The IRS published a statement from Commissioner Danny Werfel that announced the end of unexpected visits to enhance security and transform the agency to something better. Taxpayers will now instead receive appointment letters from their revenue officers.
Werfel adds that these types of visits have instilled anxiety among taxpayers, especially those worried of potential scams. He comments this is the right time for a long-running tradition in their company to end, in order to push new efforts to transform and improve their work.
In addition, it also serves to protect IRS employees from potential risks – especially when a scam artist falsely claims themselves to be a revenue officer, which confuses both taxpayers and law enforcement. Funding under the Inflation Reduction Act will increase staff.
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NTEU’s Praises And Concerns
These appointment letters would be a face-to-face meeting at a given situation and time, with the necessary documents and information to avoid multiple deadlocked meetings. Werfel mentions this change is beneficial both to their workers and taxpayers, with scam artists being losers in the situation.
However, Werfel notes these unannounced visits could still rarely happen on instances of summonses, authorize calls to appear before court, subpoenas, a person or entity is ordered to testify – and seizure of assets beyond government reach. Though, it won’t be similar to before.
The National Treasury Employees Union, a labor union, praised the agency’s decision to go with a different yet effective way to communicate with taxpayers. Separately, President Tony Reardon, expressed disappointment on false viewpoints on IRS employees.
Reardon adds that false claims made by elected officials and social media harmed the IRS reputation and public service in general. He adds they’ll continue to fight for better protection of their agents.
Reardon calls out those that spread lies without knowing the consequences of their words, stating that their civil servants also have to live in fear because of the lies told about them.
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Source: CBS News
