Overhaul Of Irs A Welcome Relief

The older man looked totally defeated. For the past 20 years, he’s battled the IRS. He lost his job, his reputation and his emotional health. He won a settlement against the IRS, but he knows he’ll never see the money. He believes the agency is hoping he’ll die before it needs to pay a dime for its abuses.

This man was featured on “60 Minutes” a week ago, but the IRS refused to comment on his case and several others. Luckily, the IRS didn’t have that right of refusal last week in Congress. Senate Finance Committee hearings finally exposed abuses by a government agency that has worked in secrecy too long.

The hearings provided an example of government working through a major problem. And working through it well. So many Congressional hearings are dog-and-pony shows. Elected officials use them for media attention and political gain. These hearings, however, accomplished something.

People hurt by the IRS were listened to and believed. IRS agents testified about the flawed agency. They told of agents who snoop into the tax returns of celebrities and relatives. Who believe all tax debtors are crooks and flakes, deserving of harassment. Who feel pressured to collect, no matter the cost or validity of the charge.

Michael Dolan, acting IRS commissioner, didn’t excuse, didn’t rationalize, didn’t hide behind rhetoric and jargon. He said: This is wrong. We will fix it.

It’s important to remember that the IRS does important work. Many agents are hard-working, fair and try hard to cooperate with those they are auditing. And people and businesses in our country do cheat on their taxes, costing all of us more.

But this overhaul of the IRS is much welcomed. Drunk with power and with no checks and balances in place, the agency spiraled into bureaucratic madness and meanness. Maybe now it will finally end.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Rebecca Nappi For the editorial board