Bill Archer: “Mr. Speaker, today is a great day for the American taxpayer. As families gather together next week to celebrate the…”

“Mr. Speaker, today is a great day for the American taxpayer. As families gather together next week to celebrate the Fourth of July, a day that recognizes the independence of all Americans, they can be proud to know that this Congress has secured for them greater independence from the excesses of the IRS than have ever been granted since 1952. The plan we vote on today gives David the taxpayer an arsenal of powerful slingshots to use against Goliath the IRS. Reform of the IRS has been long overdue and I am delighted that Congress is passing legislation that puts the legitimate rights of the taxpayer first. Our plan shifts the burden of proof off the taxpayer and onto the IRS. No longer will taxpayers have to prove in court their innocence but, rather, the IRS will have to prove liability. It gives taxpayers 74 new rights and protections, including protections for innocent spouses, usually women, and it creates an independent oversight board to get the IRS under control. Plus, we reduce the complexity that 16 million Americans endured when they filled out their difficult Schedule D IRS capital gains tax forms. By changing the holding period from 18 months to 12 months, we bring greater simplicity to the lives of taxpayers.”