Tax Updates - IRS announces 2025-2026 per diem rates for taxpayers who travel for business [1]

IRS Leadership & Operations - The IRS faces volatility with six different leaders in the first 10 months of the current administration [2] - The absence of an established deputy commissioner to manage daily operations adds to the instability [2] - Clarity in problem-solving roles and access to decision-makers are crucial for smooth operations and better customer service [6] - Delays in problem-solving within the IRS can lead to longer wait times and increased stress for taxpayers [7] Revenue & Tax Collection - The tax gap, representing the difference between taxes owed and paid, amounts to $700 billion annually [10] - A less effective IRS could lead to an increase in the tax gap [11] - A weaker IRS may result in reduced customer service and a shift in the tax burden to those who comply with the rules [12] Customer Service - The IRS functions largely as a customer service organization, assisting taxpayers with various issues [5] - Solving problems efficiently within the IRS can reduce wait times and improve overall customer service [7]

Government Spending & Shutdown Costs - Government shutdowns can cost taxpayers money [1] - A 2013 shutdown led to an estimated $10 million loss due to uncollected fees and charges [2] - Back pay to furloughed employees during the 2013 shutdown amounted to $25 billion [2] Discretionary vs Mandatory Spending - Congress controls approximately $18 trillion in discretionary funding for fiscal year 2024 [3] - Mandatory programs like Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid cost $41 trillion in the same fiscal year [3] - Interest payments alone totaled $881 billion [3] Economic Impact - Shutdowns can be quite expensive for American taxpayers due to their impact on the economy [3]

Financial Risk - A $20 billion lifeline from the Trump administration to Argentina could pose risks for US taxpayers [1]

Government Spending & Efficiency - Taxpayers saved tens of billions of dollars since January [1] - USAID is officially in close out mode [1] Agency Restructuring - A small set of core programs moved over to the State Department [1] - Russ Vought is now overseeing the closeout of USAID [1]

Government Services & Technology - IRS kiosks, designed for taxpayer self-service, are outdated and broken [1]

Government & Technology - IRS kiosks, designed for taxpayer self-service, are outdated and broken [1]

A growing number of blue cities and states across the country, from Washington state to Rhode Island, are looking at ways to wring more revenue from their richest taxpayers https://t.co/c0RsjHNyRI ...

Tax Policy Change - The One Big Beautiful Bill ACT (OBBBA) allows some taxpayers to benefit more from the state and local tax deduction, known as SALT [1] - Experts are analyzing who will benefit and who will not from this new change related to SALT deductions [1]

Government & Policy - Treasury Department 和规模缩减的 IRS 面临“完美风暴”，因为纳税人和雇主寻求关于 Trump 的“Big Beautiful Bill”的细节 [1]