CUE WORLD’S SMALLEST VIOLIN: IRS Needs Funding for GOP Tax Overhaul, Report Says.

The tax agency needs to update forms, create new definitions, write regulations and field questions from taxpayers, which tend to increase when Congress passes new laws. That will be challenging for the IRS, which is planning to answer just 60% of taxpayer calls during the tax-filing season and has cut its training budget by 75% since 2009, said Nina Olson, the national taxpayer advocate.

“We have already seen confusion about withholding changes, confusion about the deductibility of prepaid property taxes, and confusion about whether states can allow taxpayers to make charitable contributions in lieu of taxes as a way of permitting their residents to claim larger tax deductions,” Ms. Olson said as she released her annual report Wednesday on challenges facing taxpayers and the IRS. “With more funding, strong leadership, and a closer working relationship with Congress, I am convinced the IRS can do the job well.”

It’s far from clear, however, whether Congress will provide the IRS with additional money to implement the new tax system.

Maybe the IRS could find some extra money by disbanding its SWAT team and getting its agents to pay their taxes.

Until then, cry me a river.