IRS was crying wolf

During the AMT debate the IRS repeatedly warned that it would need several weeks to reprogram its computers. IR 2007-209 amounts to a big "Never mind" (hat tip to Emily Latella). For the vast majority of taxpayers, even those affected by the AMT, tax filing season will start on time. Only those who file at least one of five specific tax forms will experience a delay, and then only until February 11. The five forms are:

* Form 8863, Education Credits.
* Form 5695, Residential Energy Credits.
* Form 1040A's Schedule 2, Child and Dependent Care Expenses for Form 1040A Filers.
* Form 8396, Mortgage Interest Credit.
* Form 8859, District of Columbia First-Time Homebuyer Credit.

These Forms have difficult interactions with the AMT that will take the extra time to program. An estimated 13 million taxpayers will be affected. Almost none of them will be "rich."