{"id":29643,"date":"2020-10-06T00:00:12","date_gmt":"2020-10-06T04:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/individual-taxpayer-services-2\/"},"modified":"2022-11-15T10:20:11","modified_gmt":"2022-11-15T15:20:11","slug":"individual-taxpayer-services","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-solutions\/customer-experience\/y2020\/individual-taxpayer-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Individual Taxpayer Services"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"border-width:3px;border-color:#c23122;border-style:solid\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-color=\"#c23122\" data-border-thickness=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center pt-3 wp-block-heading\" id=\"this-customer-experience-profile-is-from-2020-to-view-this-year-s-profile-click-here\">This customer experience profile is from 2020. To view this year\u2019s profile, click <a href=\"\/our-solutions\/customer-experience\/y2021\/individual-taxpayer-services\/\">here<\/a>.<\/h5>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-multi-column multi-column-wrapper columns-4\" data-column-count=\"4\" data-column-layout=\"even\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<a class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-button pps-button rectangular_without_border with-none btn-block\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#overview\" data-label=\"User Interactions\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-color=\"#009898\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-graphic-position=\"before\" data-button-style=\"rectangular_without_border\" data-graphic-type=\"none\" data-type-of-url=\"page\" data-icon=\"\" style=\"color:#ffffff;border:1px solid #ffffff;background-color:#009898\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>User Interactions<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<a class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-button pps-button rectangular_without_border with-none btn-block\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#feedback\" data-label=\"Customer Feedback\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-color=\"#008035\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-graphic-position=\"before\" data-button-style=\"rectangular_without_border\" data-graphic-type=\"none\" data-type-of-url=\"page\" data-icon=\"\" style=\"color:#ffffff;border:1px solid #ffffff;background-color:#008035\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Customer Feedback<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<a class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-button pps-button rectangular_without_border with-none btn-block\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#social-web\" data-label=\"Social Media Presence\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-color=\"#00588e\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-graphic-position=\"before\" data-button-style=\"rectangular_without_border\" data-graphic-type=\"none\" data-type-of-url=\"page\" data-icon=\"\" style=\"color:#ffffff;border:1px solid #ffffff;background-color:#00588e\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Social Media Presence<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<a class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-button pps-button rectangular_without_border with-none btn-block \\\" target=\"_self\" href=\"#indicators\" data-label=\"Customer Experience Indicators\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-color=\"#99002b\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-graphic-position=\"before\" data-button-style=\"rectangular_without_border\" data-graphic-type=\"none\" data-type-of-url=\"page\" data-icon=\"\" style=\"color:#ffffff;border:1px solid #ffffff;background-color:#99002b\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span>Customer Experience Indicators<\/span><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:5px;background-color:#F6F6F6;color:#F6F6F6\" data-color=\"#F6F6F6\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"5\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-multi-column multi-column-wrapper columns-rightThird\" data-column-count=\"2\" data-column-layout=\"rightThird\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"executive-summary\"><strong>Executive Summary<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">The IRS was hit with a double dose of challenges in&nbsp;2019\u2014the major interruption caused by the 35-day government shutdown that kept&nbsp;tens of&nbsp;thousands of IRS employees from doing their jobs, and the need to implement a sweeping new tax law. Yet&nbsp;by some measures,&nbsp;the IRS still delivered services to taxpayers&nbsp;faster&nbsp;than it&nbsp;did&nbsp;five years&nbsp;ago,&nbsp;when the agency was dealing with&nbsp;a crisis&nbsp;caused by&nbsp;substantial&nbsp;budget cuts.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In&nbsp;fact, in&nbsp;2019,&nbsp;customers reported&nbsp;high satisfaction&nbsp;levels&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;support&nbsp;they received&nbsp;from&nbsp;representatives on the agency\u2019s primary customer&nbsp;service&nbsp;line\u2014even though it can be difficult to reach a representative during the busy tax season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The IRS&nbsp;also&nbsp;produced&nbsp;or updated&nbsp;several easy-to-use digital tools&nbsp;in&nbsp;the last year&nbsp;to help taxpayers&nbsp;make payments,&nbsp;decide how much money to withhold from their paychecks&nbsp;and complete other tasks. However, some tools require&nbsp;individuals to&nbsp;verify&nbsp;their identity\u2014and many taxpayers&nbsp;struggle to&nbsp;fulfill&nbsp;the agency\u2019s strict&nbsp;authentication requirements, in place&nbsp;to&nbsp;protect&nbsp;the&nbsp;security of sensitive taxpayer information.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These complications were exacerbated by the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, which presented an additional set of challenges. Initial difficulties with teleworking hindered IRS employees\u2019 ability to support customers, correspond by mail, and process paper and some electronic tax returns.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"btn\" style=\"width:100%;padding:0;\"><button class=\"btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle pb-2\" style=\"font-size: 20px; color: #ffffff; background-color: #002f54; border: none; float:left;\" type=\"button\" id=\"dropdownMenuButton\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\" aria-haspopup=\"true\" aria-expanded=\"false\">More Profiles<\/button><div class=\"dropdown-menu\" aria-labelledby=\"dropdownMenuButton\">\n    <a class=\"dropdown-item\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-work\/customer-experience\/airport-security-screening-and-passenger-support-services\/\">Airport Security Screening and Passenger Support Services<\/a>\n    <a class=\"dropdown-item\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-work\/customer-experience\/uscis\/\">Citizenship and Immigration Applicant Services<\/a>\n <a class=\"dropdown-item\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-work\/customer-experience\/customs-and-border-protection\/\">Customs Airport Security and Screening Services<\/a>\n      <a class=\"dropdown-item\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-work\/customer-experience\/farm-loan-and-conservation-services\/\">Farm Loan and Conservation Service<\/a>\n    <a class=\"dropdown-item\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-work\/customer-experience\/federal-student-aid-services\/\">Federal Student Aid<\/a>\n  <a class=\"dropdown-item\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-work\/customer-experience\/individual-taxpayer-services-2\/\">Individual Taxpayer Services<\/a>\n <a class=\"dropdown-item\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-work\/customer-experience\/medicare-customer-support-services\/\">Medicare Customer Support Services<\/a>\n    <a class=\"dropdown-item\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-work\/customer-experience\/outdoor-recreation-reservations\/\">Outdoor Recreation Reservations for Federal Lands<\/a> \n    <a class=\"dropdown-item\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-work\/customer-experience\/passport-services-2\/\">Passport Services<\/a>\n    <a class=\"dropdown-item\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-work\/customer-experience\/veterans-education-and-training-benefits\/\">Veterans Education and Training Benefits<\/a> \n    <a class=\"dropdown-item\" href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/our-work\/customer-experience\/outpatient-health-care-services-for-veterans\/\">Veterans Outpatient Health Care Services<\/a>\n      <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color:#efefef\" data-bg-color=\"#efefef\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"service-overview\"><strong>Service Overview<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Primary Customers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\">Individuals, businesses, nonprofits and charities that must&nbsp;file&nbsp;taxes,&nbsp;as well as tax professionals&nbsp;who&nbsp;help others&nbsp;prepare&nbsp;their&nbsp;taxes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><strong>Key&nbsp;services&nbsp;for&nbsp;individual taxpayers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tax-return processing.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Collection and processing&nbsp;of tax payments.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Processing&nbsp;of tax refunds&nbsp;and assistance with inquiries about refund status.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Access to tax records.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Answers to taxpayer questions about how to fulfill tax responsibilities.