WASHINGTON - Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa today said a report from a bipartisan tax working group he co-chaired reflects input he received from Iowans on the need to consolidate or otherwise simplify the tax code.
"Iowans are frustrated with the complexity of the tax code," Grassley said. "Getting help from the IRS is often impossible, and identity theft is an increasing concern. Our working group presented options for cleaning up the tax code and tax administration in key areas. I'm grateful for the ideas and concerns I heard from Iowans to inform this work."
Grassley was one of three co-chairs of a bipartisan working group tasked with individual income tax reform. The leaders of the Finance Committee, with jurisdiction over tax policy, convened the working groups and received reports from each group this week.
The individual income tax reform working group focused on options for potential bipartisan agreement in three areas: charitable giving, higher education and tax administration including identity theft. The group's report is available here. More information on the Finance Committee's tax reform effort is available here.
Earlier this year, Grassley conducted a survey of Iowans to collect their ideas and priorities for tax reform. He also joined a forum with tax professionals and business leaders in Des Moines with the same goal. Iowans expressed the need for tax simplification and fairness.
Last month, Grassley introduced comprehensive legislation to improve customer service at the IRS, create new taxpayer protections, and update and strengthen existing taxpayer protections. The Taxpayer Bill of Rights Enhancement Act of 2015 comes amid gross mismanagement and inappropriate actions by IRS employees that have shaken what little confidence taxpayers may have had in the agency.
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