LaHood introduces bipartisan taxpayer assistance bill

U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) wants to help Americans receive better and more prompt support from the federal government when they need help with their taxes.

Rep. LaHood on March 18 sponsored the bipartisan Improving Assistance for Taxpayers Act, H.R. 1825, cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and modernize the Office of the National Taxpayer Advocate, according to the congressional record. 

“Taxpayers deserve government agencies that function with efficiency and transparency and this legislation will bring both to the IRS,” Rep. LaHood said on Monday.

The Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) within the national office offers free help to taxpayers who have unresolved tax problems with the IRS. The TAS advocates for taxpayers both in specific cases and systemically, according to information provided by Rep. LaHood’s office.

Regarding systemic issues within the IRS, the TAS may opt to issue a Taxpayer Assistance Directive (TAD), which may require an IRS unit to change procedures “to improve the operation of a functional process or to grant relief to groups of taxpayers (or all taxpayers) when implementation will protect the rights of taxpayers, prevent undue burden, ensure equitable treatment or provide an essential service to taxpayers,” according to IRS documents highlighted by Rep. LaHood’s office.

However, Rep. LaHood said that TADs don’t always receive IRS responses and for the TADs that do, the IRS may respond with what’s comparable to a form letter.

H.R. 1825, the congressman said, would require the IRS to send a detailed response to TAS directives within 90 days and to notify Congress if they fail to do so.

“Dealing with the IRS can be frustrating, which is why our Taxpayer Advocate Service must have the tools it needs to get answers for taxpayers,” said Rep. LaHood. “As I heard directly from the National Taxpayer Advocate, when the TAS issues directives to address systemic problems at the IRS, it deserves more than a simple form letter.”

Rep. Suozzi said taxpayers who attempt to call the IRS for help experience long wait times with just 18 percent of calls answered. “It is imperative that the IRS is held accountable by an independent body to ensure taxpayers’ rights are protected,” he said.

H.R. 1825 has been referred to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for consideration.