Recently, the IRS announced new voice and chatbot tools to assist with simple collection questions, faster service, and reduced wait times.
IRS Tools for Taxpayers
In early March 2022, the IRS published an announcement that they have begun using voice and chatbots on two of its telephone assistance lines and on their website. They’ve rolled out these new technologies to help cut down on wait times and to assist with the high demand and volume of phone calls they receive day to day and year over year.
This enables taxpayers with simple questions to get answers quickly, which also helps keep calls short, and IRS representatives free to assist other callers with more complex issues and questions.
Currently, the chatbots are assisting with helping taxpayers figure out how to make one-time payments, answering frequently asked questions, and clarifying collection notice questions and concerns.
AI-driven software also can be found in the English and Spanish voice options that allow callers to work their own way through a voice response system that simulates human conversation and directs callers to the right resources or representatives.
There are also voice and chatbot-related solutions in place to assist people with the Advance Child Tax Credit and Economic Impact Payment (EIP) programs.
New Online and Tech-Based Solutions & Requirements for Tax Filing
Throughout the last several months, eFile360 has continued to share the latest updates on this and future tax seasons, including how and when your tax filing will need to be pushed to electronic methods. And more and more, the IRS wants you to do things electronically wherever possible.
For example, for the 2022 tax season, the threshold for Affordable Care Act Forms has dropped and will drop again next year. Previously, if you had more than 250 ACA forms to file, you had to do so electronically. This year, that number dropped to 100, and for 2023 that number will drop to just 10 forms.
And in January, IRS Publication 1220 for the tax year 2021 stated that if your business has to file 250 or more of the following forms, you must do so electronically:
- 1097
- 1098
- 1099
- 3921
- 3922
- 5498
- W-2G
As of right now, there are no plans to change that 250-form threshold, but with the emergence of new and better technology and the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, it wouldn’t be surprising if the IRS updated those numbers for the 2022 or 2023 tax year.
More IRS Tools & Tax-Filing Technology Coming Soon
Later this year, the IRS expects to update their voice bots to enable taxpayers to authenticate their identity, establish payment plans, request transcripts and other account information, and other more complex issues.
Combining Taxes & Tech: eFile360’s Specialty
Technology is the best way to stay on track for the future of your business. That’s why eFile360 offers hassle-free information return filing, via e-file, print, and mail methods. As more and more IRS updates show the importance of using technology and electronic filing and reporting methods, it’s important that you have the right tools in place to get the job done for you in an accurate and efficient manner.
eFile260 is here to assist you with your 1099, 1098, ACA, and W-2 forms, organization, and storage. We offer bulk pricing and access to professionals when you are having trouble finding what you need or e-filing your forms. You can also store your forms and access them at any point in the year, not just during tax season.
Sign up for a free eFile360 account today to help speed up your forms filing process.