IRS Fines’ Supervisory Review Blessed by Bipartisan House Vote

The House on Monday passed legislation requiring IRS employees to get sign off from their direct managers on proposed penalties, the latest effort to overhaul tax administration heading to the Senate.

The vote passes Rep. Glenn Grothman’s (R-Wis.) H.R. 5346, which specifies fines can only be levied if they have the sign-off of the immediate supervisor of the IRS employee making that determination.

The IRS issued regulations last year that Grothman argued improperly broadened which officials could approve fines and decreased accountability.

“This simple clarification strengthens the taxpayer protections and promotes a more consistent and reliable penalty process,” Grothman ...