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:5px;background-color:#efefef;color:#efefef\" data-color=\"#efefef\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"5\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\" id=\"data-at-a-glance\">Data at a Glance<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-multi-column multi-column-wrapper columns-3\" data-column-count=\"3\" data-column-layout=\"even\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Top-Graphs_IRS-1-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-20370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Top-Graphs_IRS-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Top-Graphs_IRS-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Top-Graphs_IRS-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Top-Graphs_IRS-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Top-Graphs_IRS-1-1600x1601.png 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Top-Graphs_IRS-1-1920x1921.png 1920w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Top-Graphs_IRS-1-1200x1200.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">customer satisfaction rate among callers who&nbsp;reached a representative on the primary customer service lines in fiscal 2019&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-2-1-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29646\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-2-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-2-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-2-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-2-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-2-1-250x250.png 250w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-2-1-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-2-1-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-2-1-1600x1600.png 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-2-1-1920x1920.png 1920w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-2-1-1200x1200.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">customer satisfaction score for electronic tax filing in 2019&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-3-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-29647\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-3-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-3-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-3-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-3-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-3-250x250.png 250w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-3-1536x1536.png 1536w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-3-2048x2048.png 2048w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-3-1600x1600.png 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-3-1920x1920.png 1920w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Top-Graphs_IRS-3-1200x1200.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">decrease in customers who were able to get through to an agent on the primary customer service lines in fiscal 2019, though this number has improved from five years ago&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"overview\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:10px;background-color:#009898;color:#009898\" data-color=\"#009898\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"10\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center pt-5 pl-3 wp-block-heading\" id=\"overview\"><strong>People Interact With the IRS By<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\">(<em>All data for fiscal year 2019<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-multi-column multi-column-wrapper columns-5\" data-column-count=\"5\" data-column-layout=\"even\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Contact-Center-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28311\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Contact-Center-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Contact-Center-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Contact-Center-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Contact-Center-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Contact-Center-250x250.png 250w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Contact-Center.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<center><h6><strong>CALLING THE IRS CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE<\/strong><\/h6><\/center>\n\n\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><strong>76.8 million<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center pb-0 mb-0\"><strong>attempted calls to the IRS\u2019 accounts management customer service lines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#efefef;color:#efefef\" data-color=\"#efefef\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">(77.7&nbsp;million in&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;2018).<sup>1<\/sup>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Wait_Time-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28312\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Wait_Time-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Wait_Time-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Wait_Time-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Wait_Time-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Wait_Time-250x250.png 250w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Wait_Time.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<center><h6><strong>AVERAGE WAIT TIME FOR CALLS&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h6><\/center>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center pb-0 mb-0 wp-block-heading\" id=\"11-3-minutes\"><strong>11.3&nbsp;minutes<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#efefef;color:#efefef\" data-color=\"#efefef\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center pb-0 mb-0\"><strong>to speak with a representative<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#efefef;color:#efefef\" data-color=\"#efefef\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">(7.5 minutes<br>in&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;2018).<sup>2<\/sup>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Visiting-Online-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28310\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Visiting-Online-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Visiting-Online-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Visiting-Online-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Visiting-Online-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Visiting-Online-250x250.png 250w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Visiting-Online.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<center><h6><strong>VISITING ONLINE<\/strong><\/h6><\/center>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\" id=\"651-million\"><strong>651 million&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center pb-0 mb-0\"><strong>visits&nbsp;to IRS.gov&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#efefef;color:#efefef\" data-color=\"#efefef\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">&nbsp;(608.8&nbsp;million in&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;2018).<sup>3<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28313\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-250x250.png 250w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<center><h6><strong>Visiting an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center <\/strong><\/h6><\/center>\n\n\n\n<h2 style=\"text-align:center\"><strong>Almost 2.4 million<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center pb-0 mb-0\"><strong>face-to-face&nbsp;contacts through&nbsp;Taxpayer Assistance Centers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#efefef;color:#efefef\" data-color=\"#efefef\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center pb-0 mb-0\">&nbsp;(2.9 million<br>in&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;2018).<sup>4<\/sup><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28313\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face-250x250.png 250w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Face_to_Face.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<center><h6><strong>Filing a tax return&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h6><\/center>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center pb-0 mb-0 wp-block-heading\" id=\"253million\"><strong>&gt;253<\/strong><br><strong>million<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#efefef;color:#efefef\" data-color=\"#efefef\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center pb-0 mb-0\"><strong>tax returns and supplemental documents filed<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#efefef;color:#efefef\" data-color=\"#efefef\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">(Less than&nbsp;250&nbsp;million in&nbsp;fiscal&nbsp;2018).