Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB203

Introduced
1/9/23  

Caption

No Hires for the Delinquent IRS Act This bill prohibits the hiring of additional Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees until the Department of the Treasury publicly issues a written certification that the IRS does not employ any individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt (i.e., an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien has been filed in public records).

Impact

The proposed legislation would directly impact the IRS's hiring processes, creating a halt on recruitment as soon as the bill is enacted. This situation could lead to understaffing, particularly if existing employees leave or retire. With the IRS already facing challenges such as managing a growing workload and addressing tax compliance issues, such a hiring freeze may exacerbate these difficulties, thereby potentially affecting tax collection and taxpayer services. The requirement for certification is intended to be a deterrent for hiring individuals who may themselves be failing in their financial responsibilities.

Summary

House Bill 203, known as the 'No Hires for the Delinquent IRS Act', aims to prevent the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from hiring any additional employees until it can be certified that no current IRS employee has a seriously delinquent tax debt. This bill seeks to instill a level of accountability within the IRS by ensuring that its employees do not have unresolved tax obligations, which could undermine the agency’s authority and public trust. The implementation of this measure could have far-reaching implications for the agency's operational capabilities and staffing levels.

Contention

While supporters of the bill argue that it helps reinforce ethical standards within the IRS, opponents may raise concerns over the practical effects such a hiring ban could have on the efficiency of tax collection and taxpayer service. There could be debates over whether this measure unjustly penalizes potential IRS employees who may not be involved in tax collection processes or if the definition of 'seriously delinquent tax debt' is too broad, potentially affecting hiring criteria more than intended. The bill thus raises questions about balancing integrity within the IRS with the need for adequate staffing and effective government operation.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB371

No Hires for the Delinquent IRS Act This bill prohibits the hiring of additional Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees until the Department of the Treasury publicly certifies in writing that the IRS does not employ any individual who has a seriously delinquent tax debt.The bill defines seriously delinquent tax debt as an outstanding tax debt for which a notice of lien is filed in public records, but excluding tax debtsbeing paid pursuant to an installment agreement or offer-in-compromise,for which collection action is suspended because a due process hearing or innocent spouse relief is requested,subject to levy, orreleased from levy due to economic hardship.

US HB360

Require Employees To Uniformly Return Now Act or the RETURN Act This bill prohibits Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees from teleworking during the period beginning five business days after the enactment of this bill and ending on the date on which the IRS certifies that the processing backlog for 2020 income tax returns has been eliminated. The Department of the Treasury may not obligate additional funds for the IRS until the date on which the IRS certifies the backlog has been eliminated.

US HB474

Require Employees To Uniformly Return Now Act or the RETURN Act This bill prohibits Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees from teleworking during the period beginning five business days after the enactment of this bill and ending on the date on which the IRS certifies that the processing backlog for income tax returns for all taxable years has been eliminated. The Department of the Treasury may not obligate additional funds for the IRS until the date on which the IRS certifies that the backlog has been eliminated.

US SB1011

Federal Employees and Retirees with Delinquent Tax Debt Initiative (FERDI) Act

US SB1444

Tax DODGER Act Tax Delinquencies and Overdue Debts are Government Employees’ Responsibility Act

US HB161

Prioritizing Troops Over Tax Collectors Act of 2023 This bill establishes the rate of basic pay for a member of the uniformed services at the minimum amount of $31,200. It transfers unobligated amounts made available to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 for enforcement activities to pay for the increase in basic pay. The bill also prohibits the IRS from hiring additional employees until the increase in the rate of basic pay is implemented.

US SB1021

A bill to prohibit the Export-Import Bank of the United States from providing financing to persons with seriously delinquent tax debt.

US HB319

Legal Workforce Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after and to replace the E-Verify system, which allows employers and recruiters to verify the immigration status of individuals. The bill also mandates the use of such a system, where currently only some employers, such as those with federal contracts, are required to use E-Verify. The bill specifies documents that can establish an individual's identity and employment authorization. During the period starting when a job offer is made until three business days after hiring, the individual must attest to his or her employment authorization, and the employer or recruiter must attest that it has examined the individual's required documents. Employers shall reverify certain types of employees who were not previously verified using E-verify. The Social Security Administration shall notify employees if their Social Security number has been used multiple times in an unusual manner. DHS shall establish programs for blocking and suspending misused numbers. Employers that are required to use the verification system shall not be liable for any employment-related action based on a good-faith reliance on the information from the system. The bill establishes a phased-in participation deadline for different categories of employers, including agricultural employers. The bill increases civil penalties related to hiring individuals without work authorization. It also preempts state laws relating to hiring and employment eligibility verification, but states may use their authority of business licensing to penalize employers for failing to comply with the bill's provisions.

US HB45

Small Business Tax Fairness and Compliance Simplification Act This bill expands the tax credit for a portion of the employer-paid Social Security taxes for employee cash tips to include beauty service establishments. (Under current law, the credit is limited to tips received for providing, serving, or delivering food or beverages.) The credit applies to tips received in connection with providing beauty services to a customer or client if tipping employees who provide the service is customary. Beauty services include barbering and hair care, nail care, esthetics, and body and spa treatments. The bill also (1) establishes an employer tip reporting safe harbor for beauty service establishments, and (2) specifies reporting requirements for income received from renting space to individuals who provide beauty services. The employer tip reporting safe harbor for beauty service establishments provides an exemption from certain Internal Revenue Service tip examinations for employers who meet certain requirements for educational programs, reporting procedures, compliance with tax law, and recordkeeping.

US HB3335

To ensure the successful development of the electronic Income Verification Express Service of the Internal Revenue Service by amending the Taxpayer First Act to clarify that taxpayer identity verification is the responsibility of users of the system rather than the taxpayer, and for other purposes.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.