Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen told U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer the agency closed its Jefferson City tax office last month because its one employee currently is in the middle of basic training.
The office, located at 3702 W. Truman Blvd., has been closed since Jan. 25 and is to remain closed through Friday.
Luetkemeyer, R-St. Elizabeth, last week sent Koskinen a letter asking why the office had been closed for more than two weeks and what the plan was for re-opening it.
"After seven days of waiting for a response from the IRS Commissioner, I am not satisfied with the letter I received," the congressman said in a Wednesday news release.
"I am glad the employee will be knowledgeable on IRS issues, but the training should have taken place weeks ago, before the midst of the tax season - and with the funds the IRS is allocated, I believe it is appropriate to add at least an additional employee."
Luetkemeyer said Koskinen suggested taxpayers seeking information from the local IRS office use the agency's toll-free 800 number.
"However," Luetkemeyer noted, "he failed to mention that only 38 percent of callers ever get through to talk to a representative - and they are usually on hold for an average of 30 minutes.
"That is totally unacceptable when Congress (gave) the IRS additional funds in the last fiscal year."
Luetkemeyer last week complained the temporary closing left Mid-Missourians 120 miles away from the closest tax office at a time when many are trying to get the forms needed for filing income tax reports and often have questions about taxes that are answered best during a face-to-face meeting.
"Taxpayers in Mid-Missouri deserve more than this," Luetkemeyer said in his Wednesday statement. "On-the-ground assistance is essential to seniors, low-income individuals and rural residents in my district."