On March 28, 2019, U.S. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced new tax legislation referred to as the Taxpayer First Act of 2019. This legislation is largely aimed at improving and modernizing the IRS as well providing taxpayers with greater protections.
Highlights of the proposed bipartisan legislation include:
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Creating an independent office of appeals as part of the IRS;
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Requiring the IRS to present to Congress a strategy to, among other things, improve the efficiency of the IRS, modernize the technology utilized by the IRS, and enhance the cyber security of the IRS;
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Expanding protections and programs related to tax ID theft; and
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Providing for increased electronic filing of returns.
Similar legislation was proposed in the House of Representatives at the end of last year but was never considered by the Senate. The Taxpayer First Act of 2019 is another attempt by Congress to address much needed IRS reforms.
The tax attorneys at Dickinson Wright will continue to monitor this proposed tax act as it works its way through the legislative process.
