I am writing to you today to express my deep concerns about a current proposal before Congress that would expand the already vast authority and reach of the IRS and place the entire tax filing system under its control as both tax collector and preparer. As a concerned citizen and taxpayer, I strongly urge you to reject this proposal and let Americans remain in control of their own financial future. I work hard and play by the rules. Every day, millions of Americans just like me do what we can to better ourselves and this country. Every tax season, I figure out what I owe the government or what the government owes me. But, this new proposal would turn that process on its head. Unlike an accountant or certified private software, the IRS will not have my best interests in mind if they oversee both collecting my taxes and also and telling me how much I owe. Common sense tells you that this is just plain backwards thinking and a clear conflict of interest. I work hard for my paycheck, and I want to be sure that I, as a taxpayer, can make the best decisions for my financial situation. The IRS is one of the least popular federal agencies, especially when it comes to customer service. Calling them for a question or a concern is a fool’s errand, and I don’t want to be facing that trouble – wasting countless hours every April – just to make sure that I’m not paying more taxes than I owe. Senator, please reject this proposal and keep the IRS focused on its current mandate, and let average Americans file their taxes themselves or with their accountant.

As a hardworking resident and taxpayer, I am deeply concerned about proposals to vastly expand the power of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to prepare tax returns on-behalf of every American. First, and foremost, these proposals create an inherent conflict of interest. Current private sector services, like free online tools or certified public accountants (CPA), have a clear incentive to maximize deductions for every taxpayer. Meanwhile, the IRS is currently charged with maximizing the collection of revenue for the federal government. I work hard to earn my monthly paycheck. I want someone on my side fighting to ensure that I can keep every cent I’m owed. As many of your constituents have learned first-hand, the IRS is clearly unable to fulfill its current obligation. Every year, millions of Americans spend countless hours trying to reach the agency’s customer service hotline. In-fact, a recent report found that only one-in-fifty callers were even able to speak to an actual human customer service representative. These proposals would also require hardworking taxpayers to turn over more of their personal data to the IRS. This should immediately raise red flags given the agency’s recent history of data breaches. Taxpayers are currently being asked to foot the bill for expensive new social spending programs. We should not also be asked to pay for an expansion of the IRS mandate when the private sector is successfully filling this role currently. It is critical that you work with your colleagues in the Senate to ensure that such misguided proposals are not included in the Build Back Better bill or any other legislative proposals that come before Congress. The hardworking taxpayers of will thank you.