processing the backlog and providing relief to those affected by the pandemic.
