CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — News of firings and potential changes within the Internal Revenue Service have reportedly caused some anxiety among taxpayers, according to local tax preparation professionals.
“I’ve had quite a bit of anxiety from my clients over the past few days,” said Crystal Wilson with Crystal Clear Tax, a Charlotte-based tax preparation service. “One yesterday reached out to me asked for my perspective, because (they) need to file an extension, but they’re worried about (how this) is going to (affect) ay potential refund they get.”
Wilson noted the while the calls run in line with the usual ones they get during tax season, it has not meant added stress for her. She said the issues will not be with tax preparers, but with the changes in the IRS itself.
“It’s business as usual for me. I deal with taxpayer stress on a daily basis. I have a year round firm, so I’m used to anxieties,” Wilson said. “There’s a lot of anxiety about taxes generally, so this only adds to it. But from my perspective, I’m not anxious about it because I am doing what I do every day.”
News of firings within the IRS have added to the anxiety for taxpayers. Reports of thousands of workers being let go or in he process of being fired have led to calls about whether people would get their returns, questions on whether people should file at all, and questions on how other Trump administration proposals could affect taxes.
The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents IRS workers, called the firings a “recipe for economic disaster.”
Their statement in full:
In the middle of a tax filing season, when taxpayers expect prompt customer service and smooth processing of their tax returns, the administration has chosen to decimate the whole operation by sending dedicated civil servants to the unemployment lines. These layoffs are arbitrary and unlawful, and NTEU will keep fighting until every wrongful termination is reversed. It is especially devastating that removing probationary employees impacts so many young people who chose to start their career in public service. They passed the IRS’ extensive background checks, received extensive training at taxpayer expense, delivering for the American people, and are now being told they are no longer valued. Much of the IRS workforce is outside of the Washington D.C. area, which means these layoffs are disrupting their local economies and hurting middle-income families in every state. We have multiple legal challenges now pending over the administration’s mass layoffs and other attacks on federal workers because of the severe damage that is being done to civil servants and the valuable services their agencies are tasked by Congress to provide.
National Treasury Employees Union
For those that cannot escape anxiety surrounding the IRS uncertainty, Wilson noted filing sooner can help.
“If you want to get a refund and you feel like you’re going to get a refund, go ahead and file your taxes,” said Wilson. “E-file, double check with your tax preparer the accuracy of your return. Do everything that you need to do to avoid any potential delays and also do not bank on getting a refund for your day to day expenses.”
