The IRS is a little "kinder" this season

Source: Columbus Dispatch

Wednesday, January 7, 2009 3:03 AM

Taxpayers could encounter a kinder, gentler Internal Revenue Service this tax season.

IRS employees have been instructed to be more flexible and understanding with taxpayers this year, Commissioner Douglas Shulman said during a conference call yesterday.

"This is clearly a difficult economic time for the country," Shulman said. "This is a time where government leaders need to be mindful of the challenges citizens are facing."

That directive will be played out in specific ways. Many of the changes focus on people who owe back taxes and are struggling to make payments.

In the past, taxpayers who paid back taxes through an installment plan were considered to have defaulted if they missed a payment. That's not necessarily the case this year.

Now, IRS workers have greater authority to suspend collections when the taxpayer has lost his or her job or faces significant medical bills.

"Our people have been instructed to work with taxpayers and understand their individual circumstances," Shulman said.

In another scenario, those owing taxes but who have equity in their homes might get a break.

A new unit has been created to review so-called offers in compromise, which allow a taxpayer to settle a debt with the IRS for less than the full amount owed.

wow what nice guys they're gonna try and be lenient on those who have lost their jobs or have large medical bills......ummmm isn't that something they should USUALLY do at ALL times?!? Now would be the time to take is easy on the people WITH jobs and DON'T have large medical bills, that way they can do better for themselves THEREBY doing better by the economy and help everyone to help those who are in more trouble than the rest? It seems more logical than JUST being reasonable with those whom they should be more reasonable with in the the FIRST PLACE.