Clinton to Seek Taxpayer Rights Legislation

Two weeks after dramatic Senate hearings on IRS misconduct, President Clinton today plans to propose changes, including new taxpayer rights legislation and greater citizen involvement in fielding complaints, a congressman and staff members said. Clinton plans to recommend citizen advocacy boards at the Internal Revenue Service and an enhanced role for the agency’s taxpayer advocate’s office, according to Rep. Rob Portman (R-Ohio). Portman, who was briefed on the announcement by a top Clinton official, said Vice President Al Gore will unveil results of a National Performance Review study of customer service practices. The review will recommend internal administrative reforms at the IRS. And the president will discuss the administration’s work on improving the IRS, work that predates last month’s Senate Finance Committee hearings, Portman said.