WASHINGTON -- The Senate Finance Committee will hold three days
of hearings looking at the practices and procedures of the Internal
Revenue Service on September 23, 24, and 25, Chairman William V.
Roth, Jr. (R-DE) announced today.
During the three days of hearings, the committee will take an
unprecedented look at both the internal and public conduct of the
tax collection agency. The hearings follow a six month long
investigation under the direction of Chairman Roth.
Since the investigation was announced last February, Chairman
Roth has been contacted by more than 1,000 taxpayers who feel that
they have been mistreated by employees of the IRS. The committee has
also been contacted by both current and former IRS agents.
"Our six month long look at the IRS shows a troubled agency,
with widespread, serious problems. At a minimum, the cases brought
to our attention paint a picture of an unresponsive agency with some
employees who do not care about the taxpayers they serve. At the
worst, our investigation has uncovered an agency in which a
subculture of fear and intimidation has been allowed to flourish -
both in the internal treatment of some employees, and in the
treatment of some taxpayers," Roth stated.
"The Finance Committee can give a unique, behind the scenes look
at this agency because as Chairman, I have the power to look behind
the IRS curtain of secrecy. This power, section 6103 of the tax
code, is something that has not been used to this great an extent
for more than a decade. Oversight of the IRS is part of the
responsibilities of the Senate Finance Committee, and I consider
this investigation and week of hearings only the beginning of
ongoing monitoring by the Committee of the agency's conduct.
"I would like to emphasize that there are many good employees at
the IRS. It is through contact with these employees that we have
been able to uncover much of what will be revealed at the hearing,"
Roth concluded.
The Committee will hear from a variety of witnesses. A witness
list will be available at a later date.
http://www.senate.gov
Press Release #105-167
Contact: Ginny Flynn
202/224-4288
Christina Pearson
202/224-5218
