National Taxpayer Advocate Issues 2026 Mid-Year Report to Congress

Summary

National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins released her Fiscal Year 2027 Objectives Report to Congress on June 24, 2026, assessing the 2026 filing season as largely successful. The IRS processed nearly 139 million individual returns and issued over 90 million refunds while implementing extensive tax law changes. However, the report flags persistent issues: slow telephone response times, identity theft case backlogs, and uneven service for non-English speakers. The mid-year review serves as a key benchmark for IRS performance and taxpayer experience.

Sources

• Internal Revenue Service — National Taxpayer Advocate issues 2026 mid-year report to Congress — https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/national-taxpayer-advocate-issues-2026-mid-year-report-to-congress

Our Take

For cross-border Canada/US filers, the 139 million return figure is encouraging—it signals that IRS processing capacity is stabilizing after years of pandemic-era delays. Faster refund cycles benefit dual-status filers who often rely on refunds to offset cross-border compliance costs. But the service gaps flagged in the report hit non-resident US taxpayers hardest: they can’t easily walk into a TAC or call toll-free from Canada. The takeaway? Set up an IRS Online Account, use direct deposit, and work with a CPA who can handle both CRA and IRS correspondence efficiently.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and does not constitute tax advice; it should not substitute professional tax counsel. Please consult a licensed CPA for advice specific to your situation.