Opening Statement of the Hon. William J. Coyne, a Representative in Congress from the State of Pennsylvania

Hearing on the IRS National Taxpayer Advocate Annual Report and the IRS Oversight Board Annual Report

February 28, 2002

As the Oversight Subcommittee's first hearing in 2002, it is most appropriate that we receive the testimony of the IRS National Taxpayer Advocate and of the Chairman of the IRS Oversight Board.

The Congress enacted legislation in 1998 to reform IRS operations and to provide taxpayers with a more efficient tax administration system. I served as a Member of "The National Commission on Restructuring the Internal Revenue Service" and supported enactment of the substantial authorities we granted to both the Taxpayer Advocate and the Oversight Board.

Both oversight organizations have proven to be critical to the success of the IRS's ongoing restructuring efforts and continuing focus on taxpayer services. I want to thank both Nina Olson, the Taxpayer Advocate, and Larry Levitan, Chairman of the Oversight Board, for their leadership and commitment to a better IRS.

The Subcommittee has a lot of ground to cover today. First, we will consider the Advocate's 273-page report on the most serious problems facing taxpayer, advocacy efforts on behalf of taxpayers, and legislative recommendations the Committee should consider. Next, we will consider the Board's analysis of IRS operations, short and long-term, to understand what the IRS must do to best meet the needs of taxpayers nationwide.

I want to thank Chairman Houghton for continuing the tradition of holding annual oversight hearings on the IRS.

Thank you.