Identity theft victims face 'unconscionable' IRS delays, report says
Victims currently face wait times of almost two years to resolve their cases, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate.
TL;DR
- Over 500,000 victims of tax-related identity theft are awaiting IRS resolution.
- The average resolution time for these cases is now approximately 20 months, nearly two years.
- These delays cause significant financial hardship, impacting basic living expenses for many taxpayers.
- The IRS has experienced a 27% reduction in workforce, employing 74,000 people compared to 102,000 a year prior.
- The number of Americans reporting tax-related identity theft has increased in recent years.
- The FBI reported a 26% year-over-year increase in consumer complaints related to stolen taxpayer identities.