IRS Wants 6% Raise

Some lawmakers may be hearing the IRS' cries for help. Senate appropriators have recommended giving the agency a 6 percent increase in funding. They say the money would restore two years of severe cuts to services and enforcement. The agency has cut about 5,000 positions. An IRS oversight board report shows more calls to the agency's toll-free help line go unanswered. The Senate subcommittee recommendation is much more than the House has approved, but 2 percent less than the IRS had requested.