<sup>5<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#efefef;color:#efefef\" data-color=\"#efefef\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center pb-0 mb-0 wp-block-heading\" id=\"452-billion\"><strong>$452 billion<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#efefef;color:#efefef\" data-color=\"#efefef\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center pb-0 mb-0\"><strong>in tax refunds<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"feedback\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:10px;background-color:#008035;color:#008035\" data-color=\"#008035\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"10\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center pt-5 wp-block-heading\" id=\"customer-experience-insights\"><strong>Customer Experience Insights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-vivid-red-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\"><em><strong>Click tabs to expand<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-multi-column multi-column-wrapper columns-rightQuarter\" data-column-count=\"2\" data-column-layout=\"rightQuarter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><style type=\"text\/css\" id=\"eap-inline-style-19633\"> #sp-ea-19633 .spcollapsing{height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition-property: height; transition-duration: 500ms;}.sp-easy-accordion iframe{width: 100%;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single.eap_inactive>.ea-header a{background-color: #bb0000 !important; color: #fff !important;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single{\n\t\tmargin-bottom: 20px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2; border-radius: 3px;\n\t}\n\t#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .eap-title-icon{\n\t\tcolor: #444;\n\t\tfont-size: 20px;\n\t}\n\t#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .eap-title-custom-icon{\n\t\tmax-width: 20px;\n\t}\n\t#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header:hover a .eap-title-icon{color: #444;}\n\t#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single.ea-expand>.ea-header a .eap-title-icon{color: #444;}\n\t#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a{padding: 15px 15px 15px 15px; color: #000000; font-size: 20px; line-height: 30px; text-align: left; letter-spacing: 0; text-transform: none;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header:hover a{color: #444;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single.ea-expand>.ea-header a{color: #444;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body{background: #fff; padding: 15px 15px 15px 15px; border-radius: 0 0 3px 3px; color: #000000; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; letter-spacing: 0; line-height: 26px; animation-delay: 200ms; text-transform: none;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon.fa{color: #444; font-size: 25px;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header:hover a .ea-expand-icon.fa{color: #444;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single.ea-expand>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon.fa{color: #444;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a{background: #efefef;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header:hover a{background: #efefef;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single.ea-expand>.ea-header a{background: #efefef;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single{border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid #e2e2e2;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.sp-collapse>.ea-body{border-radius: 0 0 3px 3px; border: none;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon.fa{float: right; margin-right: 10px;}#sp-ea-19633.sp-easy-accordion>.sp-ea-single>.ea-header a .ea-expand-icon.fa{margin-right: 0; margin-left: 10px;}<\/style><div id=\"sp-ea-19633\" class=\"sp-ea-one sp-easy-accordion\" data-ex-icon=\"fa-minus\" data-col-icon=\"fa-plus\"  data-ea-active=\"ea-click\"  data-ea-mode=\"vertical\" data-ea-coll=\"\" data-autoclose=\"\" data-preloader=\"\" data-autoplaytime=\"3000\"><div class=\"ea-card   sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse196330\" href=\"javascript:void(0)\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/CX-icons_Improvement.png\" class=\"eap-title-custom-icon\" alt=\"\"\/> <strong>In fiscal 2019, the IRS made it easier for customers to complete tasks without having to travel to a Taxpayer Assistance Center.  <\/strong><\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse196330\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-19633\"><div class=\"ea-body animated fadeIn\"> <p>With more taxpayers getting services online or over the phone, the IRS was able to provide in-person services more quickly compared to three years ago, and the agency was in a better position to deal with office closures related to the coronavirus.<\/p>\n<h5>Percentage of visitors to Taxpayer Assistance Centers waiting more than 30 minutes for service<sup>10<\/sup><\/h5>\n<table class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Fiscal 2016<\/td>\n<td>27%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Fiscal 2017<\/td>\n<td>6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Fiscal 2018<\/td>\n<td>6%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Fiscal 2019<\/td>\n<td>10%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p style=\"text-align: left\"><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">The agency\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">has\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">focus<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">ed<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">\u00a0on\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">addressing\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">taxpayer\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">questions\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">over the phone or online\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">to reduce the number of\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">office<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">\u00a0visits<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">In 2019<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">,<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">\u00a0t<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">he<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">\u00a0IRS\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">educated customers about digital tools such\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">as\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">its\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SpellingErrorV2 SCXW142362135 BCX0\">DirectPay<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">\u00a0feature<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">, which<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">people can\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">use to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">pay taxes online rat<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">her than sending\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">a\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">check\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">or bringing\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">payment\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW142362135 BCX0\">to an office.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW142362135 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20389\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20389\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20389 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Image_TAC_1-1024x591.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"591\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Image_TAC_1-1024x591.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Image_TAC_1-300x173.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Image_TAC_1-768x444.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Image_TAC_1.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20389\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cWhen taxpayers came into Taxpayer Assistance Centers with a payment, instead of saying, \u2018Hey, you know you could do this online,\u2019 we actually sat down next to them and said, \u2018Let me show you how to do this,\u2019\u201d said Karin Rice, communications and liaison director in the IRS Wage and Investment Division.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card   sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse196331\" href=\"javascript:void(0)\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i>  <strong>The IRS website offers customers several easy-to-use tools to help them get answers to their questions.<\/strong><\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse196331\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-19633\"><div class=\"ea-body animated fadeIn\"> <p>We gave a B+ to selected webpages intended to help users understand how much money to withhold from their paychecks and when they will receive a refund.<\/p>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card   sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse196332\" href=\"javascript:void(0)\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i>  <em>Click to see full results of our website experience analysis<\/em><\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse196332\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-19633\"><div class=\"ea-body animated fadeIn\"> <div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-multi-column multi-column-wrapper columns-rightQuarter mb-0\" data-column-count=\"2\" data-column-layout=\"rightQuarter\">\n<p><!-- wp:column --><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\">\n<p><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Website Experience:<br \/>\nHow easy is it to navigate and understand online information?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Reviewers looked at selected webpages from the perspective of people trying to answer two questions:<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What should I expect when receiving my tax refund?\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/refunds\">https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/refunds<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/refunds\/what-to-expect-for-refunds-this-year\">https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/refunds\/what-to-expect-for-refunds-this-year <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li>How much money should I withhold from my paycheck?\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/individuals\/tax-withholding-estimator\">https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/individuals\/tax-withholding-estimator <\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- \/wp:column --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:column --><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column\" style=\"max-width: 25%\">\n<p><!