Appeals court refuses Trump request to consider shielding tax returns from House Committee
The decision clears the way for the committee to obtain the financial records Trump has repeatedly fought to keep from Congress, but his legal team could still appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court.
cbsnews.comIncome test for Medicare dental under debate; gets pushback
For more than 55 years, Medicare has followed a simple policy: covered benefits are the same, no matter if you’re rich, poor, or in-between. The so-called “means test” is drawing internal opposition from many Democratic lawmakers, as well as advocacy groups for older people, like AARP. The White House did not respond to requests for comment.
news.yahoo.com30 million people may receive $1,400 stimulus checks after Social Security Administration provides payment information to IRS
The Social Security Administration has sent information to the IRS that will help clear the way for almost 30 million people to receive their $1,400 stimulus checks, lawmakers said on Thursday. Saul said the Social Security Administration was initially limited in how much it could do based on how its role is defined by the Social Security Act and the terms outlined in the American Rescue Plan Act. The Social Security Administration said it began working with the IRS on March 17 to get those files to them. More from Personal Finance:About 127 million $1,400 stimulus checks have been sentUsing tax-deferred savings can help you get that $1,400 stimulus checkHow to make sure you don't miss $1,400 stimulus checks in the mailThe Democratic lawmakers called for promptly sending out the outstanding $1,400 checks. In addition to Social Security, that includes those who receive checks from Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Affairs and the Railroad Retirement Board.
cnbc.comLawmakers call for prompt payment of $1,400 stimulus checks to Social Security beneficiaries
As $1,400 stimulus checks go out, some lawmakers are expressing concern that recipients of Social Security and other federal benefits have yet to get the money to which they are entitled. Delays have been reported in sending $1,400 stimulus checks to Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Railroad Retirement Board and Veterans Affairs beneficiaries who do not typically file tax returns, according to the lawmakers. More from Personal Finance:New batch of $1,400 stimulus payments coming Wednesday, IRS saysHow to make sure you don't miss $1,400 stimulus checks in the mail$1,400 stimulus checks could be garnished for unpaid private debtsThe IRS has not provided a timeline for those payments, according to the letter. The lawmakers asked both agencies to come up with a schedule by Friday, March 26, for when federal beneficiaries will receive the money. A second batch of those $1,400 checks is due to arrive via direct deposit by Wednesday, while more payments have also been sent by mail as a paper check or prepaid debit card.
cnbc.comIRS will delay tax filing due date until May 17
The IRS will delay the traditional April 15 tax filing due date until May 17, 2021, to cope with added duties and provide Americans more flexibility. The Internal Revenue Service says it's delaying the traditional tax filing deadline from April 15 until May 17. The pandemic hit in the middle of last year's tax filing season, setting the agency back in terms of processing. Ad“Never before has the law changed so substantially in the middle of tax filing season," Patrick Thomas, director of Notre Dame Law School’s Tax Clinic, said in a statement. A number of lawmakers and professionals from the tax community have urged the tax filing season be extended to accommodate for these pressures.
IRS postpones April 15 U.S. tax deadline to May 17
The IRS and Treasury Department will postpone the April 15 tax-filing deadline to May 17, the agencies announced Wednesday. In addition, taxpayers can also delay payment of any money owed the IRS until May 17. Not all states follow the same filing deadline as the federal government. The IRS will provide more guidance on the extended filing season in the coming days, the tax collector said. "Under titanic stress and strain, American taxpayers and tax preparers must have more time to file tax returns."
cnbc.comCalls to extend the tax-filing season grow as April 15 deadline looms
With the April 15 tax-filing deadline a month away, calls to extend the season are growing. "Millions of stressed-out taxpayers, businesses and preparers would appreciate an extension of the deadline to file their 2020 tax returns." The IRS is answering only 25% of phone calls and has received and processed fewer returns than at the same time last year. Through March 5, the IRS had received nearly 56 million returns and processed nearly 49 million, according to the latest data. Last year, the agency had received nearly 68 million returns and processed 65 million by March 6.
cnbc.comCOVID relief bill could permanently alter social safety net
“The scope is both impressive and much needed.”AdSeveral aspects seem targeted at restructuring the country's social safety net and actually lifting people out of poverty. “That is really going to put a dent in child poverty,” Perry said. In promoting the child tax credit expansion, Democrats rallied around an analysis that predicted it would cut nationwide child poverty by 45%. He added, “What we did is unlikely to go away.”AdAt this point, the child tax credit expansion would expire at the end of the year without some sort of congressional intervention. A study by the Tax Policy Center concluded that the relief package would reduce federal taxes in 2021 by an average of $3,000 per household.
