In January, the National Taxpayer Advocate warned that Americans would face the worst service from the Internal Revenue Service in five years. With the filing deadline rapidly approaching, that prediction has come true: Just four in 10 callers can get through on the IRS toll-free helpline. And the agency has 5,000 fewer agents than four years ago, so billions in revenue is going uncollected. The IRS blames Republicans on Capitol Hill for cutting the agency’s budget by more than a billion dollars over the past five years. Critics of the IRS say that mismanagement and wasteful spending are the causes. We discuss what’s behind declining service at the IRS and what can be done about it.
“Due to extremely high call volume in the topic you requested, we are unable to handle your call at this time.” That’s the message thousands of people are receiving from an IRS that is understaffed and underfunded as tax season comes to a close.
Your Tax Questions Answered - The Diane Rehm Show
If you've felt like you've had a hard time with the IRS this year, you aren't alone. The agency has 5,000 fewer agents than four years ago.
Menopause. Once a taboo topic, the "m" word is having a moment – among celebrities, in the media, and in Washington, where President Biden recently signed an order that supports research into women's health. Dr. Sharon Malone says it's about time, and explains why understanding "the change" is critical for a woman's ability to get – and stay -- healthy.
Donald Trump regularly ends his rallies with prayer. He has repeatedly compared himself to Jesus. And last week he started selling a version of the Bible. Robert P. Jones of the Public Religion Research Institute weighs in on Trump’s growing embrace of Christianity.
Donald Trump has made cognitive ability a central issue of the presidential race. But he rarely talks about his own family's experience with dementia. The Washington Post's Michael Kranish on Fred Trump Senior's Alzheimer's disease and what voters deserve to know about a candidate's mental fitness.
Donald Trump faces a cash crunch as he struggles to pay more than half a billion dollars in legal fines. Edward Luce is U.S. editor and columnist for The Financial Times. He joins Diane to break down Trump's money problems and what these penalties could mean for him and his candidacy.