"You Mean I Can Actually Understand an IRS Form?" Well, Maybe

President Obama recently signed the "Plain Writing Act", which requires correspondence from federal agencies, such as the IRS, to be written with as little "legalese" as possible. Bruce Braley (D-IA) authored the legalization which passed the House by 341-82, a stunning margin given the present hyperpartisan election climate. After objections by Robert Bennett (R-UT) were overcome, the Senate passed the bill by voice vote. An unfortunate caveat: while IRS forms hopefully will be easier to read, no such law was passed requiring that the IRC, regulations or future tax legislation had to be in "plain writing."

Congratulations to Congress for at least attempting to improve understandably of IRS correspondence. Nevertheless, taxpayers are likely to benefit to a greater degree than tax professionals.