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Today, Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) joined his colleagues in passing H.R. 5053, the Preventing IRS Abuse and Protecting Free Speech Act, to protect groups and organizations from targeting by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) based on their political beliefs. The bill eliminates requirements for non-profit, tax-exempt organizations to disclose personal donor information on the agency's Schedule B form. While these forms are supposed to remain confidential, there are numerous cases of this information being improperly released and made public. Despite the requirement for these organizations to disclose donors that contribute more than $5,000, even the IRS admits the information is unnecessary for determining the groups’ tax-exempt status.

“Americans need to know that they will not be targeted by the IRS simply for exercising their rights to participate in the political process," said Latta. “Eliminating this paperwork requirement that even the agency says is unnecessary will take away a tool that has previously been used to target organizations and individuals based on their personal beliefs. Passing H.R. 5053 is an important step in reining in this agency and protecting the rights of citizens."

The IRS previously came under scrutiny when an inspector general audit found that the agency was inappropriately targeting conservative organizations for additional scrutiny. Lois Lerner, an IRS official at the center of that scandal, resigned in light of the report.
 
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