Finally, IRS Ends Unhelpful Ten Transcripts Per Call Limit

Perhaps you have noticed that it is often impossible to get through to the IRS on its Practitioner Priority Line. Lately, it has not been uncommon for the IRS to simply disconnect callers due to “extremely high call volume.” If you do finally get through you might be told that there is a hold time of “more than 60 minutes.” Assuming that, after your hold time, you finally get through to an IRS representative to discuss a client’s account and request transcripts—I have been disconnected after waiting over 60 minutes—you are undoubtedly disappointed when an IRS representative tells you that you are limited to only 10 transcripts. Many cases, especially employment tax cases, often require review of many more than just 10 transcripts.

This week, the IRS announced (link) a sensible and helpful increase to 30 transcripts per client per phone call. That is right, the IRS is also allowing practitioners to discuss up to five clients per call and request up to 150 transcripts (30 per client, up to 5 clients) per call. This is a welcome change.

Transcripts included in the 30-transcripts-per-client limit include:


Other transcripts not listed above are still limited to 10 transcripts per call.

We hope these changes will free up the IRS phone lines and reduce IRS hold times.

If you would like to discuss this post or any other criminal or civil tax matter, please contact me at 214-749-2417 or email me at jglassman@meadowscollier.com.