Judy Chu, CA
“I support this bill. It lets the National Taxpayer Advocate share opinions in court cases that affect taxpayer rights. This will help make sure taxpayers are heard in court.”
“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9498, the Taxpayer Advocate Participation Act. I thank my colleagues Mr. Steube and Ms. DelBene for their leadership on the bill. This bill would allow the National Taxpayer Advocate to file amicus briefs in court cases that broadly affect the rights of taxpayers. The National Taxpayer Advocate serves as the voice of the taxpayer within the Internal Revenue Service and before Congress. She is the head of the Taxpayer Advocate Service, which is an independent organization within the IRS that advocates for taxpayers’ rights. Each year, the National Taxpayer Advocate submits an annual report to Congress outlining the top issues facing taxpayers along with the legislative recommendations to strengthen taxpayer rights, reduce taxpayer burden, and improve IRS performance. In the most recent annual report, the National Taxpayer Advocate recommended that Congress authorize her office to file amicus briefs on issues affecting fundamental taxpayers’ rights. Current law does not authorize the National Taxpayer Advocate to submit amicus briefs and share her views on Federal tax cases broadly affecting taxpayer rights. This bill would provide such authority. This bill is a targeted, commonsense measure that ensures taxpayer voices are heard in Federal tax cases and reinforces fairness, transparency, and accountability in our tax system. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”
Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 9498, the Taxpayer Advocate Participation Act. I thank my colleagues Mr. Steube and Ms. DelBene for their leadership on the bill. This bill would allow the National Taxpayer Advocate to file amicus briefs in court cases that broadly affect the rights of taxpayers. The National Taxpayer Advocate serves as the voice of the taxpayer within the Internal Revenue Service and before Congress. She is the head of the Taxpayer Advocate Service, which is an independent organization within the IRS that advocates for taxpayers’ rights. Each year, the National Taxpayer Advocate submits an annual report to Congress outlining the top issues facing taxpayers along with the legislative recommendations to strengthen taxpayer rights, reduce taxpayer burden, and improve IRS performance. In the most recent annual report, the National Taxpayer Advocate recommended that Congress authorize her office to file amicus briefs on issues affecting fundamental taxpayers’ rights. Current law does not authorize the National Taxpayer Advocate to submit amicus briefs and share her views on Federal tax cases broadly affecting taxpayer rights. This bill would provide such authority. This bill is a targeted, commonsense measure that ensures taxpayer voices are heard in Federal tax cases and reinforces fairness, transparency, and accountability in our tax system. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.