House set to vote on virus relief, Biden on cusp of triumph
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of N.Y., pose after signing the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill during an enrollment ceremony on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 10, 2021, in Washington. The House gave final congressional approval to the sweeping package by a near party line 220-211 vote precisely seven weeks after Biden entered the White House and four days after the Senate passed the bill. AdThe measure addresses Democrats’ campaign promises and Biden’s top initial priority of easing a one-two punch that first hit the country a year ago. According to a CNN poll released Wednesday, the relief bill is backed by 61% of Americans, including nearly all Democrats, 58% of independents and 26% of Republicans. On the relief bill, progressives had to swallow big concessions to solidify moderate support.
House approves pro-union bill despite dim Senate odds
But it faces an all-but-certain Republican blockade in a narrowly divided Senate and is unlikely to become law. Ad“I’ve heard Democrats argue that it’s the unions that built the middle class,” said Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the senior Republican on the House labor panel. And what this bill does is take away their freedom.”Labor unions have long been a bedrock of Democratic support. “This far-reaching legislation is nothing more than an union boss wish list,” said Foxx, who led Republican debate on the bill. Virginia Republican Rep. Bob Good excoriated the bill, saying it would effectively “funnel money to Democrats” by allowing unions to collect additional dues.
House approves pro-union bill despite dim Senate odds
But it faces an all-but-certain Republican blockade in a narrowly divided Senate and is unlikely to become law. Ad“I’ve heard Democrats argue that it’s the unions that built the middle class,” said Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., the senior Republican on the House labor panel. And what this bill does is take away their freedom.”Labor unions have long been a bedrock of Democratic support. “This far-reaching legislation is nothing more than an union boss wish list,” said Foxx, who led Republican debate on the bill. Virginia Republican Rep. Bob Good excoriated the bill, saying it would effectively “funnel money to Democrats” by allowing unions to collect additional dues.
Senate Democrats move immediately to "Plan B" on minimum wage
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday stressed the importance of the minimum wage hike, saying at a press conference that "we will not rest until we pass the $15 minimum wage." House progressives were more enthusiastic about the tax proposal, but cautioned that it was no substitution for a true minimum wage increase. "His own constituents, West Virginians, want a $15 minimum wage. A February poll by the One Fair Wage Coalition, a group which supports a minimum wage hike, found that 63% of West Virginians support raising the minimum wage by 2025. Raising the minimum wage is widely popular across the country, with a 2019 poll by the Pew Research Center showing that 67% of Americans support raising the minimum wage to $15.
cbsnews.comSenate Democrats move immediately to "Plan B" on minimum wage
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday stressed the importance of the minimum wage hike, saying at a press conference that "we will not rest until we pass the $15 minimum wage." House progressives were more enthusiastic about the tax proposal, but cautioned that it was no substitution for a true minimum wage increase. "His own constituents, West Virginians, want a $15 minimum wage. A February poll by the One Fair Wage Coalition, a group which supports a minimum wage hike, found that 63% of West Virginians support raising the minimum wage by 2025. Raising the minimum wage is widely popular across the country, with a 2019 poll by the Pew Research Center showing that 67% of Americans support raising the minimum wage to $15.
cbsnews.comBiden hails House passage of $1.9T virus bill, now to Senate
“We have no time to waste,” Biden said at the White House after the House passage early Saturday. That ships the bill to the Senate, where Democrats seem bent on resuscitating their minimum wage push and fights could erupt over state aid and other issues. Biden said weeks ago that he didn't expect the minimum wage increase to survive the Senate's rules. But those same Senate rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. Republicans oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs.
