IRS Answered 19% of 2.4 Million Identity Theft Calls as 500,000 Cases Remained Pending
Updated
Updated · The Center Square · Jun 25
IRS Answered 19% of 2.4 Million Identity Theft Calls as 500,000 Cases Remained Pending
3 articles · Updated · The Center Square · Jun 25
Summary
Only 19% of roughly 2.4 million calls to the IRS Taxpayer Protection Program were answered during the filing season, with average hold times of 20 minutes for taxpayers whose returns were frozen over suspected identity theft.
More than 500,000 identity theft cases were still pending at season's end, and affected taxpayers waited nearly 20 months on average for resolution.
Across the broader filing season, the IRS processed nearly 139 million returns but suspended more than 14 million during processing; over 1 million taxpayers then waited an average of 5.5 weeks for refunds.
Erin Collins said the IRS performed better than expected overall but warned that taxpayers needing help still struggled to get it, arguing a digital-first strategy must not become digital-only.
The agency is seeking $15.9 billion for fiscal 2027, including $9.8 billion in discretionary funding, while the Taxpayer Advocate requested at least $251.6 million for its own operations.
With 500,000 victims facing two-year waits, what is the hidden economic toll of the IRS identity theft crisis on American families?
As the IRS champions a digital future, why are human-centric problems like identity theft resolution getting dramatically worse?
IRS Struggles to Resolve 484,000 Identity Theft Cases Amid 19-Month Average Delays
Overview
As of June 2026, the IRS faces a growing crisis, with hundreds of thousands of identity theft victims experiencing long delays in resolving their cases. This backlog causes significant hardship, as many taxpayers wait for critical refunds, leading to financial and emotional stress. The process is difficult and time-consuming, making it hard for victims to regain stability. Systemic challenges within the IRS, such as outdated systems and operational inefficiencies, further slow down case resolution. These delays not only increase frustration but also highlight the urgent need for improvements in how the IRS handles identity theft cases.