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.
If passed, the RETURN Act would significantly impact IRS operations by enforcing a return to in-person work for employees who were previously allowed to telework. This is a response to the identified need for increased efficiency in processing tax returns, which was heavily impacted by the pandemic. The bill restricts the IRS from obligating additional funds until the backlog is addressed, essentially linking financial resources to operational effectiveness. Supporters argue that this is essential for improving the speed of tax return processing and restoring taxpayer confidence in the IRS's ability to manage tax affairs effectively.
House Bill 360, known as the RETURN Act, aims to address the backlog of 2020 tax returns at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by mandating that IRS employees return to the office. The bill specifically prohibits any telework for applicable IRS employees starting five business days after its enactment and continues until the IRS certifies that the backlog has been fully eliminated. This legislative action reflects ongoing concerns regarding delays in tax processing resulting from the pandemic and operational adjustments made by the IRS in response to COVID-19.
Overall, House Bill 360 represents an urgent legislative response to a significant issue facing the IRS and its ability to manage tax returns. As discussions continue, understanding the balance between operational needs and employee considerations will be critical in shaping the bill's final form and future implications for IRS workforce management.
The bill's implications raise several points of contention among legislators and stakeholders. Supporters emphasize the necessity of in-person operations to tackle the backlog and improve service levels for taxpayers, while critics may raise valid concerns regarding employee rights and the effectiveness of such mandates in addressing operational inefficiencies. Additionally, there might be discussions about the appropriateness of temporarily removing telework options, which some might argue provides necessary flexibility and safety for IRS employees.