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IRS gets soaked

The Internal Revenue Service is shutting down. But, alas, not for good. Marketplace's Hillary Wicai reports that the East Coast floods have washed out the taxman — but just temporarily.

TEXT OF STORY

TESS VIGELAND: New York Governor George Pataki says this week’s flooding has caused at least a hundred million dollars worth of damage to his state. Parts of Pennsylvania have been declared disaster areas. In Washington the cleanup is just beginning for one government agency. The Internal Revenue Service is shutting down its headquarters for at least a month. Go ahead… smirk… But don’t think this changes ANYTHING. Here’s Marketplace’s Hillary Wicai.


HILARY WICAI: They say what comes around goes around. The IRS flooded you with paperwork for years. Now it’s actually flooded. The sub-basement at IRS headquarters had as much as 20 feet of water in it. Could that be a tax holiday floating our way?

TOM OCHSENSCHLAGER: “It’s not going to change any tax dates, I’ll guarantee you that.”

Tom Ochsenschlager is with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

OCSHSENSCHLAGER:“Because, the office that’s closed down here is their national office whicha€¦sets policy.”

But surely this will slow down the guys who audit right? Terry Lemmons is with the IRS.

TERRY LEMMONS: Most of our key enforcement personnel work in other areas across the country, so that won’t have an impact on our day-to-day operations involving auditing. The tax system continues on.”

The IRS has been busy finding alternative work sites, and setting up some of its 2,400 effected workers at home.

In Washington, I’m Hillary Wicai for Marketplace.

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