WASHINGTON, D.C. - Oversight Subcommittee Chairman John Lewis (D-GA), delivered the following statement today at a Ways and Means Subcommittee hearing with IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman on IRS Operations and the 2010 Tax Return Filing Season:
“Today, the Oversight Subcommittee will review the operations of the Internal Revenue Service and the tax filing season.
“Before we begin, I would like to express our continued sympathy to the IRS employees in Austin and throughout the country. I want them to know that their safety is our top concern. I also want them to know that we value the good work that they do to help taxpayers, process tax returns, and collect our Federal revenue.
“We are pleased to have the Commissioner before us. First, we would like to thank the Commissioner for holding hundreds of “open houses" this filing season to help taxpayers who are having serious financial problems. We also would like to learn if there is more that can be done to help taxpayers this season, either in person or on the telephone.
“Second, we thank the Commissioner for his leadership on the regulation of tax return preparers. I believe that this regulation will protect taxpayers and enhance compliance.
“Finally, we will explore the agency’s proposed budget. We will consider what must be done to provide the agency with the resources that it needs to meet its core tax mission and its increasing responsibilities, including those under the health reform legislation.
“We, on this Subcommittee, have full confidence that the IRS can balance taxpayer service and enforcement with the support of the Congress. I am hopeful that others on the Subcommittee, and in the Congress, will join me in pledging their support today.