Senate Democrats move immediately to "Plan B" on minimum wage
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Friday stressed the importance of the minimum wage hike, saying at a press conference that "we will not rest until we pass the $15 minimum wage." House progressives were more enthusiastic about the tax proposal, but cautioned that it was no substitution for a true minimum wage increase. "His own constituents, West Virginians, want a $15 minimum wage. A February poll by the One Fair Wage Coalition, a group which supports a minimum wage hike, found that 63% of West Virginians support raising the minimum wage by 2025. Raising the minimum wage is widely popular across the country, with a 2019 poll by the Pew Research Center showing that 67% of Americans support raising the minimum wage to $15.
cbsnews.comHouse passes $1.9T pandemic bill on near party-line vote
The new president’s vision for flushing cash to individuals, businesses, states and cities battered by COVID-19 passed on a near party-line 219-212 vote. Biden said weeks ago that he didn't expect the minimum wage increase to survive the Senate's rules. But those same Senate rules prohibit provisions with only an “incidental” impact on the federal budget because they are chiefly driven by other policy purposes. MacDonough decided that the minimum wage provision failed that test. Republicans oppose the $15 minimum wage target as an expense that would hurt businesses and cost jobs.
Biden's trade pick vows to work more closely with allies
Katherine Tai, nominee for U.S. trade representative, testifies before a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021. (Tasos Katopodis/Pool via AP)WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden’s pick to be the top U.S. trade envoy promised to work with America’s allies to combat China’s aggressive trade policies, indicating a break from the Trump administration’s go-it-alone approach. Biden and his team have not indicated — and Tai didn't say Thursday — whether they will keep Trump’s tariffs. Far from coordinating with U.S. allies on trade, Trump sparred with them instead, putting tariffs on imported steel and aluminum and threatening to target European cars, too. She handled negotiations with the Trump administration over a revamped North American trade deal.
Democrats pushing Biden's COVID-19 bill through House panels
Republicans are attacking the Democrats $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package as too costly, economically damaging and overtly partisan. We’re very proud of that,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., told reporters when asked if the overall House bill would include the minimum wage increase. Democratic leaders hope for House passage later this month, with Senate approval and a bill on Biden’s desk by mid-March. Republicans’ amendments spotlighted what they see as political soft spots they can exploit. And while the GOP amendments were beaten back, they forced Democrats to take positions that could tee up GOP campaign ads for the 2022 elections.
Dems attempt to push through school funding, wage increase
The plan faces opposition from Republicans who want to tie new school funding to reopening. Biden's plan for $130 billion in school funding is in addition to more than $8 billion from previous relief packages. Stop ruining their futures and stop playing games.”Scott countered that schools can't make changes needed to reopen safely unless they get the funding in Biden's plan. AdRepublicans also signaled a fight over standardized testing, backing a proposed change to prevent relief funding from being used on academic assessments. The $350 billion portion of the bill before the committee also includes Biden's plan to raise the minimum wage from $7.25, where is has been since 2009.
Democrats unveil one-year plan to send up to $3,600 per child to households
The proposal would add more detail to President Joe Biden's call for expanding the Child Tax Credit as part of his $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief legislation. The proposal would increase the size of the Child Tax Credit, which under current law provides $2,000 for children under 17 and is distributed annually. Matt Stone | Boston Herald | Getty Images"We are making the Child Tax Credit more generous, more accessible, and by paying it out monthly," Neal said. While Republicans have criticized the $1.9 trillion plan as being too large, it's possible that boosting the Child Tax Credit will gain at least some bipartisan support. According to the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University, Biden's economic relief agenda — including the Child Tax Credit boost and other measures — would cut the U.S. child poverty rate in half.
cnbc.comIRS delays start of tax filing season to Feb. 12
The IRS is delaying the start of the 2020 tax filing season to Feb. 12, according to an announcement Friday from the agency. On that date, the IRS will start accepting and processing last year's tax returns. Normally, the agency opens tax season in late January. And yes, the tax filing deadline is still April 15. "If filing season were opened without the correct programming in place, then there could be a delay in issuing refunds to taxpayers," the IRS said in its announcement.
