WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two bipartisan bills championed by U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.), a member of the Senate Finance Committee, passed with unanimous support in the Senate. The Unlocking Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Funding Act and the Protecting Innocent Taxpayers from Endless Assessments Act would support lower-income taxpayers in Vermont, Kansas, and across the country.

“The IRS is difficult to navigate and a pain for everyday taxpayers—that’s something we can all agree on, no matter where you’re from. I teamed up with my friend and colleague Senator Marshall on these bills, which will improve IRS operations in dire need of reform and make a world of difference for taxpayers in their dealings with the IRS. I’m grateful for the support of Senate colleagues for advancing our bills and all of the important IRS reforms in the Taxpayer Assistance and Service Act. I urge the House of Representatives to pass these bills when they return in November,” said Senator Welch. 

The Unlocking Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic Funding Act, introduced by Senator Welch and co-led by Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), would make it easier for Low-Income Tax Clinics to access federal grant funding. These clinics provide free or low-cost services for taxpayers in disputes with the IRS. The Protecting Innocent Taxpayers from Endless Assessments Act, introduced by Senator Marshall and co-led by Senator Welch, would amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to clarify that the IRS’ unlimited statute of limitations applies only to taxpayers who intentionally evade taxes, protecting victims of preparer fraud. 

Both bills were included as part of the bipartisan Taxpayer Assistance and Service (TAS) Act, a package of 65 bipartisan reforms that would strengthen the rights of taxpayers, streamline U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) operations, and improve the taxpaying process for the American people.  

The TAS Act previously advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee in July by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 26-1 and has earned the endorsement of the nonpartisan National Taxpayer Advocate and other leading individuals and organizations.  

Read and download the full text of the TAS Act and view a Section-by-Section summary of the bill. 

###