Hundreds Turned Away from Atlanta IRS Office as Tax Deadline Looms
As the tax filing deadline draws closer, mounting frustrations and unanswered questions are surfacing in Atlanta, where hundreds of taxpayers were turned away from the Internal Revenue Service office over the weekend. Despite lining up for hours in anticipation of last-minute assistance, many were informed they must return next month — a situation sparking public outrage and demanding accountability.
The Unfolding Chaos
In downtown Atlanta, the hubbub was palpable at the IRS tax office on Saturday. Residents arrived early in hopes of receiving free, prompt aid with their tax returns. However, shockwaves spread as, despite the increasing crowd and urgency, many found themselves being refused service and instructed to come back in over a month.
“They saw all of us here and then closed early,” a disgruntled resident noted as he recounted the incident.
A Lack of Timely Communication
Despite the IRS’s plans to hold the aid event from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., doors were abruptly closed early, resulting in overwhelming disappointment and frustration among the crowd. The lack of communication with the waiting taxpayers only salted the wound. “Nobody came out to communicate with us and let us know,” a concerned resident chided.
Atlanta police eventually arrived to break the news to the restless crowd— they would not be seen that day and were asked to return on May 18th.
The Inconvenience and Uncertainty
Many were forced to not only disrupt their schedules but also wait for hours with little to no progress. “It’s very inconvenient because this is my off day, and I’ve had to be out here since early this morning. It’s a big inconvenience for me,” one woman, who had brought her 2-month-old son, lamented.
However, they held on because they needed their identities verified in person to receive their refunds — an imperative reason compelling their presence. “You already made me miss work. I stayed in line because I had to stay here, and you tell me I can’t verify online, I got everything else but yet there’s no answers for me,” an irate man vented his frustration.
IRS’s Response
Following the uproar, the IRS issued a statement to assuage the disgruntled taxpayers. The Agency promised to add more personnel to their phone lines to address the overwhelming demand for tax assistance.
The IRS also urged taxpayers who seek help to schedule an appointment by calling a designated number. For those who might not file by the April 15 deadline, an automatic filing extension until October 15 was suggested, which can be requested via the IRS’s website.