cnbc.comExtra unemployment benefits may take weeks to arrive. Fewer checks may be coming
But the extra unemployment benefits it contains may take weeks to arrive. The legislation provides 11 weeks of additional benefits to the self-employed and workers who exhausted their standard allotment of state benefits. Similarly, New Jersey labor officials said there wouldn't be a gap in benefits, citing the U.S. Labor Department in a tweet on Monday. As things stand, it appears unemployed workers will get 10 weeks of extra benefits — one fewer than the law intended. This was to be the first available week of extra benefits offered by the relief law.
cnbc.comOp-ed: This legislation will create a retirement recovery plan for millions of Americans
Yet that is what we saw when Democratic and Republican House members came together and introduced legislation to enhance American workers' retirement security. The newly introduced House bill, the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2020, includes several proposals from the Insured Retirement Institute and others we support to help workers meet their retirement needs. The pandemic has added obstacles to workers' ability to plan and save for retirement, particularly those close to retirement age. The SECURE Act was the first step toward reversing the looming retirement crisis where too few workers are saving adequately. It also clarifies tax incentives for small-business owners to encourage them to offer a workplace retirement plan.
cnbc.comAudit likely gave congressional staff glimpse of Trump taxes
When JCT staffers disagree with the IRS on a decision, the review is typically kept open until the matter is resolved. Even acknowledging that Trump's taxes were before the panel is verboten. Representatives for the Trump Organization did not respond to messages seeking comment and confirmation that the Joint Tax Committee had reviewed Trump's taxes. Former JCT staffers would not comment on whether they remembered the dispute with Trump, citing confidentiality rules. Neal, the lead force behind a Democratic lawsuit to expose Trump’s taxes, said the Times’ reporting is proof that the documents should be given to Congress.
NY Times: Trump paid $750 in US income taxes in 2016, 2017
President Donald Trump paid just $750 in federal income taxes the year he ran for president and in his first year in the White House, according to a report in The New York Times. The president’s financial disclosures indicated he earned at least $434.9 million in 2018, but the tax filings reported a $47.4 million loss. Roughly half of Americans pay no income taxes, primarily because of how low their incomes are. But IRS figures indicate that the average tax filer paid roughly $12,200 in 2017, about 16 times more than what the president paid. The president in 2017 paid $145,400 in taxes in India and $156,824 in the Philippines, compared to just $750 in U.S. income taxes.
Trump's tax revelation could tarnish image that fueled rise
“Donald Trump needs this election to be about Joe Biden as a choice," said longtime GOP consultant Alex Conant. Trump's support over the years has remained remarkably consistent, polls over the course of his presidency have found. Even today, when asked to explain their support for Trump, voters often point to his success in business as evidence of his acumen. Roughly half of Americans pay no federal income taxes, but the average income tax paid in 2017 was nearly $12,200, according to the IRS. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer tweeted an emoji calling on followers to raise their hands “if you paid more in federal income tax than President Trump.”“That’s why he hid his tax returns.
Democrats to redraft virus relief in bid to jump-start talks
WASHINGTON – House Democrats are going back to the drawing board on a huge COVID-19 relief bill, paring back the measure in an attempt to jump-start negotiations with the Trump administration. The Democratic-controlled chamber could also pass the $2 trillion-plus measure next week if talks fall through to demonstrate that the party isn't giving up on passing virus relief before the election. The chamber passed a $3.4 trillion rescue measure in May but Republicans dismissed the measure as bloated and unrealistic. Republicans reacted coolly, especially at the prospect of a partisan floor vote if the effort doesn't spark constructive talks. Thursday's developments come as moderate “front line" Democrats in competitive reelection races have been pressing leaders like Pelosi to become more flexible.
Democrats propose sweeping bill to curb presidential abuses
WASHINGTON – House Democrats on Wednesday proposed a bill to curb presidential abuses, a pitch to voters weeks ahead of Election Day as they try to defeat President Donald Trump, capture the Senate from Republicans and keep their House majority. Each of the bill’s provisions is a response to actions by Trump or his administration that Democrats see as abuses of presidential power. It builds on an elections and ethics reform package the House passed soon after Democrats reclaimed the majority in 2019. Congress has yet to send to the president any legislation to try to curb foreign election interference after Russia meddled on several fronts in the 2016 presidential contest. “The degradation of our democracy over the past 3 1/2 years is not the work of the president alone,'' Schiff said.
