IRS Cuts 3 Hours Each Day From Consumer Tax Help Phone Lines

The Internal Revenue Service has announced plans to reduce the agency's budget by cutting phone service for consumers seeking tax help. The agency said it would eliminate three customer service hours each day from its service and save approximately $10 million annually.

President Colleen M. Kelley of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) called the move "an absolute outrage" and said that her organization was notified the change would be made January 23, 2006, a period she called the height of taxpayer help season.

The IRS had previously sought to save money by reducing the number of customer service centers it operates, but abandoned that plan earlier this year after consumer advocates and other interested parties protested.

posted by Consumer Help Web Editorial Team at 7:43 PM |