Senate Unanimously Passes Bipartisan IRS Customer Service Bill
A bipartisan bill aimed at improving customer service and modernizing operations at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) passed the U.S. Senate unanimously.
The bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act is a package of 65 reforms.
It’s designed to improve communication between the IRS and taxpayers, streamline the tax compliance process, and ensure taxpayers have timely access to expert assistance, among other reforms. The legislation also aims to reduce unnecessary calls and letters to the agency by expanding online services and providing taxpayers with better information about their returns and refunds.
The legislation includes elements of the Improving IRS Customer Service Act which was proposed by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Mark Warner (D-VA).
“Taxpayers should get the help they need without a fight. This package gives the American people a stronger voice and makes help easier to access,” said Sen. Cassidy.
Among the proposed changes is a requirement for the IRS to establish a real-time dashboard on IRS.gov providing information about call volume, backlogs, wait times, and callback availability. The legislation would also upgrade online tools to give taxpayers more individualized information about their refund status and any additional information the IRS may need to process their returns.
Other changes include the following:
Expanding callback technology and online taxpayer accounts;
Expanding electronic access to tax information and refunds;
Informing taxpayers facing economic hardship about available collection alternatives;
Making Tax Court proceedings more accessible and giving taxpayers more opportunities to challenge IRS decisions; and
Closing a loophole that allows tax preparers to avoid penalties when they alter a taxpayer's signed return.
The senators urged the House to pass the legislation when it returns for the post-election lame-duck session.
The bill has support from industry groups including the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). Its president and CEO Mark Koziel called the legislation “a significant achievement for taxpayers, tax professionals and the integrity of our tax administration system.”
