Today, Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08) delivered the following remarks during House debate on H.R. 998, the Internal Revenue Service Math and Taxpayer Help Act

As prepared for delivery.

“By voting for unified Republican control of government, the American people chose accountability and a return to common sense. There is no better example of bad government than the IRS. 

“Every year, taxpayers receive notices from the IRS proposing to adjust their tax liabilities. But unfortunately, the IRS is not required to explain the reasons for the adjustments. Nor does it need to explain that taxpayers have a legal right to dispute their adjustments within 60 days.

“The result is that taxpayers may end up paying more in taxes because they don’t know that they can dispute the IRS’s assessment of their tax liability. 

“This bipartisan legislation, the Internal Revenue Service Math and Taxpayer Help Act, sponsored by Representatives Feenstra and Schneider, will level the playing field for taxpayers and hold the IRS accountable.

“It will require the IRS to provide individuals with a clear explanation of the error showing the mathematical change and inform taxpayers that they have 60 days to correct the issue.

“I want to thank Representatives Feenstra and Schneider for their bipartisan work to bring more transparency to the IRS and protect American taxpayers from being left in fear of IRS action against them.”