Kiplinger

10 Ways the IRS Could Be More Taxpayer-Friendly in the New Year

Let's face it...the IRS isn't the most popular government agency out there. It's not just that they take your money. They also have a (undeserved?) reputation for tough stances on deductions and credits, aggressive tax collectors, poor customer service and generally being difficult if you happen to disagree with them.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a kinder, gentler IRS? You'd still have to pay your taxes, but at least you wouldn't have to deal with some of the IRS's rougher edges anymore. Well, guess what... Congress is kicking around a few ideas that would make the IRS a little more taxpayer-friendly. There's bipartisan support for improving the IRS, so we may actually see some of them enacted.

Here are the 10 best proposals from a bill recently passed by the House that could improve the IRS's bad reputation (in no particular order).

Open Up the Independent Review Process

Getty Images

You claim a sizable deduction on your tax return, but an IRS auditor says you're not eligible or that the amount

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Kiplinger

Kiplinger5 min read
4 Steps for Managing Income Withdrawals in Retirement
If you’re like most Americans nearing retirement, you’re worried about whether you have enough savings. In fact, only 22% of those approaching retirement believe they’ve saved enough to retire comfortably. At a time when the stock market is down, inf
Kiplinger5 min readRobotics
Retirees: Your Next Companion May Be a Robot
Elliq, a foot-hight robot that looks like an oval lampshade on a small base, greets Monica Perez first thing in the morning, asks her how she feels, and reminds her about taking medications and any upcoming appointments.  “I have good-quality friends
Kiplinger4 min readAmerican Government
Where the Midterm Election Races Stand Today
With the congressional midterm elections only weeks away, here’s how we think things will shake out. In early spring, Republicans appeared well on their way to steamroll through the midterms and win back control of the House and Senate. Democrats wer

Related Books & Audiobooks