U.S. Representative David Schweikert said on April 27 that taxpayers should not spend hours on hold with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) just to figure out the status of their refund or why they got a letter, according to his official X account as the House passed H.R. 7971, the Taxpayer Experience Improvement Act he sponsored. The measure advanced from the Ways and Means Committee earlier in the session and received bipartisan support before reaching the floor, according to congressional records.
The topic is significant as IRS telephone lines saw average wait times increase significantly in early fiscal 2026 periods, with some service lines exceeding 18 minutes. Taxpayers frequently contact the agency for refund status updates or clarification on notices received particularly during peak filing seasons. These delays have prompted ongoing congressional focus on service enhancements, according to Tax Notes.
Schweikert said, “We all carry a supercomputer in our pocket. My bill directs the agency to finally use that technology, giving taxpayers private, secure access to their own information before they ever have to pick up the phone. Taxpayers spend less time trapped on hold and get answers faster.”
The Internal Revenue Service receives millions of phone inquiries annually with performance tracked through metrics such as level of service and average speed of answer. Recent data shows fluctuations in these indicators amid varying call volumes. Modernization efforts continue to address service demands through technology integration, according to FedScoop.
Schweikert has represented Arizona’s First Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013. The Republican previously served as Maricopa County Treasurer and in the Arizona State Legislature where he focused on fiscal accountability and economic issues. Schweikert serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and chairs its Oversight Subcommittee, according to his official biography.
