October 21, 2022 10:00am EDT
GOP fires warning shot at IRS: Destruction of taxpayer filings is ‘ripe for congressional oversight'
The IRS destroyed 30 million paper-filed taxpayer documents in early 2021, claiming 'software limitations'
By Peter Kasperowicz FOXBusiness
Republicans on the House Ways and Means Committee asked the IRS this week to keep all documents related to its 2021 decision to destroy millions of taxpayer filings, and indicated a deeper congressional inquiry is coming if Republicans take control of the House.
During the first few months of the Biden administration, the IRS destroyed 30 million paper-filed "information returns," which must be filed by small business and others to inform the IRS of various transactions. The IRS claimed that "software limitations" prevented it from processing those returns, and a decision was made to destroy them.
The IRS insisted that no taxpayers would be penalized as a result of its decision, but tax professionals were outraged at the decision to wipe out documents that taxpayers took the time and expense to file, and Republicans demanded more information about what happened.
The IRS so far has refused to hand over the decision memorandum that outlined the rationale for destroying the paper files, and Republicans this week asked for it in an Oct. 20 letter to IRS commissioner Charles P. Rettig obtained by FOX Business.
"Committee Republicans have repeatedly sought this document and information," wrote Ways and Means Ranking Member Kevin Brady, R-Texas, and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Rice, R-S.C. "The Administration’s refusal to respond to the Committee, engage in a substantive discussion with staff about the request, and ultimately deny access to the decision memorandum obstructs the Congress’ important role to conduct oversight."
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https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/gop-fires-warning-shot-irs-destruction-taxpayer-filings-ripe-congressional-oversight
