The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is grappling with a massive staffing shortage and outdated technology as the 2023 tax filing season kicks off. Despite receiving nearly $80 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act to revamp operations, the agency is still struggling to overcome years of underfunding. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel warns that taxpayers could experience longer wait times and potential delays in processing returns and issuing refunds. The agency aims to hire 5,000 new employees this year, but filling vacancies has been a challenge due to the tight labor market and the IRS’s lengthy hiring process. Werfel emphasizes the need for modernizing antiquated IT systems and improving customer service to restore public trust in the agency. While the funding boost is a positive step, experts caution that it will take years to fully address the IRS’s operational deficiencies and improve taxpayer experience.