National Taxpayer Advocate Releases Annual Report to Congress, Says IRS Provides "Unacceptable" Customer Service

National Taxpayer Advocate Nina E. Olson today released her 2009 Annual Report to Congress, which lists the twenty most serious problems encountered by taxpayers (as required by § 7803(c)(2)(B)(ii)(III)).

• Volume One:
  • Section 1:  Preface, Table of Contents and the Most Serious Problems Encountered by Taxpayers
  • Section 2:  Legislative Recommendations
  • Section 3:  The Most Litigated Issues
  • Section 4:  Case Advocacy
  • Section 5:  Appendices
• Volume Two:  Research and Related Studies
• Executive Summary
• IRS News Release

Press and blogosphere coverage:

• Associated Press, Want Tax Help? IRS Offers Busy Signal to 3 in 10
• Bloomberg, IRS Lien Procedures Ineffective, Harm Taxpayers, Report Says  
• CNN, Taxpayer Advocate to IRS: Don't Lien Too Heavily
• New York Times, Taxpayer Advocate Faults I.R.S. on Collecting Delinquent Taxes
• USA Today, Want Tax Help? Lots of Luck Calling the IRS, Advocate Says
• Wall Street Journal, Watchdog Warns IRS Is Overburdened
• Washington Post, Report Shows IRS Has "Unacceptable" Customer Service 
• Web CPA, Taxpayer Advocate Pushes for Fewer Tax Liens
• Washington Times, IRS Sets Low Bar for Service on its Taxpayer Help Line