The Latest Breaking News from the Internal Revenue Service

Imagine investing $80 over a decade and getting a $180 return. Pretty good deal, right? Now multiply those figures by a billion dollars and you get an idea of how much American citizens will benefit from additional federal funds being allocated to the Internal Revenue Service.

WASHINGTON — It’s been easier this year to get in touch with someone at the Internal Revenue Service.

About two-thirds of all U.S. residents who file federal income taxes typically get a refund. Unfortunately, this year I am among the other third who owe the Internal Revenue Service money.

Historically, April is tax time. (We will hold briefly for boos.) But there is a silver lining. Two, actually: Most people don’t need to pay for special software to file them. And if you’re fortunate enough to be a Californian, your state and federal taxes probably aren’t due until October.