-- wp:pps-gutenberg-blocks\/styled-container --><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\" style=\"background-color: #009898\" data-bg-color=\"#009898\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-thickness=\"0\">\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-color\" style=\"color: #ffffff;text-align: center;font-size: 18px\">IRS Grade<\/p>\n<h1 class=\"text-white\" style=\"text-align: center;font-size: 40px\"><strong>B+<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- \/wp:pps-gutenberg-blocks\/styled-container --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- \/wp:column --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"border-success\" style=\"height: 30px\" \/>\n<p><strong>Strengths<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The \u201cWhere\u2019s my Refund?\u201d button makes it easy for users to find answers related to their specific tax situations.<\/li>\n<li>Content explaining when to expect a refund uses clear language that is easy to digest.<\/li>\n<li>The site clearly explains typical timing for receiving refunds and whom to contact if users do not get theirs within that time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Standout feature: tax withholding calculator<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tax w<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ithholding\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">estimator\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">has\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">clean, simple\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">design<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">the\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">webpage<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0is\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">user-oriented<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. It\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tells users what information to collect before<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">using the tool<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">,\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">helpful<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0feature<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0navigation guide at the top of the page<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">shows users where\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">they are in the process<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">as<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">they are\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">guide<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">d<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0through\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">a set of\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">questions with\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">predefined\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">response\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">options<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">and\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">easy-to-fill\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">fields\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">for\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">data. The\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">website\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">design is effective, and the language is clear<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0and<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0easy to\u00a0<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">understand<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<hr class=\"border-danger\" style=\"height: 30px\" \/>\n<p><strong>Opportunities to improve<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Some pages are busy, with multiple pieces of information competing for attention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr style=\"height: 30px\" \/>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:list --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:list --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":20} --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:spacer --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image {\"id\":19602,\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:spacer {\"height\":20} --><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-spacer\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<figure id=\"attachment_20392\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20392\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20392 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.09-PM-1024x569.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.09-PM-1024x569.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.09-PM-300x167.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.09-PM-768x427.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.09-PM-1600x889.png 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.09-PM-1920x1066.png 1920w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.09-PM-1200x666.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20392\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Checking refund status is easy by clicking \u201cWhere\u2019s my Refund?\u201d but the page has a lot of competing information (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/refunds\/what-to-expect-for-refunds-this-year\">https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/refunds\/what-to-expect-for-refunds-this-year<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure id=\"attachment_20393\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20393\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-20393 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.47-PM-1024x535.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"535\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.47-PM-1024x535.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.47-PM-300x157.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.47-PM-768x401.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.47-PM-1600x836.png 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.47-PM-1920x1003.png 1920w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Screen-Shot-2020-09-10-at-12.21.47-PM-1200x627.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-20393\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The withholding app uses good information design such as displaying a clear navigation bar at the top of the page (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/individuals\/tax-withholding-estimator\">https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/individuals\/tax-withholding-estimator<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- \/wp:spacer --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image {\"id\":19603,\"linkDestination\":\"media\"} --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card   sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse196333\" href=\"javascript:void(0)\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/CX-icons_Ongoing.png\" class=\"eap-title-custom-icon\" alt=\"\"\/> <strong>It took longer for customers to reach an IRS representative on the agency\u2019s primary customer service line in 2019 compared with 2018, although wait times improved markedly from five years ago.<\/strong><\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse196333\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-19633\"><div class=\"ea-body animated fadeIn\"> <p>When callers were able to reach a representative on the IRS\u2019 primary customer service lines, they continued to report high a high satisfaction level of 88%.<sup>11<\/sup><\/p>\n<p>However, in fiscal 2019 only 65% of callers to the customer service line who were routed to an agent for assistance were able to get through\u2014an 11% decrease from the prior year. The IRS calls this measure the \u201clevel of service.\u201d This decline was partially due to the long-term impact of the 2018-2019 government shutdown, when many IRS employees were furloughed.<\/p>\n<h5>Metrics for IRS Customer Service Line (2015-2019)<sup>12<\/sup><\/h5>\n<table class=\"wp-block-table\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td>Fiscal 2015<\/td>\n<td>Fiscal 2016<\/td>\n<td>Fiscal 2017<\/td>\n<td>Fiscal 2018<\/td>\n<td>Fiscal 2019<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Average wait time<\/td>\n<td>30.5 minutes<\/td>\n<td>17.8 minutes<\/td>\n<td>8.4 minutes<\/td>\n<td>7.5 minutes<\/td>\n<td>11.3 minutes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Level of service<\/td>\n<td>38%<\/td>\n<td>53%<\/td>\n<td>77%<\/td>\n<td>76%<\/td>\n<td>65%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>To improve the customer experience, the agency is piloting a virtual callback feature on five of its phone lines. This feature enables customers to keep their place in the queue and receive a callback from a phone agent, rather than waiting on hold. On just one if its phone lines, this feature saved customers an estimated 111,000 hours of hold time, with 77% of customers opting to receive a call back.<\/p>\n<p>The IRS plans to add the option to a total of 15 phone lines (or 40% of its phone demand) in fiscal 2022, and nearly all phone lines by 2024.<\/p>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card   sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse196334\" href=\"javascript:void(0)\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i>  <strong>Customers increasingly favor submitting tax returns electronically over paper options.<\/strong><\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse196334\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-19633\"><div class=\"ea-body animated fadeIn\"> <p>The number of individuals submitting e-file tax returns is on the rise, with nearly 89% of individual returns filed electronically in 2019\u2014about a 10% growth since 2016.<sup>13<\/sup> The agency believes customers favor the electronic process due to its faster processing times and user-friendly features, such as acknowledgement of receipt.