Posted on 04/15/2024 8:23:15 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
Atlanta News First reports that Atlanta taxpayers endured extensive queues outside the city’s Tax Assistance Center, but not everyone was looking for last-minute help from the IRS ahead of the April 15 tax filing deadline.
The center was open Saturday with extended hours, allowed individuals to engage directly with IRS representatives regarding their refunds, but the demand to do so led to hours-long waits under the sun.
A majority of the people in line had received an email or letter from the IRS stating they had to verify their identity in person. The notification went on to say their refund was being held until they did so. So starting as early as 6 a.m., individuals settled into lawn chairs, bracing themselves for the long wait before the center opened at 9 a.m.
“All I need to do is verify my identity, and that’s it,” one exasperated attendee said. “It’s a tiny process.” The sentiment echoed among the crowd, with numerous individuals sharing similar sentiments of inconvenience.
For Tynecia Thomas, navigating the IRS bureaucracy proved to be a daunting task. She lamented the challenges of seeking assistance through phone lines, describing it as a “hassle” and emphasizing her desire to access the funds she’s rightfully owed.
“I want my money; I work for this money, it’s my money, and I want it now,” Thomas said.
Despite the overwhelming turnout by taxpayers and the clear need for additional support, inquiries from Atlanta News First to the IRS regarding the lengthy queues remained unanswered by the event’s conclusion. The agency’s silence left taxpayers grappling with uncertainty about the causes behind the delays and the potential resolution of their issues.
Looking ahead, the IRS has scheduled one more Saturday opening on May 18, aiming to provide further assistance to those grappling with tax-related challenges.
I know what you mean. For 2023 I had to send the IRS a payment for $7800 (including $158 penalty) and $3770 to the state of NJ. That is on top of the $38K already paid to the Feds and $9800 paid to NJ via payroll deduction as well as a $9K annual property tax bill.
I expected to have to pay so it wasn't too bad of a shock, although it was about $2,000 more than anticipated. Fortunately, with short term interest rates over 5%, keeping the money until the end allows me to collect more interest than I paid for the penalty, although it was a relatively small ~$200 difference.
Meanwhile, the "newcomers" (as they are now being called) are getting ATM cards preloaded with $5k, free hotel, free meals, free legal help, and free medical care (free = taxpayer funded). Getting close to being time to "Go Galt".
Different sites are showing lines that were formed Saturday at the Atlanta IRS office in support of this story. However, the IRS had “face-to-face” events at several of their offices nationwide to allow taxpayers to meet with an agent personally in order to try to solve tax problems.
I’m not sure why so many Atlanta filers had tax problems that required a personal meeting. It’s possible that there is so much tax fraud in the city that some people got caught up in one of the stolen ID scams that happen at this time of the year. Anyway, not ALL of the people there received a letter informing them they must prove who they are. Some were there for other tax problems.
They may be applying pressure to get the remaining 87,000 new IRS agents approved and hired.
That or there are so many illegals stealing SSNs that they really do need to be sure.
EC
this comment poses an interesting question...how can someone who needs an ID to ride the bus to the polls NOT need an ID to vote?
So… You have to show ID and verify your identity to get your own money back from the IRS but not to vote?
But you can cast a vote anywhere, so there’s that! 😜
I guess I’m glad I write a check. I’d not want to go through waiting hours for a refund.
When I read this line, I laughed out loud and literally scrolled up to see if this was the Bee. LOL
Well, since the Government allowed other to “use my SSN”, then I thought at least one of them would file the tax return! I suggest you go after them for failure to file and not me since you cannot tell who I am for refund purposes….
I’ve been getting an IRS PIN number in the mail for years to ID my tax filing. Doesn’t everyone?
I filed on time but didn’t have the AGI from last year and had forgotten whatever 5 digit PIN I made (I was in a hurry last year and rushed because I was using a friend’s computer)
I didn’t know he had gotten a new computer - so I had an e-file rejected - I’m just going to print it off with the reject code and mail it in within the 5-day grace period.
I’m not getting a refund and I don’t owe anything, so it’s all good.
BTW, a friend sent me video of this line several days ago - WOW
for several years now, i’ve withheld nothing and paid the minuscule fine ... investment of the money not withheld at 5% paid for the fine ... new strategy this year: make annual IRA withdrawal a couple of days before the end of the year and withhold most of what i’ll owe at that time, that way i can have my cake and eat it too ...
“Maybe that person should adjust their witholding payments, so that they don’t pay the IRS so much.”
if they did that, they wouldn’t get any “free” money back when they file their taxes ...
absolutely
I prefer to owe in April
Whadayaknow. They can get ID after all!
IRS is woefully behind schedule in hiring new agents. Their goal was for 4000 this fiscal year. So far, they've hired less than 500.
Their biggest problem is the pay rate, it's at a GS-7 level, or about $45K per year. Private sector accountants are starting at $60K and higher.
The background checks and drug testing add to the time and hassle of working for the IRS.
I purposely underpay on my tax return. Identity thieves stay away from me, attempts to get a fraudulent return are immediately rejected.
Wonder if they are going to have to show a photo ID?
Ever since the government got computers and data base queries they’ve known. They don’t want to ‘catch’ the fakes but would rather have them contribute to FICA and OASDI. Keep track and try to prevent the real user’s return from going to the illegals while still getting the pittance the fakes pay in.
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