Why Your IRS Case Will Take Longer Than You Think

What do Hofstadter's Law and tax resolution have in common? More than you'd think.

The Law

Hofstadter's Law says that a task always takes longer than expected, even when taking Hofstadter's Law into account.

Tax Reality

This couldn't be more true for tax controversy and resolution. According to IRS Appeals, the average time to resolve a case was 365 days. Some large, complex cases average 863 days until resolution!

So when clients ask about timelines, I often say, "it'll probably take longer than you expect to resolve your IRS issue."

What Works

As with most things in life, patience and persistence are critical to success.

Here's the bottom line: IRS cases take time. A full year on average, and sometimes more than two years for complex situations. Knowing this upfront helps you prepare mentally and strategically.

The key is staying the course. Don't get discouraged by the timeline. Stay patient, stay persistent, and keep working toward resolution.

If you're facing an IRS issue, reach out to discuss your situation and set realistic expectations from the start.