Press Releases

Legislation that protects taxpayers from unwanted IRS participation in certain matters was introduced by Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz (TX-15) on Thursday, November 9th. The Strengthen Taxpayer Rights Act of 2023 is co-sponsored by Texas Reps. Randy Weber and Lance Gooden.

This bill aims to make a simple change. It says that before the IRS can bring in their lawyers and compliance experts to join a meeting with a taxpayer to settle a tax issue, the taxpayer has to agree to it. 

In the past, these meetings involved just the taxpayer and an IRS officer from the appeals department. Sometimes, the IRS lawyers and compliance experts could give their opinions in writing or before the meeting, but they didn't usually attend the meeting itself.

But in 2016, the appeals department changed their rules and said they could invite the IRS lawyers and compliance experts to the meeting, even if the taxpayer didn't want them there.

This bill puts a rule in place to protect taxpayers. It says that the taxpayer's permission is needed before the IRS lawyers and compliance experts can join the meeting. This way, the appeals process will be fair and not biased against taxpayers.

“I introduced the Strengthen Taxpayer Rights Act to ensure that taxpayers have a fair and independent appeals process, where their consent is respected before IRS lawyers and compliance experts can participate,” De La Cruz said. “I’m committed to safeguarding taxpayers' rights and leveling the playing field. I urge passage.”

The Strengthen Taxpayer Rights Act has the support of the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) and the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA).