A bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL) to modernize the Office of the National Taxpayer Advocate, became law on Monday with the president’s signature of a larger bill reforming the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Language from Rep. LaHood’s Improving Assistance for Taxpayers Act, H.R. 1825, which he introduced on March 18 with bill cosponsor U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY), was included in the sweeping Taxpayer First Act, H.R. 3151, the largest reform of the IRS in over 20 years.
“With President Trump’s signature today, we are taking a major step to reform the IRS to be a more effective organization for American taxpayers,” Rep. LaHood said on July 1. “I am proud that legislation I introduced was included in this important reform and am encouraged by the bipartisan work of my Ways and Means Committee colleagues to make systemic and much-needed changes at the IRS.”
H.R. 3151 includes language from Rep. LaHood’s bill to require the IRS to respond within specified time frames to Taxpayer Advocate Directives that may be issued by the Taxpayer Advocate Service, which is part of the national office and offers free help to taxpayers who have unresolved tax issues with the IRS.
Prompter responses will address systemic issues within the IRS and expand protections for taxpayers, according to the congressman’s office.
“When people file their taxes, they should have confidence that their return will be processed fairly and that their information will be protected,” said Rep. LaHood. “The Taxpayer First Act will help ensure the taxpayers, not a federal agency, is prioritized.”