Free Republic

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Budget cuts at the IRS could delay tax refunds, reduce taxpayer services and hurt enforcement efforts, IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said Thursday. About half the people who call the IRS for assistance this filing season won't be able to get through to a person, Koskinen said. Once tax returns are filed, there will be fewer agents to audit them. "Everybody's return will get processed," Koskinen told reporters. "But people have gotten very used to being able to file their return and quickly getting a refund. This year we may not have the resources, the people to provide...

On Thursday afternoon, when members of Congress will meet to certify the results of the 2004 presidential election, Sen. John F. Kerry will not be among those taking part in a formal protest of Ohio electors. "Despite widespread reports of irregularities, questionable practices by some election officials and instances of lawful voters being denied the right to vote, our legal teams on the ground have found no evidence that would change the outcome of the election," Kerry said in a Jan. 5 email message to supporters. Story Continues Below But there were electoral problems, Kerry says. He specifically mentioned people...