July 22,2005

Baucus Commends Senate Panel’s Vote to Support IRS Funding for Balanced Service and Enforcement

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) U.S. Senator Max Baucus, the ranking member of the Senate FinanceCommittee, commended the Senate panel on Treasury Appropriations for approving InternalRevenue Service (IRS) funding that will let the IRS continue to provide taxpayers with acomplete array of taxpayer services as well as support the agency’s enforcement efforts. Baucus,who has spearheaded efforts in the Senate protesting the IRS’s plans to close almost seventyTaxpayer Assistance Centers, made the following statement:

“The Senate expects the IRS to continue to offer a full slate of services so that all taxpayers,young or old, poor or wealthy, can get the help they need to comply with our complex tax laws.At the same time, the Senate is sending a message that we expect the IRS to be aggressive atclamping down on tax cheats and narrowing the $350 billion annual tax gap. While I support thepanel’s actions, I also intend to hold the IRS accountable to demonstrate that the money has beenspent wisely.”

The bill is expected to be considered by the full Senate after Labor Day and will have to bereconciled with the House before going to the President for signature.