AARP was created with the praiseworthy and noble goal of promoting independence, dignity and enhancing the quality of life for older Americans.

I find that hard to accept.

could not expect to satisfy the requirements for tax-exempt status if they deliberately excluded nonmembers or free riders.

With so many struggling through a tough economy, it's important we remember that the IRS affects every household and business across the country.

I share the gentleman's concerns. I think they are very legitimate.

when the IRS commissioner himself is requiring, you know, professional assistance to deal with the Tax Code, I think that is a statement in and of itself

And I think it is important for us to make sure that if you are going to try to tell the public that they should not have to pay the same level of taxes that a for-profit enterprise pays, that it should be for a good reason.

Very important questions, and certainly know we have a current body of law that needs to be followed with regard to whether an organization qualifies as tax-exempt or not.

The IRS must simultaneously respect the rights of taxpayers, provide assistance to the millions of taxpayers who have questions about their taxes, and go after those who cheat the system.

Every year taxpayers face a Tax Code of growing complexity.

Among the biggest contributors to this problem is the new health care law.

The National Taxpayer Advocate's recent report to Congress provided some alarming facts on what the federal Tax Code has become.

And clearly, the IRS is the agency, the entity that is best positioned to make that determination, to enforce the law.

I think CBO estimates that the 10-year cost for the IRS is going to be somewhere in the $5 billion to $10 billion range.

I thank the gentleman. Thank you, Commissioner Shulman, for appearing before the subcommittee.

The subcommittee will come to order.

When we think about burdens on small businesses, I have to harken back to the burdens that the new health care law is going to add on small businesses, large businesses and on job creation in this country.

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