The IRS boosted taxpayer services through Democrats’ Inflation Reduction Act but still faces processing claims from a coronavirus pandemic-era tax credit program and is slow to resolve certain identity theft cases,

The annual report by the agency’s national taxpayer advocate also flagged ongoing problems with the troubled Employee Retention Credit.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has made significant improvements in taxpayer services, largely due to funding from the Inflation Reduction Act, yet continues to struggle with a backlog of claims related to a coronavirus pandemic-era tax credit program and delays in resolving certain identity theft cases,

Although tax season doesn't officially begin until later this month, IRS Free File will open to millions of eligible taxpayers this Friday, Jan. 10. The guided tax prep software allows individuals with an adjusted gross income of $84,000 or less to prepare and file their 2024 federal tax returns at no cost.

The Internal Revenue Service will be offering a Free File tool starting Friday to assist taxpayers ahead of the official start of tax season.