Union assails IRS cutback plans

WASHINGTON, April 5 (UPI) -- The leader of a federal union said Tuesday a plan to cut back Internal Revenue Service walk-in and telephone customer services is short-sighted.

The National Treasury Employees Union says such a move would eliminate the jobs of approximately 700 IRS employees whose duty is to assist taxpayers.

The union's president, Colleen Kelley, said the plan by the IRS to close a significant number of its Taxpayer Assistance Centers, or TACs, "will result not only in reduced services to taxpayers, but will contribute to a serious decline in compliance with the nation's tax laws."

TACs are located in cities and towns across the United States and provide taxpayers with the opportunity to meet in person with a professional IRS employee who can answer tax questions and provide forms and other background material, she said.

The union also says the IRS is planning to close three of its call sites located in Boston, Houston, and Chicago.

The IRS suggested private tax assistance programs using volunteers can fill the void that will be created by the cutbacks, the union said.