<\/p>\n<h5 class=\"margin-top-25\">Customer Satisfaction Scores, 2019<\/h5>\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-image-list-item image-list-item\">\n<div class=\"list-image-wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20276 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Electronic-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Electronic-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Electronic-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Electronic-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Electronic-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Electronic-1600x1601.png 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Electronic-1920x1921.png 1920w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Electronic-1200x1200.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>individuals filing taxes electronically: <strong>74 out of 100<\/strong><sup>14<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-image-list-item image-list-item\">\n<div class=\"list-image-wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20277 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Paper-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Paper-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Paper-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Paper-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Paper-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Paper-1600x1600.png 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Paper-1920x1920.png 1920w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_IRS-Paper-1200x1200.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>individuals filing taxes using paper: <strong>60 out of 100<\/strong><sup>15<\/sup><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-image-list-item image-list-item\">\n<div class=\"list-image-wrapper\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-20275 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_Gov-Compare-300x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_Gov-Compare-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_Gov-Compare-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_Gov-Compare-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_Gov-Compare-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_Gov-Compare-1600x1599.png 1600w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_Gov-Compare-1920x1919.png 1920w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Graphs_Gov-Compare-1200x1200.png 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW219145684 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW219145684 BCX0\">government-wide <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW219145684 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"none\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW219145684 BCX0\">aggregate score<\/span><\/span>: <strong>68.1 out of 100<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card   sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse196335\" href=\"javascript:void(0)\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/CX-icons_Ongoing.png\" class=\"eap-title-custom-icon\" alt=\"\"\/> <strong>Users often struggle to verify their identity when accessing certain online services.<\/strong><\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse196335\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-19633\"><div class=\"ea-body animated fadeIn\"> <ul>\n<li>For fiscal 2019, only 43% of taxpayers attempting to verify their identity and register for a new online account were able to meet IRS\u2019 strict authentication standards.<sup>16<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">C<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">ustomer<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">s<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">may\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">need to verify their identify\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">for several reasons\u2014for example<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">,<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">if\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">their\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">tax return\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">is<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">\u00a0flagged for potential<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">\u00a0identity fraud<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">If customers can\u2019t verify <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">their identity online, they need to call the IRS or visit in person. <\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">In\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">2019<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">,<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">\u00a0the agency enhanced its online ID verification tool\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">by\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">add<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">ing\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">more\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">capabilities<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">, including the ability to\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">handle tax returns from previous years\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">if\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">an old<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">er<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">\u00a0return\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">is flagged for\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">f<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">raud.<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">However, p<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">eople do<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">n<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">o<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">t always have all the documentation they need to verify their identities,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">such as<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">\u00a0an account<\/span><\/span><span class=\"TextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\" lang=\"EN-US\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" data-contrast=\"auto\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW159659152 BCX0\">\u00a0number from a mortgage or credit card.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/span><span class=\"EOP SCXW159659152 BCX0\" data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"ea-card   sp-ea-single\"><h3 class=\"ea-header\"><a class=\"collapsed\" data-sptoggle=\"spcollapse\" data-sptarget=\"#collapse196336\" href=\"javascript:void(0)\"><i class=\"ea-expand-icon fa fa-plus\"><\/i>  <strong>Taxpayers with limited English proficiency cannot yet access important IRS forms and information in their preferred language.<\/strong><\/a><\/h3><div class=\"sp-collapse spcollapse spcollapse \" id=\"collapse196336\" data-parent=\"#sp-ea-19633\"><div class=\"ea-body animated fadeIn\"> <ul>\n<li>The IRS\u2019 10 most commonly filed forms, and many of its online services, are currently available only in English.<sup>17<\/sup><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The IRS plans to start publishing these tax forms in six languages in 2021, starting with Spanish. It has already translated some of its online content into Spanish and other languages, and officials say they plan to translate more content over the next few years. As more forms and correspondence become available in other languages, the agency is working on an option for taxpayers to denote their preferred language in their online accounts so the IRS can send them correspondence in that language.<\/p>\n <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-multi-column multi-column-wrapper columns-rightQuarter mb-0\" data-column-count=\"2\" data-column-layout=\"rightQuarter\">\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"background-color:#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-border-thickness=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container pt-0 pl-0 ml-0 mt-0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-multi-column multi-column-wrapper columns-leftQuarter pt-0 pl-0 ml-0\" data-column-count=\"2\" data-column-layout=\"leftQuarter\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<h6 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key\">Key<\/h6>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized pb-3\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Improvement-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28314\" width=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Improvement-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Improvement-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Improvement-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Improvement-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Improvement-250x250.png 250w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Improvement-1200x1200.png 1200w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Improvement.png 1250w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Ongoing-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28315\" width=\"50\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Ongoing-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Ongoing-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Ongoing-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Ongoing-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Ongoing-250x250.png 250w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Ongoing-1200x1200.png 1200w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/CX-icons_Ongoing.png 1251w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div style=\"height:30px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"pb-1\">Improvement from last year<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"pb-2\">Ongoing challenge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"social-web\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:10px;background-color:#00588e;color:#00588e\" data-color=\"#00588e\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"10\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center pt-5 pb-3 wp-block-heading\" id=\"connecting-on-social-media\"><strong>Connecting on Social Media<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">The agency uses social media primarily to inform and educate the public about tax-related issues and to identify common questions and concerns&nbsp;that&nbsp;provide an early indication of problems taxpayers&nbsp;may face\u2014for example, if people are confused about language on an IRS tax form.