So… how was your summer?

I know, we’re still in August now, and back-to-school sales are taking over every store aisle. But before you fully close out Summer 2025, it’s worth looking back for just a moment.

Because a few of the things you did over these past couple of months might have tax consequences (some good, some in need of attention):

• Marriage: If you tied the knot, now’s the time to update the Social Security Administration with your name change (if applicable), and let the USPS, your employer, and the IRS know about any new address (Form 8822 is your official ticket for that).
• Summer day camp: Those receipts might be worth more than memories. Day camp costs could qualify toward the Child and Dependent Care Credit.
• Business travel: Business travel deductions come with rules, and keeping them straight matters whether you were gone for two days or two months.
• Part-time work or side gigs: Even if the paycheck was light, you might be due a refund. And if you were paid through a payment app, a 1099-K could be headed your way (though there are new rules for that, yet again).
• Home improvements: Energy-efficient upgrades (think: new HVAC, windows, or solar panels) can qualify for valuable credits (for now).

If you want to run a quick “summer tax situation review,” I can walk you through it. That way you don’t have to wade through all the IRS tax-ese. Just grab a time to chat here: link.clientstack.app/widget/service-menus/bookanappointmentnow

Or maybe, you're closing out the summer with a tax issue on your hands. Say, a missing refund, a notice from the IRS that doesn’t make sense, or a tax balance you’re sure you already paid. 

If that’s where you are right now, you need to know: getting ahold of a live human on the phone at the IRS is harder than ever right now.

Here’s why…and the game plan I recommend for winning that waiting game.

Anthony R. Mauriello, E.A.'s 
"Real World" Personal Strategy Note 
Frustrated Trying to Contact the IRS? Here’s the 2025 Playbook

“He that can have patience can have what he will.” —Benjamin Franklin

So…you’ve got to contact the IRS. Maybe it’s a missing refund, a confusing paper notice, or a tax balance you swear you’ve already paid. Whatever the reason, you need answers – and fast.

Here’s the problem: The IRS in 2025 is leaner than ever. Since January, the agency has lost over 25 percent of its total workforce.

And many of those leaving are senior specialists (the very people who handle complex cases, collections, and notices).

While, yes, the IRS has invested in new tech and tools, the real-world experience for taxpayers hasn't caught up. 

Automation is great for simple requests, but if your situation falls outside the box (and many do), getting real help is harder than ever.

So…how can you get answers when you need them? Before I give a lay of what the IRS land currently looks like right now, have you heard about Sleep Like a Baby? The coverage where correspondence that pertains to your tax return is handled by us; letters, audits...just hand it over, and we'll take care of it. We're running a sale right now where it is 50% off for Federal coverage when you supply the coupon code “SUMMER”. Back to what it may look like when trying to reach the IRS lately… 

What’s Really Happening With IRS Phones

Since January 2025, the Taxpayer Services department (call centers and processing) is down 21.6 percent, causing longer call queues and slower paper return processing.

And across all IRS phone lines combined, only about 32 percent of calls actually reach a live customer service rep. The rest either hit automation, disconnect, or get trapped in voicebots. 

If you need to call, call smart: hit the phones early (7 a.m. local time, Tuesday–Thursday). Avoid Mondays. And always be ready with your Social Security number or ITIN, filing status, prior-year return, and any IRS notices you’ve received. 

And if you can, let us, your tax pro, call for you. We have practitioner-only lines that bypass some of the bottlenecks. Typically, assistance with audits/letters can cost anywhere from $95 - $125 an hour. Our Sleep Like a Baby coverage is going for $149 currently. (Don't forget ; 50% off with code SUMMER)

Go Online Before You Call

The good news is, the IRS has invested heavily in online services recently.

So, before you call, check your IRS Online Account first. Many issues that used to require a phone call, like viewing transcripts or responding to a notice, can now be handled digitally. 

But even online, some things still hit a manual bottleneck. And when delays start compounding, that’s when most people call (and get stuck). A tax pro (hi, that’s me) helps you avoid this back-and-forth by knowing which paths actually work.

When You Need Human Help

Yes, the IRS still runs 362 Taxpayer Assistance Centers for in-person help, but:

• 239 are understaffed, and 21 are completely unstaffed.
• Almost all TACs require an appointment – walk-ins are rare.
• There are some “Taxpayer Experience Day” Saturday openings and limited pilots allowing remote TAC assistance, but access is tight.

Could you call the TAC line yourself, battle through scheduling delays, and take time off work to bring your ID, SSN card, and every scrap of IRS paperwork you have? Sure.

But let’s be honest: you don’t need to be the one wrestling with that. That’s literally what we do every day.

We don’t just call the same numbers you do. We have direct practitioner-only hotlines. That means shorter wait times. Access to more experienced IRS reps. And the ability to escalate tricky cases faster.

One recent client of ours received a balance due notice despite already having paid. He tried calling, waited on hold twice, and got nowhere. I called the practitioner line, verified a misapplied payment, and stopped a levy notice within 48 hours.

Instead of spending hours on hold, you can get updates from me, your advocate who already knows your situation.

The bottom line

If you’re dealing with an IRS issue and unsure where to start (or tired of getting nowhere fast), let’s talk. We do this every day. We know how the IRS works, what to say, and who to call. So use this link here to purchase Sleep Like a Baby half off before it's too late ; https://links.mytaxfella.com/sleep-like-a-baby-today.  

You don’t have to handle it alone. Just reach out:
https://link.clientstack.app/widget/service-menus/bookanappointmentnow 

We're not just a solution; we're your easy button for navigating a complex system.