[TomGuy]

Someone posted the text of the offending paragraph last evening (I didn't keep the link to that FR thread). It didn't read as so 'innocent' or 'typo' level of error (IIRC).

[Cold Heat]

Actually, I did read the excerpted paragraphs, and they definitely appeared to say what it appeared to say, but according to those in the know, the language was written by IRS and was not meant to mean that returns could be viewed.

At least that is what they claim.

In any case, to make that act legal, the IRS laws would have needed to be revised at the same time.

I think it is as they say, "a tempest in a teapot".

[steve-b]

Someone posted the text of the offending paragraph last evening (I didn't keep the link to that FR thread). It didn't read as so 'innocent' or 'typo' level of error (IIRC).

"Hereinafter, notwithstanding any other provision of law governing the disclosure of income tax returns or return information, upon written request of the Chairman of the House or Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service shall allow agents designated by such Chairman access to Internal Revenue Service facilities and any tax returns or return information contained therein."
[emphasis added]

Note the explicit repeal of all privacy protections and the availability of the loophole to any friend, contributor, or passing acquaintance of the Appropriations Committee chair.

If this is an "innocent error", I'm the King of Romania.