Karen Thurman: “I thank the conference members because I think they have done a relatively good job. As my colleagues know, quite…”

“I thank the conference members because I think they have done a relatively good job. As my colleagues know, quite frankly I wish this would have passed earlier in the year where people would have had an opportunity to have these changes available to them today, and I am going to support the conference report because it does include IRS reform and IRS responsibility and because I like the taxpayer protection provisions. Earlier this year I attended a hearing with Senator Bob Graham at which Florida taxpayers talked about their experiences with the IRS. I heard from women who had no idea of their spouse's tax irregularities but who were being penalized by the IRS. I also heard about penalties imposed for small underpayments that continued even after offers were made to the IRS. Such administrative inflexibility contributes to the distrust of IRS and our tax system. Fortunately the conference report makes changes that will help these taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, the innocent spouse relief is long overdue. The suspension of interest and penalty is a small step in the right direction. In addition, this legislation will make the IRS more efficient by improving oversight and imposing responsibility on employees for improper actions. The IRS must treat the American people with respect, and this bill will ensure that IRS employees understand that fact. But as occurs too often here, politics got the benefit of policy for 6 months. Good legislation was delayed.”