&nbsp;This enables the agency to address issues quickly, before they become more widespread.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-normal-font-size\">As of<s> <\/s>September&nbsp;2020, the&nbsp;IRS\u2019&nbsp;social media presence&nbsp;related to individual taxpayer services&nbsp;included:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-multi-column multi-column-wrapper columns-5 pb-0 mb-0\" data-column-count=\"5\" data-column-layout=\"even\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-heading\" id=\"twitter\">\n\n<i class=\"fab fa-twitter text-info\"><\/i><br>Twitter<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>(<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/IRSnews\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>@IRSnews<\/strong><\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Followers:<\/strong> 206,00<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator my-0\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#3b4752;color:#3b4752\" data-color=\"#3b4752\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Total tweets: <\/strong>48,90<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<h5><i class=\"fab fa-facebook-square text-primary\"><\/i><br>\n Facebook<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/IRS\"><strong>@IRS<\/strong><\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Followers:<\/strong> 420,400<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator my-0\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#3b4752;color:#3b4752\" data-color=\"#3b4752\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Total likes:<\/strong> 319,400<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-heading\" id=\"instagram\"><i class=\"fab fa-instagram text-danger\"><\/i><br>\nInstagram<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>(<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/irsnews\/\">@IRSnews<\/a><\/strong>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Followers:<\/strong> 57,300<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator my-0\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#3b4752;color:#3b4752\" data-color=\"#3b4752\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Total posts:<\/strong> 436<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<h5 class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-heading\" id=\"youtube\"><i class=\"fab fa-youtube-square text-default\"><\/i><br>\nYouTube<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>(<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/irsvideos\"><strong>IRSvideos<\/strong><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/uscis\">)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Subscribers:<\/strong> 50,200<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator my-0\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#3b4752;color:#3b4752\" data-color=\"#3b4752\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Total views:<\/strong> 5.8 million<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<h5>Social media practices<\/h5><br>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left text-success\"><strong><span style=\"color:#000000\">Posts almost daily?<\/span><br><span style=\"text:red\">Yes<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator my-0\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#3b4752;color:#3b4752\" data-color=\"#3b4752\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-danger\"><br><strong><span style=\"color:#000000\">Responds to customers?<\/span><\/strong><br><strong>No<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator my-0\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#3b4752;color:#3b4752\" data-color=\"#3b4752\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-success\"><br><strong><span style=\"color:#000000\">Uses multimedia content?<\/span><\/strong><br><strong>Yes<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\"><em>For background information on these metrics and our full methodology click <a href=\"#appendix\">here<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" style=\"background-color:#99002b;color:#ffffff\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color=\"#99002b\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\" data-color=\"#ffffff\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<h3 class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-heading\" id=\"how-the-irs-adjusted-taxpayer-services-during-the-coronavirus\"><strong>How the IRS adjusted taxpayer services during the coronavirus <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The IRS&nbsp;has&nbsp;faced&nbsp;enormous challenges&nbsp;during the&nbsp;coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;In March 2020, the&nbsp;agency&nbsp;had to close tax processing centers,&nbsp;Taxpayer Assistance Centers&nbsp;and other offices across the country.&nbsp;The&nbsp;IRS&nbsp;had&nbsp;to&nbsp;manage&nbsp;the&nbsp;busy tax filing season while&nbsp;also&nbsp;delivering economic stimulus payments to millions of&nbsp;customers&nbsp;in a timely manner.&nbsp;To complete these tasks, the&nbsp;agency&nbsp;extended the tax filing deadline by three months, giving taxpayers&nbsp;until July 15&nbsp;to file and IRS&nbsp;employees&nbsp;more time&nbsp;receive and&nbsp;process&nbsp;tax&nbsp;returns.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Congress&nbsp;passed the CARES Act&nbsp;on March 27.&nbsp;Within a few months,&nbsp;the&nbsp;IRS&nbsp;delivered&nbsp;over 160&nbsp;million&nbsp;economic&nbsp;stimulus payments&nbsp;to individuals&nbsp;and launched&nbsp;an online tracking tool&nbsp;to help&nbsp;them&nbsp;easily&nbsp;check the status of their payments<sup>6<\/sup>&nbsp;\u2013 both&nbsp;notable&nbsp;accomplishments&nbsp;on this timeline and under these circumstances.&nbsp;According to the agency, millions of taxpayers received these payments within 14 days of the CARES Act passing, as compared to the 75 days it took for people to receive stimulus payments during an economic downturn in 2008.&nbsp;Still,&nbsp;some&nbsp;payments&nbsp;were&nbsp;delivered to the wrong&nbsp;individuals&nbsp;and some people had&nbsp;trouble tracking their payments.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The agency&nbsp;also&nbsp;kept&nbsp;up with&nbsp;processing&nbsp;tax returns,&nbsp;going through&nbsp;146 million individual tax&nbsp;returns&nbsp;by&nbsp;July 24, 2020.<sup>7<\/sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite these efforts,&nbsp;some&nbsp;tax filers&nbsp;experienced challenges&nbsp;with&nbsp;the IRS during the pandemic.&nbsp;IRS&nbsp;offices that process&nbsp;paperwork&nbsp;were either&nbsp;closed or operated&nbsp;at limited capacity,&nbsp;delaying the processing of&nbsp;paper&nbsp;tax returns&nbsp;as well as responses&nbsp;to written correspondence.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Taxpayers trying to call the IRS&nbsp;regarding filings and stimulus payments&nbsp;also had a hard time reaching representatives, with many contact center representatives lacking&nbsp;laptops or other&nbsp;equipment&nbsp;they&nbsp;needed to work from home.&nbsp;When the pandemic began,&nbsp;just 44% of the IRS workforce&nbsp;overall&nbsp;was eligible for telework.<sup>8<\/sup>&nbsp;Throughout the spring and summer the&nbsp;IRS&nbsp;set up more employees for remote work, with 50,000&nbsp;of approximately 63,000 teleworking by the end of June.<sup>9<\/sup>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignfull size-large pb-0\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"371\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/USCIS_banner-1024x371.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/USCIS_banner-1024x371.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/USCIS_banner-300x109.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/USCIS_banner-768x278.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/USCIS_banner-1200x434.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/USCIS_banner.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"indicators\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<h2 class=\"has-text-align-center pt-5 wp-block-heading\" id=\"report\"><strong>Indicators that the Customer Experience is a High Priority\u202f<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-medium-font-size\"><em>Click buttons to expand.<\/em><br><span class=\"has-small-font-size\"><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-multi-column multi-column-wrapper columns-3\" data-column-count=\"3\" data-column-layout=\"even\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"commitment-to-customer-experience\"><strong>Commitment to Customer Experience<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The IRS:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Includes high-quality customer experience in its strategic goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content pt-0 dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Specifies customer feedback as a key measure of the organization\u2019s performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><em>Customer satisfaction with the&nbsp;customer service&nbsp;line is included in&nbsp;the IRS\u2019&nbsp;2019 annual report.