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IRS stops surprise visits to taxpayers’ homes after decades.

IRS Ends Unannounced Revenue ⁢Officer Visits to Taxpayers: ​Major Change to Enhance Safety and ‌Reduce Anxiety

The Internal ⁤Revenue Service (IRS) made a significant announcement ‌on Monday, declaring that it would‌ no longer send federal agents ​to taxpayer homes without prior notice. This ‌decision was made due to safety concerns for both the employees and​ the taxpayers⁤ involved.

“These visits created extra anxiety for‌ taxpayers already wary of ⁣potential scam artists,” IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said in ‍a news release. “At the same⁣ time, ‌the uncertainty around what IRS employees faced when⁢ visiting ​these homes​ created ⁢stress for ‍them as well.”

Unscheduled⁤ visits to households and businesses have been a ⁢practice of the IRS since⁣ the 1950s, aimed ‍at collecting unpaid taxes and resolving unfiled tax returns. However, due to increased security concerns and the rise of fraudsters posing as IRS agents, the agency has decided ⁤to put an end‍ to these ‍in-person visits.

“This is the right thing to do and ⁣the right time to end⁢ it,” ‍Werfel added.

According ⁤to IRS officials, federal tax agents were assaulted hundreds of times a ​year over 30 years ago, making⁤ them the most-attacked⁢ federal law ⁤enforcement officers. Recognizing ⁢the‍ challenges faced by these agents, the IRS believes that⁢ eliminating this duty ⁣could attract more qualified individuals to join the agency.

The IRS has replaced most ‍unannounced visits with appointment ⁢letters to schedule follow-up ‍face-to-face meetings.⁢ While taxpayers may no‍ longer see ⁤the taxman unexpectedly ‍at their​ doorstep, limited unscheduled visits may still occur in​ rare ​instances involving summonses, subpoenas, or ⁣sensitive ⁣enforcement activities.

This announcement coincides with the creation of ⁣the IRS Strategic Operating Plan, which aims to transform the federal⁣ service⁢ and double the size​ of ⁣its workforce following⁣ the‍ passage of⁣ the Inflation Reduction Act last year.

Earlier this ⁣year, the⁢ IRS⁢ also made headlines ‍by announcing its intention to hire agents qualified to ⁢carry firearms for the agency’s‍ Criminal Unit.

Candidates for⁢ the ‌special ⁢agent position, the only job ⁣at ‌the IRS where employees are permitted to ⁤carry guns,⁤ will be expected to combine their “accounting skills with law enforcement ⁣skills to investigate financial crimes,” according to a posting ​on the IRS website.

Adam Andrzejewski, Founder and CEO of Open ⁤the Books, a database⁤ capturing disclosed government spending, discovered that the IRS spent $35.2 million⁤ on guns, ammunition, and military-style equipment ⁤in the last 20 years. This includes $10 million in⁢ weaponry and⁤ gear since 2020. Andrzejewski expressed concern over the increasing‌ militarization of the IRS.

The⁢ IRS’s⁣ decision also comes after ‍independent journalist Matt Taibbi ⁤revealed that an IRS official visited his home on the same day he ⁤testified‌ before Congress about the ‍weaponization of the federal government. Taibbi’s tax ‌returns were subsequently rejected over identity theft concerns.

Republican House Judiciary lawmakers celebrated‍ the IRS announcement as a ⁣”BIG ‌WIN!” after Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH)⁤ raised the issue during a‍ hearing earlier this year.

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