IRS sets the record straight: We’re going after tax evaders, not honest Americans: Op-Ed

Yahoo Finance ^ | 8/25/22 | Charles P. Rettig

[Libloather]

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The bottom line is this: These resources are absolutely not about increasing audit scrutiny on small business or middle-income Americans. The investment of these important resources is designed to support honest, compliant taxpayers. Our investment is designed around a Treasury directive that audit rates do not rise relative to recent years for households making under $400,000.

We all want a fair and impartial system where everyone contributes their fair share, no more and certainly no less. A robust, visible tax enforcement effort focused on high-end tax evaders and those supporting them is a priority. Underpayments by tax evaders shift the burden of operating our great country onto honest, hard-working Americans who follow the law.

With this new law, honest taxpayers will see badly needed, meaningful service improvements at the IRS. The IRS should be able to answer the phones and process information - including tax returns - in a timely manner. Enhanced IT systems and taxpayer services will mean that honest taxpayers will be better able to comply with the tax laws, ultimately resulting in a lower - yes, lower - likelihood of being audited and a reduced burden on them.

To set the record straight on this important legislation and dispel any lingering misperceptions, here are some key facts to keep in mind:

False Statement: The IRS is hiring 87,000 armed special agents to harass taxpayers.

Reality: Absolutely false. The majority of new hires the IRS makes will be those who answer the phones, work on processing individual tax returns or go after high-end taxpayers or corporations who are avoiding their taxes.

[clearcarbon]

"IRS sets the record straight: We’re going after tax evaders, not honest Americans "