TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORT REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA Tax Administration Diagnostic Assessment Tool Performance Assessment Report AUGUST 2025 Prepared By Michael Hardy, Patrik Berglund, Philippe Rousset, Telita Snyckers, and Graham Whyte Authoring Department Fiscal Affairs Department |1 ©2026 International Monetary Fund The contents of this report constitute technical advice provided by the staff of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to the authorities of the Republic of Armenia (the "TA recipient") in respons ...

"Paper refunds are more susceptible to loss, theft and fraud, and once compromised, they can trigger a long and stressful resolution process for the affected taxpayer," according to the National Taxpayer Advocate's blog in October.During the 2025 filing season, about 94% of individual taxpayers provided their direct deposit information on their Form 1040, according to a National Taxpayer Advocate blog posted in October. But many people still received paper checks, which can trigger their own problems.Millio ...

IRS Operations & Impact of Government Shutdown - The IRS is facing operational disruptions due to the government shutdown, with over 34,000 federal workers furloughed [1] - The shutdown is causing delays in IRS operations, including processing refund checks and conducting audits [4][5] - The delays affect taxpayers, especially the approximately 20 million Americans who filed tax extensions [3] IRS Staffing & Workforce Issues - The IRS experienced staffing challenges prior to the shutdown, including resignations, terminations, and senior staff departures [6][7] - The agency had multiple changes in leadership, with seven different commissioners in the past year, creating uncertainty among employees [11][12] - Furloughed IRS employees face financial difficulties due to unpaid bills and limited alternative employment options [8][9] Potential Long-Term Consequences - The government shutdown could lead to long-term financial consequences for federal workers, such as taking out loans or depleting savings [10] - There are concerns about potential mass firings and political influence within the IRS, adding to employee uncertainty [11][12]