U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) has released a discussion draft on bipartisan legislation proposing a renovation of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) after 20 years with upgrades to the federal agency’s information technology, infrastructure and tax administration services.
Rep. Jenkins, chairman of the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, and U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), ranking member of the subcommittee, on March 26 introduced the discussion draft for the Taxpayer First Act, a bill that has resulted from three years of subcommittee hearings, roundtable discussions and witness testimonies, according to House Ways and Means Committee staff.
“It is time to return the IRS back to its “service first” mission,” according to a staff letter accompanying the summary of the discussion draft provided by the committee.
Rep. Jenkins noted that working previously as a certified public accountant, she realizes “the IRS can be very frustrating to deal with.” But Jenkins said the IRS reform bill “will be a giant step forward in improving the taxpayer experience.”
For example, the draft bill proposes improving IRS customer service by establishing an independent appeals office, as well as creating a comprehensive customer service strategy. Likewise, the bill would fortify IRS efforts around cybersecurity and identity protection, among several related provisions, according to the draft bill’s summary.
Clear roles and responsibilities also would be established under the bill for the IRS chief information technology (IT) officer and would require the development of a strategic plan to meet long-term IT needs, particularly for cybersecurity. Additionally, the legislation would require the IRS to establish “robust and secure online accounts” and portals for taxpayers and tax preparers by 2023, as well as an internal online platform for Form 1099 filings.
“The Oversight Subcommittee took our time and conducted thoughtful, bipartisan work to improve taxpayer administration,” Rep. Lewis said. “As a result, this is the first time in many years that we will have a bipartisan taxpayer services bill ready for Tax Day.”
Rep. Lewis added that the subcommittee’s draft bill “puts the taxpayer first. I am proud of the process and product, and I hope that we will maintain the bipartisan spirit throughout committee and floor consideration.”
“I ran for Congress to reform our broken tax code and I am honored to have played a part in the most significant tax reform in 30 years,” Rep. Jenkins said. “However, tax reform was only half of our promise. Our attention must now turn to modernizing the IRS and improving the taxpayer experience.”
The House Ways and Means Committee has asked for comments on the discussion draft to be submitted by April 6.