It is hard to imagine an organization with access to more sensitive information than the IRS. The IRS has our social security numbers, our income information, family information, and much more. Given this reality, one would expect that the IRS goes to great lengths to safeguard this information – right?
The last thing any small business owner wants to do is spend time dealing with the IRS. Unfortunately, IRS disputes can be stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. And if you own a small business, the last thing you need in your life is more stress and more expense!
The Federal government is shut down, and polls show that most Americans are disgusted with Washington DC in general. But one possible silver lining for many taxpayers was “at least the IRS is closed down!” Unfortunately, while it is true that many IRS employees are staying home during the shutdown, key deadlines remain unchanged. Taxes are still due, and to make matters worse, IRS agents aren’t available to offer support or provide key information.
Believe it or not, recent reports have indicated that the IRS has actually collected less revenue through audits and other “enforcement” activities in recent years. Of course, that doesn’t mean an IRS audit or tax dispute is any less painful or costly, as anyone who has had the misfortune of going through an audit can attest.
Most of us know by now that identity theft is a serious threat. In today’s age of electronic information, and electronic banking in particular, an identity thief can do an incredible amount of damage in a short period of time.
As a small business owner, among the last items you would like to find in your mailbox is a notice from the IRS. And yet, small business owners across the country are going to be receiving exactly those.
If you’ve ever dealt with an IRS audit or dispute, you know exactly how demanding the agency can be of taxpayers. In fact, if you have even filed a tax return you are familiar with the detailed information you are required to provide to the agency.
And it stands to reason that an agency which demands such precision from taxpayers would be ultra-organized themselves… right?
2013 has been a historically difficult year for the IRS. There have been a number of “minor” scandals involving the agency, such as the accidental posting of thousands of taxpayer social security numbers on the internet which happened several weeks ago. (Obviously this could only be called a “minor” mishap in a very bad year.)
It has not been a good year for the IRS so far. The agency has faced intense scrutiny from the media, from politicians on both sides of the political aisle, and from the public as reports of improper, politically motivated actions were revealed.
The IRS is far from perfect. Anyone who didn’t realize that in years past has certainly learned otherwise this year, as IRS scandal after IRS scandal has dominated the news headlines.