February 06,2006

Baucus Comments on IRS Announcement of Improvements for Questionable Refund Program

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Ranking Member on the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, released the following brief statement today in response to IRS Commissioner Mark W. Everson’s announcement of planned improvements to the Questionable Refund Program (QRP). The National Taxpayer Advocate has reported that many low-income Americans’ tax refunds have been inappropriately frozen by the program designed to catch fraudulent returns.

“I think taxpayers deserve more details about this plan to stop the wrongful freezing of refunds. The IRS needs to explain just how they’ll improve their filtering system, and who will be watching to make sure the new systems work. The IRS also needs to let taxpayers know how long these new ‘expedited’ reviews will take, and just how they can expect to be notified if the QRP flags their return. I’m glad IRS intends to make improvements, but taxpayers’ questions – and mine – about the freezing of these refunds are still far from answered."

Baucus was joined by Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) in writing to Treasury Secretary John Snow last month, asking for a report on problems with QRP.

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