Letter to John Koskinen, Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service - Ensure Statewide Access to Paper Tax Forms
Letter
John Koskinen
Internal Revenue Service
U.S. Department of the Treasury
1111 Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20224
Dear Commissioner Koskinen,
I am writing on behalf of rural Colorado residents who have contacted my office regarding inconsistent availability of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax forms and instructions for 2013 to several counties across Colorado. As of this writing, merely six weeks remain until taxes are due.
Many rural Coloradans, particularly those who prepare their own returns, are senior citizens, or lack Internet access and rely on public libraries, post offices, and other civic organizations to obtain copies of IRS forms and instruction booklets. Access to broadband internet is not universal, with gaps in coverage in rural areas that inhibit or limit access to the website. While the IRS continues to pursue cost savings by encouraging taxpayers to access forms online, it should not disregard the needs of senior citizens and those without online access.
According to its mission statement, the IRS is charged with "providing top quality service by helping the taxpayer understand and meet their tax responsibilities and enforce the law with integrity and fairness to all." I strongly believe the IRS's inconsistent service to rural Colorado, including delays in delivery of forms and instruction manuals to public libraries, runs counter to this mission. While I will remain committed to working with public and private partners to ensure high-speed Internet access is available to all Coloradans, the IRS needs to acknowledge this reality and ensure its forms are available across rural Colorado.
The IRS should act, without delay, to ensure all Coloradans have access to 2013 federal tax forms and instructions. I appreciate your attention to this matter, and I look forward working to ensure rural taxpayers are receiving needed tax information and services.
Sincerely,
Source