Boustany Holds Hearing On New IRS Tax Return Preparer Initiative

Washington – U.S. Congressman Charles W. Boustany, Jr., MD, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Committee on Ways and Means, today held a subcommittee hearing to examine the new IRS paid tax return preparer program. In 2010, the IRS launched a paid return preparer initiative to stop abusive returns at the source rather than through the lengthy and expensive audit process.

"It is crucial for Congress to understand the new requirements and continue its oversight to judge whether the new program improves tax compliance,"

Chairman Boustany said at the hearing."The increasing complexity of the Internal Revenue Code has led more and more Americans to rely on paid tax return preparers to fulfill their tax return filing obligations. Paid tax return preparers prepared an estimated 60 percent of all federal returns filed. Taxpayers, paid preparers, and the IRS are best served if this initiative is successful." Since becoming chair of the Oversight Subcommittee in January, Congressman Boustany has held seven hearings. These hearings have investigated a range of topics including improper payments to Social Security programs and other refundable credits, AARP’s organizational structure and finances, and Medicare fraud.