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.
The bill has significant implications for IRS operations and employee management. By prohibiting telework, it seeks to ensure that all IRS employees are present in-person to expedite the processing of tax returns. Proponents argue this approach will foster efficiency and accountability within the agency during a critical time when many taxpayers are awaiting processing of their returns. However, the bill also stipulates that the Secretary of the Treasury is prohibited from obligating additional funds to the IRS until it receives certification of the backlog's elimination, thereby linking IRS funding directly to the bill's objectives.
House Bill 474, known as the 'Require Employees To Uniformly Return Now Act' or the 'RETURN Act,' mandates that employees of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) must return to their offices instead of working remotely. This requirement takes effect five business days after the bill's enactment and remains in force until the IRS Commissioner certifies that the backlog of income tax returns for all taxable years has been eliminated. The objective of this legislation is to facilitate the clearing of the tax return backlog that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Notable points of contention include concerns regarding the effectiveness of such a mandate. Critics may argue that a forced return to the office could lead to logistical challenges, exacerbate existing workforce shortages, or even undermine employee morale. Additionally, some stakeholders might question whether a focus on in-person work will genuinely expedite backlog resolution, especially considering the capabilities that remote work arrangements offered during the pandemic. Balancing operational efficiency with employee well-being is a potential flashpoint for discussions surrounding this legislation.