SHAHEEN CALLS FOR COMPLETE AUDIT OF IRS

(Washington, DC) - Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) today is calling for a complete and thorough audit of the Internal Revenue Service by the agency’s inspector general. Shaheen’s call comes after IRS employees were caught abusing their power and targeting select tax-exempt organizations for additional scrutiny based on their partisan leanings. 

The recent scandal showed the lack of clear guidance by IRS leadership, particularly when it comes to oversight of certain types of non-profit organizations. Shaheen is suggesting a full and complete audit in order to renew the public’s trust in the agency.  Several recent reports issued by the inspector general highlighted the need for further scrutiny in many areas.

“The inspector general’s report highlighted the need for close scrutiny of the IRS and holding the agency accountable,” Shaheen said. “In light of these abuses, and in the interest of fairness for all taxpayers, we need a full and thorough audit of all of the IRS’s practices. Only then will the IRS be able to regain faith and trust of the American public.” 

Last year Shaheen joined other senators in asking for the IRS to implement clear regulations with respect to all 501(c)(4) non-profit organizations, regardless of their ideological beliefs. Specifically, Shaheen asked the IRS to adopt a bright line test so 501(c)(4) groups know how much activity can be political. Had the clear guidance Shaheen recommended been in place, the current IRS scandal may not have occurred.