The Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act
By Congressman Xavier Becerra
California's 31st Congressional District
Tax season can be a daunting time for working families who are unfamiliar with our nation’s complicated tax code – and sadly there are unscrupulous individuals willing to take advantage of hardworking taxpayers. I believe it is high time that we equip the American taxpayer with easy access to the knowledge and resources they need to successfully weather tax season and secure the refund they deserve. That is why, with Tax Day a week away, I introduced H.R. 5716, the Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act on April 8, 2008.
This simple, common sense legislation would clarify the rights and responsibilities of all taxpayers in a single document, while improving taxpayer services and providing better regulation and oversight of tax preparers.
The bill would require the Treasury Department to publish in the tax code an easy-to-understand Taxpayer Bill of Rights. This publication would state each right and obligation and list its corresponding location in the tax code. This provision creates no new rights or obligations within the tax code itself, but simply seeks to clarify what Americans should expect from their government and its 5,000-page tax code.
The Taxpayer Bill of Rights Act protects filers against being exploited by untrained and unscrupulous individuals by regulating for-profit tax return preparers, improves and expands services to low and moderate income taxpayers, among other provisions. Read more about the various protections and resources provided to taxpayer by the legislation in this fact sheet.
The time has come for us to lend a hand to the American taxpayer in the form of this Taxpayer Bill of Rights.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
XAVIER BECERRA
Member of Congress