WASHINGTON -- Senate Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr. (R-DE) today released the following statement:

"Today, April 15, is tax filing day for millions of Americans. Fortunately, for most Americans, mailing in a tax return is the only exposure they will ever have to the IRS.

"For too many Americans, however, many days of the year are filled with anxiety because of problems with the IRS. The Senate Finance Committee last fall exposed widespread problems in the agency. Later this month, the Committee will hold four days of oversight hearings to look at more wrongdoing that has been uncovered in the course of our investigation.

"The IRS must be turned around. Later this spring, the Senate will take up comprehensive legislation to overhaul the agency and help ensure that taxpayers receive fair and civil treatment in their dealings with the IRS, and that it is a better work atmosphere for IRS employees. This legislation received unanimous approval from the Senate Finance Committee. It goes much further than legislation passed last fall by the House. It will provide more oversight of the agency; more accountability for IRS employees and a new arsenal of protections for taxpayers. It is my hope that we will have this legislation on the President's desk this spring.

"But our job will not end there. For every taxpayer who has problems with the IRS, there are many more who are flummoxed by the complexity of the tax code and aghast at the size of their tax bill. I intend to take some steps toward simplifying the code and reducing taxes in a tax relief bill later this year.

"Paying taxes is never pleasant. But by reforming the IRS, simplifying the tax code, and reducing the tax burden, Congress can take some of the sting out of it."