IRS Faces Challenges with Centralized Authorization File Processing Delays
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is experiencing significant delays in processing authorizations through its Centralized Authorization File (CAF) system, which is crucial for tax professionals to access taxpayer data. These delays have become a major bottleneck, affecting the ability of tax professionals to represent clients efficiently. Historically, CAF processing was expected to take five days or less, but current times range from one to over 26 days. The volume of authorizations has surged, with nearly 7 million filed in 2025 alone, exacerbating the issue. The IRS has introduced Business CAF to streamline processes, but challenges remain, including barriers to access and lack of automation.