The 2024 tax season “generally ran smoothly,” but there were delays in resolving identity theft cases and issuing the necessary refunds, according to a mid-year report to Congress from The National Taxpayer Advocate.
Erin M. Collins, who leads The National Taxpayer Advocate, criticized the delays as “lengthy and a blemish on its performance.” She also pointed out that she highlighted the same concerns regarding delays in her 2023 Annual Report to Congress.
“IRS delays in resolving identity theft victim assistance cases are unconscionable,” she wrote, noting most of the cases affected people at or below the federal poverty line.
She said that “the problem has grown worse” since she wrote last year the IRS was taking about 19 months to resolve these cases and send refunds.
As of April 2024, the IRS was taking 22 months to resolve the cases, the report found.
About 550,000 cases remain open.
The Hill’s Lauren Sforza has more here.
