More Bad Press for IRS Outsourcing
The New York Times picked up on the IRS tax collection privatization story yesterday, with a headline that doesn't exactly mince words: "Taxpayer Advocate Says Outsourcing at I.R.S. Is Inept."
This, of course, isn't the first time that the taxpayer advocate, Nina Olson, has raised concerns about the IRS effort to use private debt collection firms. But this kind of mainstream media attention to the issue may put the program in jeopardy, especially if it becomes a factor in the confirmation hearings of Douglas H. Shulman, whose nomination to head the agency is pending in the Senate.
Update: Oops. As I should have known, Shulman already has had his confirmation hearing. In fact, the Senate approved his nomination early this morning.
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Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
Thanks for keeping the heat on this tax collection program. These private debt collectors are going after accounts that are uncollectible and/or are already repaying IRS. They disregard inquiries from the debtor about due process and disposable income standards for repayment calculation. The debtors end up using Taxpayer Advocate service to get back to their original IRS agreement. These contractors are taking their 25% from clients who are already paying IRS. How do I know? I'm one of the people who was making payments and suddenly found part of my pension seized without due process. The contractor kept sending letters asking for 45 more days to review my case. I first contacted them in September and still have no resolution. I never had that problem with the IRS field agents. They responded in a week.
anthony weishar Posted Monday, March 17, 2008 6:49 AMAnother example of another media outlet that reports the press release and not the record. Olsen's appeals for Congressional support and justification are worrisome enough - she has proven to be anything but apolitical - but when will the interests of the taxpayer superceed the interests of the bureaucracy? The New York Times - now there's a disinterested media outlet. Oh, somebody screwed up the publication schedule.
DC Fed Posted Monday, March 17, 2008 9:27 AMStop selling/renting our government to private companies! Tax returns are the MOST sensitive records that people have, next to medical ones. Hire more federal workers, train them properly, and expect competent work, don't give out SSN's, bank account info. to people who may quit tomorrow and take this stuff with them. It has been shown time and time again that privatization of government functions costs more, and is not better quality work. Stop this nonsense.
ChristmasTree Posted Monday, March 17, 2008 1:35 PM