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Has a senior executive with the responsibility and authority to lead efforts to improve customer experience across the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#ffa500\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#ffa500\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#ffa500;border-color:#ffa500\">Partially<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><em>The IRS has a commissioner for the Wage and Investment Division whose work spans some, but not all, of the agency\u2019s primary service delivery channels. The agency also has a director of its Taxpayer First Act office that is developing a comprehensive customer service strategy for the organization<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-success\"><em><strong>Improvement from 2019<\/strong><\/em><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Shares meaningful customer feedback data with the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#ffa500\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#ffa500\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#ffa500;border-color:#ffa500\">Partially<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><em>The IRS publishes only high-level customer survey results, possibly due to restrictions imposed by the Paperwork Reduction Act.<\/em>&nbsp;\u202f&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"customer-service-basics\"><strong>Customer Service&nbsp;Basics&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>For the most common services provided, customers can:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Complete frequently used transactions online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><em>Customers can go online and check the status of tax refunds, view their tax accounts, make payments and ask questions about tax law.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Easily find information to call an appropriate IRS representative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"text-success\"><em><strong>Improvement from 2019<\/strong><\/em><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Schedule in-person appointments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Obtain status updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><em>Customers can get online updates on the status of their tax refunds.&nbsp;\u202f \u202f<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Has a process for standardizing across channels the information and guidance provided to&nbsp;customers.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><em>The IRS uses a Customer Early Warning System that&nbsp;enables staff&nbsp;members&nbsp;who work with customers to identify issues and update information across channels.<\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div data-bg-color-opacity=\"25\" data-border-thickness=\"0\" class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-styled-container pps-styled-container\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"customer-feedback\"><strong>Customer Feedback&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The agency&nbsp;collects and analyzes data and information on customer perceptions:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Of specific interactions, including website visits, phone calls and in-person appointments.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Of a customer journey through a series of interactions or multistage processes that build toward a specific goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p class=\"text-success\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Of the overall service the organization provides.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Through qualitative research, such as customer interviews, focus groups, analysis of social media comments or direct observation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-css-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Through&nbsp;a structured&nbsp;analysis of&nbsp;comments about the service&nbsp;left on social media channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#449d44\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-size=\"btn-sm\" data-outline-color=\"#449d44\"><a class=\"trigger btn-sm\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#449d44;border-color:#449d44\">Yes<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<p><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em><a href=\"#appendix\">More details about our methodology<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<a id=\"appendix\"><\/a>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:50px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-full-width-column pps-full-width-column\" style=\"background-color:#F6F6F6\" data-bg-type=\"color\" data-bg-color=\"#F6F6F6\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" data-bg-overlay-color-opacity=\"100\"><div class=\"pps-overlay\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-collapsible-content pps-collapsible-content dropdown-toggle-wrapper\" data-color=\"#ffffff\" data-bg-color=\"#00588e\" data-bg-color-opacity=\"100\" style=\"text-align:center\" data-alignment=\"center\" data-outline-color=\"#ffffff\"><a class=\"trigger\" style=\"color:#ffffff;background-color:#00588e;border-color:#ffffff\">Footnotes and Methodology<\/a><div class=\"content\">\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"footnotes\"><strong>Footnotes<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>1   <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov\/Media\/Default\/Documents\/2019-ARC\/ARC19_Volume1_MSP_01_CUSTOMERSERVICESTRATEGY.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Taxpayer Advocate Service, 2019 Annual Report to Congress.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2   <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/pub\/irs-pdf\/p55b.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">2019 IRS Databook.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/pub\/irs-pdf\/p55b.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">2019 IRS Databook.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/pub\/irs-pdf\/p55b.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">    Ibid.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>5    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/pub\/irs-pdf\/p55b.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Ibid.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>6    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/newsroom\/159-million-economic-impact-payments-processed-low-income-people-and-others-who-arent-required-to-file-tax-returns-can-quickly-register-for-payment-with-irs-non-filers-tool\" target=\"_blank\">IRS press release, June 3, 2020.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>7    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/newsroom\/filing-season-statistics-for-week-ending-july-24-2020\" target=\"_blank\">IRS&nbsp;Filing Season Statistics for Week Ending July 24, 2020.<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>8    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.govexec.com\/workforce\/2020\/04\/thousands-irs-employees-are-currently-home-pay-not-working\/164292\/\" target=\"_blank\">National Treasury Employees&nbsp;Union<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>9    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.finance.senate.gov\/imo\/media\/doc\/30JUN2020IRSCOMMISSIONERRETTIGSTMNT.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Written&nbsp;Testimony&nbsp;before the Senate Finance Committee on the 2020 Filing Season and COVID-10 Recovery, June 30, 2020.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>10    Interview with IRS agency officials&nbsp;on&nbsp;March 12, 2020.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>11    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/pub\/irs-pdf\/p55b.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">2019 IRS Databook.<\/a>&nbsp;This measure reflects only callers who were able to reach a representative.&nbsp;The&nbsp;customer satisfaction score indicates the percentage of respondents who selected the top two choices\u2014\u201csatisfied\u201d or \u201cvery satisfied\u201d on a&nbsp;five-point scale.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>12    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov\/Media\/Default\/Documents\/2019-ARC\/ARC19_Volume1_MSP_01_CUSTOMERSERVICESTRATEGY.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Taxpayer Advocate Service, 2019 Annual Report to Congress.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>13    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.irs.gov\/pub\/irs-soi\/p6186.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">IRS Publication 6186, 2019.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>14    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theacsi.org\/acsi-benchmarks-for-u-s-federal-government-2019\" target=\"_blank\">ACSI Benchmarks for US Federal Government 2019<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>15    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theacsi.org\/acsi-benchmarks-for-u-s-federal-government-2019\" target=\"_blank\">Ibid.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>16    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/taxpayeradvocate.irs.gov\/Media\/Default\/Documents\/2019-ARC\/ARC19_Volume1_MSP_01_CUSTOMERSERVICESTRATEGY.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Taxpayer Advocate Service, 2019 Annual Report to Congress.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>17    <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gao.gov\/assets\/710\/703870.