 As of April, the report says the IRS delay was 22 months. The IRS said in an email statement it recognizes the backlog of identity theft cases remains one of the most significant ongoing service gaps. The leader of the watchdog group, Aaron Collins, says overall, over the last four years, the IRS has progressed from a place of despair to a place of hope and optimism for the agency and taxpayers. Ed Donohue, Washington. You are listening to 103.5 FM and WTOP.com.