KoskinenJohn Koskinen revealed the startling statistic during a speech at the National Press Club . He says budget cuts have forced the IRS to pare back its staff numbers , leaving tax return filers largely on their own . Agency has already cried poor this year , complaining that it lacks the manpower to conduct as many audits as in past years . But the IRS paid out $ 5.8 billion in fake tax refunds to identity thieves in 2013 , the most recent year for which numbers are available . Americans have a hate-hate relationship with the agency : 'The IRS code is longer than the Bible , ' John Koskinen admitted , 'with none of the good news '
John Koskinen revealed the startling statistic during a speech at the National Press Club . He says budget cuts have forced the IRS to pare back its staff numbers , leaving tax return filers largely on their own . Agency has already cried poor this year , complaining that it lacks the manpower to conduct as many audits as in past years . But the IRS paid out $ 5.8 billion in fake tax refunds to identity thieves in 2013 , the most recent year for which numbers are available . Americans have a hate-hate relationship with the agency : 'The IRS code is longer than the Bible , ' Koskinen admitted , 'with none of the good news '