Can the IRS Improve Its Phone Service?

By Rick Telberg
CPA Trendlines

When the Internal Revenue Service launched its “Future State Initiative” in 2016, it promised a new and admirable level of service. From then on, taxpayers could expect the same level of service when dealing with the IRS as they get from a financial institution or a retailer. Or, so it seemed.

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Such brave words for a brave new world of tax collection! Alas, the promise of better service has not combined well with congressional cuts to the IRS budget. The brunt of those cuts is felt at the interface of frustrated taxpayers and stretched-thin IRS agents.

Posted on February 9, 2018

Rick Telberg

About the Author

Rick Telberg is a veteran analyst, advisor, commentator, editor, and publisher. He brings a unique background and perspective to research and advisory services for the professional services community.

Mr. Telberg may well be the accounting profession's most widely-known commentator through his long associations with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Accounting Today magazine, and today, CPA Trendlines.

As an expert in management, marketing, media, and e-commerce, Mr. Telberg has served as Senior Editorial Director of Pro2Net Corp., now www.smartpros.com, and as Director of Online Content at CPA2Biz, www.cpa.com.

Previously, Mr. Telberg served as the early Editor-in-Chief of Accounting Today, and as Vice President/Group Publisher at Thomson Financial (now SourceMedia), overseeing Practical Accountant, Accounting Technology, and what is now AccountingToday.com.

Mr. Telberg was presented with a special citation by the National Society of Accountants for service to the profession and has served on a variety of boards and steering committees, including BKR International and the IBM Small Business Advisory Council. He is a graduate of New York University.

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