Gentler, Kinder IRS?

[Burke]

Wow. I am impressed. Client recently had occasion to request a Form 6166 which is a tax certification form the IRS (Philadelphia office) issues so that foreign monies can be paid to a US resident without income tax withholding. It was taking a while, so we inquired by fax, and got a phone call within 2 days from a very personable, extremely helpful employee (sounded like an older man) who advised there was an error on the form and to send the corrected info by fax asap. We did, and then got another phone call a few weeks later that he had approved it on such and such date and it was referred to the printing office on X date, and we should be receiving it next week. Since I had gotten involved, I apologized for the error and "all the trouble" and he was adamant that it was no trouble at all, that's what they were there for, to be of assistance and anytime we had a problem, just call & they would be glad to help, yada, yada, yada. As I said, Wow.

[Golden Rocket]

Most of them

I will chime in to those who say we should "abolish the IRS". If we could do this, what would arise in its place? The dreaded FBT (Federal Bureau of Taxation), or the arrogant REA (Revenue Enhancement Agency)?. What about the hated TAB (Taxpayer Assistance Bureau)?

Some 75% of the IRS personnel with whom I have contact are courteous, fair-minded, and display a helpful attitude. Many of them express the same frustrations in dealing with the huge agency as we do, as the sheer size, structure, policies, inefficiency of the agency prevent them from getting information or being able to act. Very few of them are authorized to take the bull by the horns and make anything happen.

A couple times, I have had an angry client call his USCongressman, or Senator. If one of those ever gets involved, be assured that the machinery of the IRS will slow to a halt. The IRS employees are even slower and more deliberate to act, and have to get high-level approval for everything they do. As far as I'm concerned, invoking a legislator is the remedy of last resort.

[ChEAr$]

Wow. I am impressed. Client recently had occasion to request a Form 6166 which is a tax certification form the IRS (Philadelphia office) issues so that foreign monies can be paid to a US resident without income tax withholding. It was taking a while, so we inquired by fax, and got a phone call within 2 days from a very personable, extremely helpful employee (sounded like an older man) who advised there was an error on the form and to send the corrected info by fax asap. We did, and then got another phone call a few weeks later that he had approved it on such and such date and it was referred to the printing office on X date, and we should be receiving it next week. Since I had gotten involved, I apologized for the error and "all the trouble" and he was adamant that it was no trouble at all, that's what they were there for, to be of assistance and anytime we had a problem, just call & they would be glad to help, yada, yada, yada. As I said, Wow.

And so am I impressed that you evidently got the same gentleman I had to pleasure of talking with maybe two years ago. Your description of him fits to a tee.
This to be contrasted with an upptiy type at Ben Salem (actually Philadelphia?) who when I made an innocent (I thought ) joke, she took offense and thought I was making fun of her.