Members of Congress Attempt to Slow Closing of Taxpayer Assistance Centers

About 70 members of Congress recently contacted IRS Commissioner Mark Everson and asked that IRS not close some taxpayer assistance centers (TACs) until more study could be done on the impact on taxpayer compliance. IRS taxpayer Nina Olson (recently praised in Tick Marks) also supported deferring the closures. The closures were plan of a cost-cutting move by President Bush.

I have to side (somewhat uncharacteristically) with the Congresspeople on this one. In general, cost control in federal spending is a good thing. Traditionally, however, a study is made before closing military bases; if anything, given the confusing nature of present tax law, closing a TAC should get at least as much scrutiny as closing a military base.