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">2020 GAO report<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#000000;color:#000000\" data-color=\"#000000\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"social-media-review-methodology\"><strong>Social media review methodology<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>To assess how agencies use social media to interact with customers, we examined three social media best practices identified through conversations with experts: posting frequently, delivering engaging content and responding to questions. We analyzed the most active Facebook or Twitter account by selecting specific months to examine trends throughout the year, including changes to social media activity during the coronavirus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The team defined <strong>posting almost daily <\/strong>as meaning the agency posted for at least 25 out of 30 days on average in September 2019, December 2019, March 2020 and May 2020. <strong>Includes multimedia content<\/strong> is defined as whether the agency posted a range of multimedia content with interactive elements beyond just static images. <strong>Responds to customers<\/strong> is defined as whether or not agencies respond to questions through the direct message feature on Facebook or in the comment section of posts. To assess this, we examined September 2019, December 2019 and April 2020 (or another month when data was not available). &nbsp;\u201cNo\u201d indicates the agency never or rarely responds to comments; \u201cYes \u2013 occasionally\u201d indicates the agency responds sometimes, but there does not appear to be a consistent pattern over time; and \u201cYes \u2013 regularly\u201d indicates the agency responds to comments on a frequent and consistent basis over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The number of tweets, likes, posts and views reflect the total activity since the social media account was established.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#000000;color:#000000\" data-color=\"#000000\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"website-experience-methodology\"><strong>Website experience methodology<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>For each agency, we selected for review a set of webpages that customers would theoretically visit to seek answers to frequently asked questions, vetted with each agency. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We partnered with the Center for Plain Language to conduct this review. The center followed the same methodology it uses to assess plain language for its annual ClearMark awards for a range of organizations and its annual Federal Plain Language Report Card for the government. Two plain-language experts individually and independently reviewed and scored each set of pages, using five plain-language criteria to assess each site. They rated each criterion on a five-point scale:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Information design and navigation.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pictures, graphics and charts.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Style or voice.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Structure and content.\u202f&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Understanding of audience.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The reviewers then met to reach consensus on strengths and weaknesses of each site and to assign a letter grade based on their ratings.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-pps-gutenberg-blocks-separator pps-separator\" style=\"border:none;height:1px;background-color:#000000;color:#000000\" data-color=\"#000000\" data-color-opacity=\"100\" data-thickness=\"1\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"customer-experience-indicators-methodology\"><strong>Customer experience indicators methodology<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>The Partnership and Accenture developed the following list of indicators to understand how agencies prioritize the customer experience, and steps they can take to improve. The list is based on research about effective customer experience practices in both government and the private sector, and aligns with practices in a customer experience maturity self-assessment for agencies developed by the Office of Management and Budget. Leaders who participated in the Partnership\u2019s federal customer experience roundtable provided input.\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Commitment to customer experience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The agency:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Includes high-quality customer experience in its strategic goals.&nbsp;  <br><strong>Criteria<\/strong>: 1) customer experience with the agency\u2019s services is listed in the strategic plan as one of the organization\u2019s top priorities or a supporting goal of one of the priorities 2) the strategic plan provides specific actions the agency will take to improve customer experience.&nbsp; <br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Specifies customer feedback as a key measure of the organization\u2019s performance.&nbsp;  <br><strong>Criteria:<\/strong> There is a performance measure included in the agency\u2019s strategic plan, annual performance report or agency priority goals that is based on feedback directly from customers.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has a senior executive with the responsibility and authority to lead efforts to improve customer experience across the organization. <br><strong>Criteria:<\/strong> Based on a review of the agency organizational chart and online descriptions of leadership positions, the agency has an executive who meets the following criteria: 1) customer experience is his or her primary responsibility 2) he or she reports to the head of the organization or a deputy 3) his or her work spans all major service delivery channels (e.g., online services, contact centers, face-to-face services).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;  <br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shares meaningful customer feedback with the public.<br><strong>Criteria: <\/strong>In alignment with the Office of Management and Budget\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.sharepoint.com\/:w:\/r\/programs\/_layouts\/15\/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7BAC832E7A-58EA-466E-8613-A7075E6DA2BF%7D&amp;file=Template%20-%20Indicators%20that%20Customer%20Experience%20is%20a%20High%20Priority.docx&amp;action=default&amp;mobileredirect=truehttps:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/s280.pdf\">guidance<\/a> on customer experience measurement, the agency publishes customer feedback that: 1) represents multiple service delivery channels 2) provides details into different aspects of the experience (e.g., beyond overall customer satisfaction).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Customer Service Basics<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the most common services provided, customers can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Complete online frequently used transactions.<br><strong>Criteria<\/strong>: Based on a review of the agency\u2019s website, customers can complete major services or transactions online.<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easily find information to call an appropriate representative.<br><strong>Criteria<\/strong>:&nbsp;Does the agency\u2019s website provide a clear explanation of which number to call for specific issues or provide one number that customers can call to get routed to the appropriate person.&nbsp;  <br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Schedule in-person appointments. <br><strong>Criteria<\/strong>: Based on a review of the agency\u2019s website, customers can schedule appointments for in-person services. <br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Obtain status updates.<br><strong>Criteria<\/strong>: Customers can get current updates through an online or self-service channel that includes estimated timelines on items such as submitted applications or benefit disbursements.  <br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find standardized and consistent information and guidance across channels.&nbsp; <br><strong>Criteria:<\/strong> At least two service delivery channels have integrated knowledge management systems so that when content for customers on one channel is updated, it is updated on the other channel.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Customer\nFeedback<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The agency collects and analyzes data and information on customer perceptions: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Of specific interactions, including website visits, phone calls, and in-person appointments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Of the customer journey through a series of interactions or multi-stage processes that build toward a specific goal. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Of the service provided by the organization overall<em>.&nbsp; <\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Through qualitative research, such as customer interviews, focus groups or direct observation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Through a structured analysis of comments about the service left on social media channels. <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"246\" height=\"66\" src=\"https:\/\/ourpublicservice.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/accenture.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-28317\"\/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>This customer experience profile was produced in collaboration with&nbsp;<\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.accenture.com\/us-en\/industries\/afs-index?c=psv_us_accenturefedera_10490752&amp;n=psgs_brand_0119&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwh8jrBRDQARIsAH7BsXdzhqDvl1RTe7rFMzfpi_y2GDSDk8Ip59-G15YcQSxmB4_I0yI7XF4aAo6DEALw_wcB\"><em>Accenture Federal Services<\/em><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data at a Glance<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":29644,"parent":29525,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"sort-date":"","content-type":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_searchwp_excluded":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-29643","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.2 (Yoast SEO v26.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Individual Taxpayer Services &#8226; 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