TREASURY INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR TAX ADMINIATRATION (TIGTA):

We’re auditors.

But sometimes, we act like taxpayers.

In some of our reports, we called IRS customer service numbers and made tax payments. These techniques help us understand the experience you have interacting with the IRS ─ and opportunities to improve it.

Here’s a snapshot of what we've found.

We called 102 IRS customer service telephone numbers during this year’s tax filing season. We found that 21 of the lines placed us on hold for more than 30 minutes before we ended the call.

We made tax payments with cash at retail stores that partner with the IRS. We described the process as convenient (especially for taxpayers without bank accounts) and determined our payments were applied timely and accurately to our tax accounts.

We created 5 fictitious organizations and applied for tax-exempt status using a simplified application form (Form 1023-EZ) to test its effectiveness. The IRS approved 4 of our applications ─ and included them on a list of organizations that can receive tax deductible contributions.

Browse our website to read more audits, inspections, and evaluations that help ensure IRS programs and procedures are working for taxpayers as intended.

On Monday, December 4, 2023, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) released its Semiannual Report to Congress:

Read the Report.