The men and women of Michigan are hardworking Americans who are trying to make smart financial decisions for their families, their businesses and their futures. They are careful with their money, and expect the government to be as well. That is why a new proposal in Congress to expand the Internal Revenue Service and give them even more control over your tax return is very troubling.
We all know that the IRS’s job is to collect taxes that are owed each year. When tax time comes around, many Michigan residents pour over the numbers or enlist the help of a local CPA or trained tax professional to make sure that they get things right.
But now, some members of Congress are pushing a proposal that would give the IRS unprecedented authority to not only collect your taxes, but generate your tax return as well.
We all know that the IRS’s job is to collect taxes that are owed each year. When tax time comes around, many Michigan residents pour over the numbers or enlist the help of a local CPA or trained tax professional to make sure that they get things right.
But now, some members of Congress are pushing a proposal that would give the IRS unprecedented authority to not only collect your taxes, but generate your tax return as well.
On the surface, this proposal seems simple enough, but the devil is always in the details. That is certainly true when it comes to your taxes, and there are real concerns that a massive agency like the IRS would miss the important details that are critical to your family every tax season.
For instance, many Michigan residents are able to take advantage of state and federal tax credits for making their homes more energy efficient. From installing solar panels to upgrading to more energy efficient windows or water heaters, taxpayers are making sure that they get money back in their pockets for making smart upgrades.
But these and many other items that qualify you for crucial tax breaks are not things that an official at the IRS may know that you prioritized in 2021, and countless Michigan families could be left out in the cold if they do not receive what they are rightfully owed.
What’s ironic about this situation is that the IRS has not even asked for this expanded authority. Perhaps that’s because, after decades of underfunding, the IRS struggles to complete its core basic functions.
The agency had a backlog of over 35 million unprocessed tax returns at the end of last filing season. And if you were to call the IRS during last year's tax season, you would have had a 1-in-50 chance of having an actual person answer the phone.
Tax season is stressful enough. We shouldn’t be making it even harder for taxpayers to get their questions answered or to get money back in their pockets — money they are rightfully owed.
We must insist the IRS focus on improving its current responsibilities. Any idea that its authority should be expanded is misguided, reckless, and could hurt Michigan families.
Here in Michigan, we value policymakers who work towards smart, forward-looking solutions for our state and the country. In that spirit, I urge Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters to fight to ensure that taxpayers can continue to make their own financial decisions and reject any proposal that would expand the IRS’ authority and reach.
After all, no one wants to have the government be their accountant come tax time.
For instance, many Michigan residents are able to take advantage of state and federal tax credits for making their homes more energy efficient. From installing solar panels to upgrading to more energy efficient windows or water heaters, taxpayers are making sure that they get money back in their pockets for making smart upgrades.
But these and many other items that qualify you for crucial tax breaks are not things that an official at the IRS may know that you prioritized in 2021, and countless Michigan families could be left out in the cold if they do not receive what they are rightfully owed.
What’s ironic about this situation is that the IRS has not even asked for this expanded authority. Perhaps that’s because, after decades of underfunding, the IRS struggles to complete its core basic functions.
The agency had a backlog of over 35 million unprocessed tax returns at the end of last filing season. And if you were to call the IRS during last year's tax season, you would have had a 1-in-50 chance of having an actual person answer the phone.
Tax season is stressful enough. We shouldn’t be making it even harder for taxpayers to get their questions answered or to get money back in their pockets — money they are rightfully owed.
We must insist the IRS focus on improving its current responsibilities. Any idea that its authority should be expanded is misguided, reckless, and could hurt Michigan families.
Here in Michigan, we value policymakers who work towards smart, forward-looking solutions for our state and the country. In that spirit, I urge Sens. Debbie Stabenow and Gary Peters to fight to ensure that taxpayers can continue to make their own financial decisions and reject any proposal that would expand the IRS’ authority and reach.
After all, no one wants to have the government be their accountant come tax time.
Author
An Op-Ed from Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce President Veronica Horn
Published in the Detroit News 2-27-22.
