The preparer effect on IRS customer satisfaction

This study summarizes an IRS database that includes over 500 Customer Satisfaction Surveys (CSS) from individual taxpayers who were field audited in 1998. Descriptive statistics are provided indicating that most taxpayers were satisfied with the audit process. Most questions on the IRS survey were associated with overall audit attitude. Two variables affecting audit attitudes were additional tax assessments and use of a paid preparer. Those owing additional taxes as a result of the audit were more likely to have a negative attitude toward the audit process. Those using a paid preparer also tended to have a more negative attitude. The paper discusses reasons why those with preparer assistance were more disappointed (e.g. IRS examiner was not knowledgeable, audit took too long, and the audit outcome was worse than expected).