On Tax Day, Ayotte Introduces Taxpayer Bill of Rights

Press Release

U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) today introduced the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, legislation to ensure that taxpayers in New Hampshire and across the nation are fully informed of their rights. Ayotte's Taxpayer Bill of Rights is similar to legislation that is set to pass the U.S. House of Representatives today.

The bill would amend current law to clarify that the IRS Commissioner is responsible for ensuring that agency employees are familiar with and act in accord with certain taxpayer rights, including the right to be informed, the right to be assisted, the right to be heard, the right to pay no more than the correct amount of tax, the right of appeal, the right to certainty, the right to privacy, the right to confidentiality, the right to representation, and the right to a fair and just tax system. While these principles have previously been adopted by the IRS, they currently are not codified in law. Ayotte's bill also includes provisions that make it clear taxpayers cannot be targeted for their political beliefs and that the IRS must ensure taxpayers have access to tax forms.

"Less than half of all taxpayers believe that they have rights before the IRS, and only 11 percent of Americans know what those rights are," said Senator Ayotte. "The Taxpayer Bill of Rights is a simple solution to reassure taxpayers that their rights are a fundamental part of our tax system, and it would reinforce what is expected of taxpayers and what rights they can expect the IRS to honor.

She continued, "Tax Day is also an important reminder of the need for tax reform that is focused on job creation and economic competitiveness. Our tax code is too complicated and mired with favoritism that doesn't drive economic growth. We need to simplify our tax code, make it fairer, and bring down rates for individuals and businesses so we can keep jobs here at home. Tax reform should also allow American businesses to bring back the trillions parked overseas because of our soaring corporate tax rate, so they can invest and create jobs here at home and bring more money into the Treasury for priorities like improving infrastructure and reducing our debt."

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