Yesterday, Congressman Ruben Gallego (AZ-03) sent a letter to the IRS on behalf of the estimated 21,000 Arizonians abroad to request providing better services abroad. Click here to read the original letter. Below is the full text of the letter.
September 4, 2024
The Honorable Daniel Werfel Commissioner
Internal Revenue Service
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20224
Dear Commissioner Werfel:
I write to bring your attention to the issue of Americans filing taxes abroad. Currently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) does not allow Americans abroad to file their taxes directly with the IRS, and Americans abroad do not have access to many of the same customer service tools that the rest of the country does. Additionally, fifteen international tax attaché offices were closed in 2015, leaving Americans abroad with ever fewer options, including an estimated 21,000 Arizonans.
After hearing positive feedback from my constituents, I was pleased to see the successful rollout of the IRS’ direct file pilot program. This was the first program of its kind to enable filers to submit their taxes directly to the federal government, free of charge. An estimated 140,000 users claimed over $90 million in refunds while simultaneously saving on fees. I welcomed the news that the IRS will provide a long-term option to file taxes directly for all Americans.
However, it is critical that the IRS facilitate access to these tools for as many Americans as possible.
The closing of the international tax attaché offices greatly inhibits the ability of Americans abroad to access customer service tools that are vital to getting the most out of the new tools offered by the IRS. In the absence of international tax attachés, many Americans abroad report a lack of remote or online services available. In light of the expansion of online platforms and government services available following the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the unique complexity of filing taxes internationally, the IRS should consider providing remote counseling services, an online chat function online appointments with agents, and establishing an International Local Taxpayer Advocate to help ensure Americans abroad have access to the full range of services available to other Americans.
To that end, I respectfully request your answers to the following questions:
- Will the IRS establish a pilot program to determine demand for remote and pop- up tax attachés, in line with this year’s National Taxpayer Advocate report to Congress?
- Will the IRS add Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion) to Direct File for the 2025 tax filing season which would expand access to an estimated 9 million Americans abroad?
- Given the IRS completely rejected 6 out of 15 recommendations from the National Taxpayer Advocate's 2023 Report to Congress, what, if anything, is the IRS doing to specifically address the lack of services for this underserved population?
- What resources can Congress provide to help facilitate the expansion of services for international filers?
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. I look forward to continuing to work with the IRS to help make the process of filing taxes more affordable and accessible for all Americans.
Sincerely,
Ruben Gallego
MEMBER OF CONGRESS