There may never be a good time to draw the IRS’ attention, but this year you really want to avoid extra scrutiny.
The IRS is so understaffed and overwhelmed that even a tiny mistake could delay your refund for months. A return that requires “manual processing” — basically, any action by an IRS employee — could join a massive queue that started building at the beginning of the pandemic and has yet to be resolved. If something goes wrong, good luck getting through to a human: The IRS answered about 1 in 10 calls last year, down from about 1 in 3 before the pandemic, according to the National Taxpayer Advocate.
To avoid tax hassles, the best approach is to be careful, thorough and digital when you file your return.
In my latest for the Associated Press, learn the basics of electronic filing.