Grassley Praises IRS Attention to Paid Tax Preparer Accuracy, Honesty

Press Release

GRASSLEY PRAISES IRS ATTENTION TO PAID TAX PREPARER ACCURACY, HONESTY

Sen. Chuck Grassley, ranking member of the Committee on Finance, with jurisdiction over taxes, today made the following comments on the IRS' enforcement action against Jackson Hewitt, described as the nation's number two paid tax preparation firm.

"I can't presume guilt on anyone's part and don't want to comment on the specifics of this case. But in general, it's good to see the IRS and the Justice Department focusing enforcement on tax preparation. Almost a year ago to the date, a Finance Committee hearing highlighted problems with some paid preparers. We're having a hearing next week to focus on filing season problems. Taxpayers need to be able to trust their paid preparers. In turn, the government needs accurate tax returns. We have a net tax gap of $290 billion. Any paid preparers cheating on taxpayers' behalf are part of the problem. Last year, the Finance Committee passed legislation to make paid preparers more accountable. That legislation wasn't brought before the full Senate, but we need to try again."

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source