March 16,2000

Roth Statement on JCT Investigation on Allegations Relating to IRS Handling of Tax-exempt Organizations

WASHINGTON -- Senate Finance Committee Chairman William V. Roth, Jr. (R-DE) today released the following statement on the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) report on the allegations that the IRS conducted politically motivated audits of tax-exempt organizations:

"The Joint Committee on Taxation has examined, as thoroughly as it can, allegations of politically motivated audits, and found no evidence. This should come as a relief to the American taxpayer.

"However, while there is no evidence, there is no doubt the perception that politically motivated audits have occurred. It is my hope that the changes to the Treasury I.G.'s office made by the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 and Commissioner Rossotti's hard work will help to change these perceptions."