An IRS reform bill that, among other things, would codify the requirement of an independent administrative appeals function at the IRS and limit access of non-IRS employees to returns and return information was approved by voice vote in the House on April 9, 2019.

The Taxpayer First Act of 2019 (H.R. 1957) would also enhance IRS information technology, including codifying the position of the IRS's Chief Information Officer (CIO) and establishing clear roles and responsibilities for the CIO, as well as cybersecurity and identity protections.

A companion bill (S. 928) has been introduced in the Senate, and both measures omit some controversial provisions from prior versions, including elimination of the IRS Oversight Board and changing the title IRS Commissioner to Administrator. Still, the provision codifying the existing Free File program and requiring the IRS to continue to work with private stakeholders to maintain, improve and expand the program has drawn criticism for precluding the IRS from creating its own online tax filing system.

The Senate may not take the bill up until May given that Congress is out for a two-week recess after this week.

———————————————