Released: August 21, 2008

Keeping the IRS in check

Source: Michelle Singletary, Washington Post (Free Registration)

Nina E. Olson, the official appointed to speak out on behalf of U.S. taxpayers, has a few major gripes about the Internal Revenue Service. Among them, she believes the agency needs to better protect victims of tax-related identity theft. She also thinks the IRS should get more information out to homeowners about a new law eliminating taxes on debt canceled as a result of foreclosure.

Olson, who is the national taxpayer advocate, issued a summer report to Congress identifying areas of concern the IRS needs to focus on in the 2009 fiscal year.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the enactment of the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act, which created the Office of the Taxpayer Advocate to identify problems within the IRS and help taxpayers resolve conflicts with the agency.

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