Taxpayer First Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5444 . . . the Taxpayer First Act . . . which would reform the IRS to focus on serving the taxpayers instead of the federal government.

This commonsense approach should be just that. However, under the previous administration, we saw how the IRS was weaponized against certain citizens and groups. This is unacceptable and the American people deserve better.

This bill would require the IRS to focus on customer service by improving the dispute resolution process within the agency; requiring the IRS to maintain the free file program; ensuring the IRS notifies taxpayers when they are conducting an audit; and requiring the IRS to submit plans to improve customer service and efficiency to Congress.

These reforms will make sure taxpayers are respected and treated fairly by the IRS. As President Reagan famously said, ``The most terrifying words in the English language are: `I'm from the government and I'm here to help.' '' That's a scary prospect but should not keep us from working to make government more accessible and customer friendly.

This bill would refocus the mission of the IRS to actually help taxpayers, instead of only target and punish them.

As a former state treasurer of Kansas, I understand the importance of being a good steward of taxpayer's hard-earned money. This bill works to accomplish that goal and I urge my colleagues to support it.

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