Dear Secretary O'Neill and Commissioner Rossotti:
We are writing to express our commitment to overseeing that the United States Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) perform their responsibilities effectively pursuant to the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 (2001 Act).
These responsibilities include the timely and proper disbursement of tax rebate checks. Specifically,
the 2001 Act provides for individuals to receive a maximum tax rebate of $300 back this year, single parents to receive up to $500, and married couples to receive a maximum of $600. Since mailing one-time rebate checks is a unique undertaking, we want to make certain that you have a plan and are well-equipped to carry out this task.
Accordingly, we appreciate your responses to the following requests:
1. Please describe how the Treasury and the IRS plan to implement the requirement to issue tax rebate checks to taxpayers.
2. Please describe how the Treasury and the IRS will utilize their human and computer resources to provide timely and accurate notice to taxpayers regarding their rebate and the amount, and regarding the actual disbursement of the rebate checks.
3. Please describe how the Treasury and the IRS intend to minimize waste, fraud, and abuse in implementing the tax rebate.
4. Please describe any other problems that the Treasury and the IRS anticipate in implementing the rebate program.
5. Please explain whether the Treasury and the IRS intend to establish a toll-free number dedicated to customer service to respond to taxpayer questions regarding the tax rebate.
6. Please describe what impact, if any, the tax rebate program will have on other programs and/or projects that the Treasury and the IRS expect to undertake this fiscal year.
Your cooperation in responding to these requests by Friday, June 15, 2001, is appreciated.
We also look forward to monthly updates beginning in July 2001 regarding your progress in meeting your goals.
Sincerely,
_______________________
Charles E. Grassley
Chairman
Max Baucus Ranking Member
-30-
Source: Ranking Member’s News
