Let's face it...the IRS isn't the most popular government agency out there. It's not just that they take your money. They also have a (undeserved?) reputation for tough stances on deductions and credits, aggressive tax collectors, poor customer service and generally being difficult if you happen to disagree with them.

Wouldn't it be nice to have a kinder, gentler IRS? You'd still have to pay your taxes, but at least you wouldn't have to deal with some of the IRS's rougher edges anymore. Well, guess what...President Trump just signed a bill that will reform the IRS and make it a little more taxpayer-friendly. It's called the Taxpayer First Act, and it's the result of some rare bipartisan cooperation in Congress. Here are 12 ways the new law will improve the IRS's bad reputation.

Improved Customer Service

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It's bad enough to be told that the IRS is digging into your tax return...but frustration levels go through the roof if you're tied up with an IRS customer-service representative who can't help you or runs you around in circles. That's why the Taxpayer First Act forces the IRS to develop a comprehensive customer service strategy. Among other things, the IRS will have to adopt best practices of