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Blog: House Passes IRS Oversight While Eliminating Spending (OWES) Act of 2016

Statement

Date: April 20, 2016
Issues: Taxes Government Operations Government Budget and Spending

The House of Representatives is taking action this week intended to end an abusive Internal Revenue Service (IRS). On Wednesday (April 20), the House passed H.R. 4885, the IRS Oversight While Eliminating Spending (OWES) Act of 2016. This bill would require the IRS to make fees collected from taxpayers subject to Congressional oversight for the first time.

According to Bloomberg Government, Public Law 103-329 "authorized the IRS to increase user fees and spend the proceeds to supplement annual appropriations. The agency charges fees for activities such as guidance provided to taxpayers and payment installment agreements."

The news service notes the agency collected more than $500 million in fees and penalties in fiscal year 2016. The money collected is essentially a charge by the government to the taxpayer for doing its job. No other agency can charge the public for doing its job and avoid accountability. The OWES Act limits overreach and stands up for you.


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