04/05/2018

Senate Finance to Hold Hearing on IRS Challenges

The agency needs to reduce fraud, improve taxpayers' security and services

On April 12, 2018, the Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing on how the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) plans to address future challenges and prepare for the 2018 filing season.

“The hearing will focus on making certain the agency is well staffed and has the technology it needs to serve taxpayers, reduce fraud and keep taxpayer information secure,” said Senate Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT).

The Senate hearing comes a week after two House Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee members released draft legislation to overhaul IRS operations and modernize the agency’s information technology, infrastructure and services. The draft bill includes dozens of prescriptions to fix several perceived problems at the IRS, including adopting a new process for resolving tax disputes; revamping the agency’s customer service strategy; and enhancing cybersecurity and identity theft prevention.

The Finance Committee hearing falls just a few days before the April 17 deadline for filing 2017 tax returns. The IRS is also in the midst of drafting guidelines implementing the massive tax overhaul enacted by Congress at the end of last year.

“With the 2018 tax filing season in full swing, the IRS has a lot on its plate as it implements a modernized tax code that will help U.S. workers and improve America’s global competitiveness,” Hatch said.

This article was provided to OSAE by the Power of A and ASAE's Inroads.