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Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) voted for a package of legislation this week to reform, modernize, and hold accountable the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The policy reforms would represent the largest amount of changes made to the agency in more than 20 years. The centerpiece of the bipartisan bills passed by the House is H.R. 5444, the Taxpayer First Act, which would require the agency to submit a plan to Congress to restructure the IRS with a focus on improving efficiency, enhancing cyber security, and better serving taxpayers.
 
“Many of my constituents still have a sour taste in their mouths when it comes to the IRS due to the agency’s targeting of Americans based on political beliefs in 2013,” said Latta. “More than that, examples of the IRS acting with very little accountability are rampant. Businesses and families can have their assets seized without fair notice. Taxpayers often must wait for hours on the phone waiting for help. Just this week, on Tax Day, the IRS had their online payment system crash.
 
“With a new tax code, it’s time for a new tax collection agency.
 
“The Taxpayer First Act and the others bills passed by the House this week will make needed changes to the IRS to ensure they are held accountable. The legislation provides taxpayers with more tools to resolve disputes with the agency, including having access to an impartial review of the facts. The bills also modernizes the agency by making IRS data available in a searchable, electronic format.”
 
Legislation passed by the House this week in addition to the Taxpayer First Act also includes H.R. 5445, the 21st Century IRS Act, which requires the Secretary of Treasury to work collaboratively with the public and private sectors to protect taxpayers from refund fraud. Nine additional bipartisan bills were passed to improve and modernize the agency this week.
 
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