500k IRS fraud cases backlogged, watchdog says

(CNN)– In a letter to Congress, the National Taxpayer Advocate is criticizing the Internal Revenue Service for being too slow to resolve fraud cases.

The agency’s watchdog says rampant identity theft has overwhelmed the IRS, resulting in a backlog of half-a-million unresolved cases.

The report describes how that is leaving victims waiting for refunds and credits they are owed, taking nearly two years to resolve cases.

In a statement, the IRS says it recognizes the identity theft case backlog is a significant problem.