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Taxpayer First Act of 2019

Floor Speech

Date: April 9, 2019
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Taxes

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Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, as we approach tax day, I am proud to support the passage of the Taxpayer First Act, a commonsense, bipartisan piece of legislation to improve the relationship between taxpayers and the IRS.

Tax season is often confusing and overly burdensome for millions of families and small business owners across this country as people spend countless hours struggling to correctly file their taxes. Outdated IRS systems and practices contribute to this confusion and jeopardize the security of taxpayers' personal information. Additionally, too many taxpayers don't have reliable access to customer service supports and timely dispute resolution.

The Taxpayer First Act includes a number of important provisions to address these challenges, expanding taxpayer assistance services and improving data security. Families in my Alabama district and across this country will benefit from this bill codifying the Free File program, shielding certain low-income households from private debt collectors, and making more resources available online.

I am proud that the Taxpayer First Act also includes a provision that I had in my bill that I introduced with a Republican colleague, Jason Smith, the Preserving Taxpayers' Rights Act. This provision establishes an independent office of appeals within the IRS and gives taxpayers a legal right to impartial, timely, and efficient dispute resolution. It also helps protect taxpayers by clarifying the limited scope of cases that can be litigated and prevents the IRS from outsourcing audits of private taxpayers to outside law firms.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Lewis and Congressman Kelly for their continued support and leadership on this legislation. I know this legislation has been introduced and passed the House three times, but I know that Congressman Lewis knows that when you are right, and you are fighting on behalf of the American people for what is right, you must persist and keep fighting to get to the finish line. It is called good trouble, according to Congressman Lewis, and we are getting into good trouble today by helping to make the tax filing process more efficient, fair, and secure for the American people.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.

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