I’m sure most of you have heard this one: “I’m from the federal government, and I’m here to help you.”

We get a laugh from this ironic bit of cynicism, but when it comes to income taxes, this is not something to fool around with. While we taxpayers are cautioned to take it really seriously because it could mean audits, fines, even jail time, do you ever get the feeling that the IRS treats us like we’re a piece of trash?

I was reading over a column I wrote during the 2015 tax season in which I recounted some of the major issues going on with the IRS that are still in existence today, only worse.

The IRS is still blaming budget cuts and fewer personnel, plus now there is a worldwide pandemic. If the IRS is seeking sympathy from me, it’s going to have a long wait.

The IRS has made the term “customer service” an oxymoron. The Treasury Department, which oversees the IRS, has warned us that we taxpayers will be in for another tax season from hell.

Of course, Treasury officials don’t use such crude language; that wouldn’t be diplomatic. But when we cut through all of the gobbledygook, this is what it means.

These problems are nothing new. The IRS’ funding is down nearly 20% in terms of inflation-adjusted figures since 2010. While this has happened, the nation’s population has grown, and, thanks to Congress, the tax code has become even more complex.

The agency also has been tasked with handling payments for stimulus, child care payments and COVID-related programs - a classic case of “do more with less.”

So what are we likely to expect between now and April 18, the filing deadline? According to Treasury officials, it will likely mean refund delays, service disruptions, and, God forbid, if you need to talk to a human being at the IRS. Assuming you are not disconnected because of call overloads, you would have time to write a novel comparable in size to “War and Peace” while you are on hold.

As far-fetched as it might seem, some taxpayers are still waiting for previous years’ refunds. If you’re one of them, don’t file another return for that year but do file one for 2021.

There is a real risk as these frustrating tax-filing seasons pile up. As you, I do my best to file my taxes as accurately and as timely as possible.

Historically, law-abiding taxpayers get more cynical, less law-abiding and more noncompliant.

When we can’t get the courtesy of having our basic questions answered, can’t even get through to someone to answer them, or if we can there is a chance that they will be answered incorrectly, we might take the position of saying, “Well, if you don’t care, neither do I.”

This is a prescription for real trouble. Nina E. Olson, who runs the Center for Taxpayer Rights, told The Washington Post, “If you don’t start paying attention to the needs of the bulk of the taxpayers, you’re going to have more enforcement problems down the line.”

She also said that paying for more customer service employees up front could reduce the need for more expensive, specialized auditing officials down the road.

And, oh yes, she strongly advises simplifying the tax code. Are you listening, members of Congress? How long have we been singing this song?

We deserve better, and we need to demand better performance from Congress and from one of the most important agencies of government. Finger-pointing has been going on way too long and isn’t going to cut it anymore.

By Bruce Frassinelli | tneditor@tnonline.com

The foregoing opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board or Times News LLC.