IRS data from the fifth week of the tax filing season—the week ending February 28, 2025—continues to suggest that taxpayers are not excited about filing this tax season. Numbers for tax filing and processing of tax returns remain low, a mark that has not changed throughout the filing season.
Filing and Processing Dips
Early filing data reflects a continued downturn in tax returns received compared to the prior year. The dip is 3.0% compared to last year (and almost 10% down from the same filing period in 2023).
As I noted last week, the IRS has apparently given up on excuses. After weeks of offering an explanation for the lower numbers, explaining that the agency “expects the tax return filing numbers will level out in future weeks as the April filing deadline approaches,” the IRS didn’t offer any such platitudes this week (or the last).
The IRS is currently operating on its third Commissioner in as many months—Melanie Krause is now the acting IRS Commissioner following the resignation of former Commissioner Danny Werfel and retirement of acting Commissioner Douglas O’Donnell. A Trump Administration hiring freeze at the tax agency has begun, with existing job offers being rescinded. Thousands of workers have been eliminated from their positions, with additional cuts—reportedly up to half of the agency’s full-time staff—on the way. And after Elon Musk announced that he had “deleted” Direct File, some taxpayers assumed that the free filing option was no longer operational (it is). And taxpayers have voiced concerns about the privacy their financial data after reports surfaced that Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) requested access to sensitive taxpayer data at the IRS.
The changes have resulted in confusion for some taxpayers, and apathy for others. (I’ve had more than one conversation with taxpayers this week suggesting that they believe there will be no consequences for not filing or not paying.) […]
— Read More: www.forbes.com
At Last, a Company With Integrity in the Gold IRA Industry
For several years, I’ve been vetting out precious metals companies in search of the best. I believe in gold and silver but it’s hard to find integrity in the Gold IRA industry. The vast majority operate with shady tactics and gigantic spreads that take advantage of Americans who simply want to protect their life’s savings.
I’ve found a handful that I like and I’ve worked with some of them. By no means would I “unrecommend” them because, again, I vetted them out and found them to be above the fold. Unfortunately, it isn’t hard to be better than the rest when the rest are so darn awful.
After years of searching, I finally found a company that truly operates with integrity. Augusta Precious Metals has three important attributes that set them far above the competition:
- Non-Commissioned Sales Team: I cannot stress how important and unique this is. With just about every other company in the Gold IRA industry, the sales teams make commission from every account they open. This means they steer their clients toward the gold and silver products with the highest commission. With Augusta Precious Metals, the team is solely focused on putting the best gold and silver for their clients into their IRA. They get paid to serve the best interests of the Gold IRA client, NOT their own commission pay.
- Incredibly Low Fees: Most Americans would be shocked if they knew the spread other Gold IRA companies charge. Augusta charges just 5% versus up to 45% elsewhere.
- No Pressure, No Gimmicks: There’s an understanding among most in the Gold IRA industry that fear and pressure is the way to go. Augusta Precious Metals takes a sober approach when working with clients because they hold integrity in the highest possible regard. This is why they don’t offer gimmicks like “free” or “bonus” silver. It’s also why they do not apply pressure tactics to get quick sales. Their educational and transparent approach to doing business is exceedingly rare in the Gold IRA industry.
