IRS: Lean staffing, strong filing-season performance

Despite a 27% staffing reduction, the IRS reports this filing season met goals, processing about 134 million individual returns and 80 million refunds with 98% filed electronically and most refunds issued within 21 days; the average refund rose to about $3,400 (up 11%). Agency officials credit digital modernization and online self-service for fewer phone calls as website traffic rose about 60%. Democrats criticized the staffing cuts and some hiccups occurred, including delays for roughly 1.5 million taxpayers and overtime pay miscalculations; the IRS plans continued tech upgrades and enforcement funding.