The Harsh Criticism of the IRS

The Internal Revenue Service and its components have commonly been the source of criticism for their abusive practices, lack of organization, and inept handling of various issues. Granted with 150 million tax returns a year the IRS will inevitably fall short in terms of organization or maximum efficiency, but the criticisms associated with the agency extend to its inner workings. To document all the established criticisms of the organization responsible for levying federal taxes, we will subdivide the gripes into extensive complaints.

Criticisms for managing and accounting practices

The General Accounting Office (GAO) of the United States is responsible for overseeing and evaluating the book and record keeping procedures of the Internal Revenue Service. Over the past 8 years the Internal Revenue Service has failed the audit administered by the GAO.

The GAO claimed that the Internal Revenue Service has "pervasive weaknesses in the design and operation of their financial management systems, accounting procedures, documentation, record keeping and internal controls, including security controls, which have prevented the Internal Revenue Service from reliably reporting on the results of its administrative activities."

The Internal Revenue Service possesses inadequate financial reporting procedures which result in an inability to prepare the several reliable principal financial statements.

IRS information is routinely misguided due to improper bookkeeping systems which are necessary for managing in unpaid assessments.

Much of the $300 billion in unpaid taxes results from inefficient or inept bookkeeping

There is a lack of preventive controls found in the Internal Revenue Service, causing the distribution of millions of dollars in fraudulent tax refunds.

The Internal Revenue Service routinely fails to reconcile deficiencies with the Treasury Fund as it relates to their balances.

The Internal Revenue Service fails safeguarding or reporting its property and equipment.

The computer system which holds all pertinent IRS information lacks property security, allowing unauthorized users to access, alter, or abuse IRS programs, taxpayer information, and critical data.

The Internal Revenue Service does not properly organize tax receipts and tax data which increase the taxpayer's risk of illegal disclosure of sensitive IRS information.

The budget of the Internal Revenue Service is not properly reported, accounted, or controlled.

Allegations of Abuse

The IRS Criminal Investigation Division (responsible for locating tax evaders and collecting unpaid taxes) has been accused of abusive behavior on multiple occasions.

As a result of the Internal Revenue Services power when seeking a tax evader multiple reports and cases have been filed which revolve around smear campaigns and the improper seizure of personal property.

IRS attorneys have been suspended or disbarred from practice for corruption.

The Internal Revenue Service fails to discipline lawyers or agents who participate in dishonorable practices.


Criticisms on Working for the Internal Revenue Service

For new workers the IRS information is simply too complicated and verbose to learn. As a result of this, there is very high turnover within the first year of employment.

During the training period trainees are expected to obtain massive amounts of IRS information while being paid next to nothing.

There is no room for creativity. The Internal Revenue Service is not open to new methods or ideas that would further streamline the levying process.

Among government agencies, the IRS is known for having the worst resources.

The office is micromanaged and due to size, individuality is commonly stripped.

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