Two Feenstra-led Bills to Reform IRS Pass U.S. House Ways and Means Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, two bills led by U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra (R-Hull) to make important reforms to Internal Revenue Service (IRS) procedures passed the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.

“I’m glad that two of my bills to insulate the IRS from partisan politics and make the IRS more accountable to taxpayers passed the Ways and Means Committee,” said Rep. Feenstra. “One bill ensures that the IRS clearly spells out errors on tax forms and helps taxpayers not only understand the mistake but also challenge it if they see fit, and the other bill improves customer service and case outcomes at the IRS by finally allowing the nonpartisan National Taxpayer Advocate to hire her own attorneys. Serving on the Ways and Means Committee, I will continue to advocate for Iowa taxpayers, push for lower taxes, and make the IRS more responsive and accountable to the American people.”

“Representative Feenstra has been a tireless advocate for taxpayers’ rights on the Ways and Means Committee. His legislation will create a more level playing field for taxpayers by forcing the IRS to notify individuals of any adjustments to their tax return and give them sixty days to challenge that adjustment. The IRS needs to be transparent with the American public when they think a mistake has been made and provide the full scope of changes they are making to a return. Anything short of that leaves the taxpayer in the dark and not on equal footing with the Agency. Additionally, his legislation will ensure the National Taxpayer Advocate, the organization charged with protecting taxpayers from abuse, remains independent and insulated from interference by the IRS,” said Rep. Jason Smith, Chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.

The National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act would clarify that it is within the purview of the National Taxpayer Advocate to hire attorneys that specifically report to her and support her efforts to serve taxpayers and work with caseworkers.

The Internal Revenue Service Math and Taxpayer Help (IRS MATH) Act would require the IRS to clearly communicate tax-filing errors to taxpayers, identify the item that is being changed, and explain why a tax refund is higher or lower than expected.

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