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Rather than simplifying the tax system or limiting the IRS’ regulatory authority, the bloated, bureaucratic “Build Back Better” plan does the opposite. Preston Brashers writes:
According to Gallup, only 37% of Americans view the Internal Revenue Service favorably, making it one of the least popular federal agencies.
Even among self-identified liberals, the IRS only has a 38% approval rating. A paltry 8% of Americans rate the IRS’ performance as excellent.
Little wonder the IRS is unpopular, with its history of mishandling sensitive taxpayer information and with presidential administrations from Richard Nixon to Barack Obama using the powers of the agency to target political opponents.
Over the past month, Democrats and the IRS have faced public rebuke for a proposal that would require banks and other financial institutions to report to the IRS their customers’ transaction information, possibly even for accounts as small as $600.
[Preston Brashers, "‘Build Back Better’ Bill Would Build a Bigger, but Not Better, IRS Bureaucracy,” The Daily Signal, November 10]