GOP lawmakers issued a warning shot at the IRS over their handling of millions of taxpayer filings during the first few months of the Biden administration.
Republicans threatened the agency with increased oversight due to their apparent unwillingness to explain the destruction of 30 million “information returns” in 2021.
"Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee asked the IRS this week to keep all documents related to its 2021 decision to destroy millions of taxpayer filings, and indicated a deeper congressional inquiry is coming if Republicans take control of the House," Fox Business reports.
GOP fires warning shot at IRS: Destruction of taxpayer filings is ‘ripe for congressional oversight' https://t.co/xg72foNEHA
— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) October 22, 2022
From Fox Business:
During the first few months of the Biden administration, the IRS destroyed 30 million paper-filed "information returns," which must be filed by small business and others to inform the IRS of various transactions. The IRS claimed that "software limitations" prevented it from processing those returns, and a decision was made to destroy them.
The IRS insisted that no taxpayers would be penalized as a result of its decision, but tax professionals were outraged at the decision to wipe out documents that took time and expense to file, and Republicans demanded more information about what happened.
The IRS so far has refused to hand over the decision memorandum that outlined the rationale for destroying the paper files, and Republicans this week asked for it in a letter Thursday to IRS commissioner Charles P. Rettig obtained by FOX Business.
"Committee Republicans have repeatedly sought this document and information," wrote Ways and Means Ranking Member Kevin Brady, R-Texas, and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Rice, R-S.C.
"The Administration’s refusal to respond to the Committee, engage in a substantive discussion with staff about the request, and ultimately deny access to the decision memorandum obstructs the Congress’ important role to conduct oversight."
The Western Journal added:
Republicans argue that the lack of transparency on the issue raises red flags.
In May, the IRS told lawmakers that releasing such a memo would result in a “significant risk to the agency,” Fox reported.
Republicans aren’t buying it. “This blanket refusal from the IRS based on a perceived risk to the agency is unacceptable,” Brady and Rice wrote. “Congressional oversight does not stop whenever the executive branch identifies a perceived risk.”
“The decision to destroy information returns diligently prepared by millions of American taxpayers is ripe for congressional oversight.”
This latest instance of GOP ire toward the IRS is one in a long line of grievances.
GOP lawmakers have heavily resisted the agency’s efforts to monitor the bank accounts of citizens under the Biden administration.
Republicans have also decried the new IRS budget, which would see the agency hire 50,000 new employees over the next five years.
The IRS has even faced scrutiny from certain Democrats over their actions and practices.
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