Ex-Marine wins Democratic primary for Joe Kennedy IIIs seat
Jake Auchincloss has won a packed primary to become the Democratic nominee in the race to fill the U.S. House seat being vacated by Rep. Joe Kennedy III in Massachusetts. Nearly 1 million voters, skittish over the coronavirus pandemic, used the mail option for Tuesdays primary. He was elected to the Newton City Council in 2015. Kennedy opted not to seek reelection so he could challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Edward Markey in the Senate Democratic primary, but lost that bid Tuesday, becoming the first member of the Kennedy political dynasty to lose a congressional race in Massachusetts. The few other members of Massachusetts all-Democratic congressional delegation who had faced primary opponents Reps. Richard Neal, Stephen Lynch and Seth Moulton all breezed through Tuesdays runoff.
Progressive challengers' year: 3 wins and some close calls
But some challengers lost, and their overall wins were a modest number compared with the 535 House and Senate members. Kessler wasn't impressed with the three progressive challengers who defeated Democratic incumbents, either. Other high-profile progressive hopefuls lost Senate Democratic primaries in Colorado, Maine and Texas, and House contests in states including Georgia, New York and Ohio. Jamaal Bowman, a Black educator raised by a single mom, defeated House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel of the Bronx and Westchester, New York. They're an effective and well-funded operation now," said Sean McElwee, who does polling and research for progressive Democrats.
Trump order allows some unemployment pay, defers payroll tax
Trump moved to continue paying a supplemental federal unemployment benefit for millions of Americans out of work during the outbreak. The previous unemployment benefit, which expired on Aug. 1, was fully funded by Washington, but Trump is asking states to now cover 25%. In addition to the extension of some unemployment benefits, Trump's orders call for a deferral of payroll tax and federal student loan payments and efforts to halt evictions. Trump said the employee portion of the payroll tax would be deferred from Aug. 1 through the end of the year. He added that Trump "does not have the power to unilaterally rewrite the payroll tax law.
Progressives say primary wins latest sign of momentum shift
FILE - In this March 6, 2020 file photo, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., speaks at a campaign rally in Detroit. Her opponent in the primary was Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones. Y'all, we about to change the world.Beyond signaling momentum, the victories are giving progressives confidence about two upcoming tests. Next week, squad member Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota will face a challenge from a well-funded opponent, Antone Melton-Meaux. In March, Marie Newman knocked off Illinois Rep. Dan Lipinski, an abortion opponent who compared progressive Democrats to a tea party of the left."
Trump administration to give Congress full virus loan data
WASHINGTON After prodding from Democratic lawmakers, the Trump administration has agreed to give Congress but not the public complete data on the millions of small businesses that received loans from a $600 billion-plus coronavirus aid program. Their concession came with a warning to lawmakers not to divulge confidential loan information to the wider public. Last week, the Treasury Department and SBA relented to pressure from lawmakers and watchdogs and agreed to publicly disclose details on which businesses received loans under the program. Under the new agreement, the agencies will provide the complete data on loans of all sizes to the congressional oversight panels. Economists have said the small business loan program has helped, though its hard to know by how much.
Outcry as some nursing homes try to grab stimulus checks
(Leah Millis/Pool via AP)WASHINGTON Compounding the hardships of the coronavirus, some nursing homes have demanded that low-income residents turn over their $1,200 economic stimulus checks, a cash grab lawmakers want to halt. Low-income Medicaid recipients must not be coerced into wrongly handing over their checks for fear of being kicked out of their homes, wrote Neal and Pallone. We are not aware of widespread issues with resident stimulus funds," the American Health Care Association said in a statement. Generally, a Medicaid recipients taxable income is taken into account in determining their eligibility for the program. CMS chief Seema Verma tweeted on Tuesday that nursing homes engaging in this behavior will be subject to enforcement action.
Why some Americans may have to file tax returns before they see a coronavirus stimulus check
There may be a catch for individuals who typically don't file a tax return but are expecting to receive a stimulus check. "People who typically do not file a tax return will need to file a simple tax return to receive an economic impact payment," the IRS stated. "Low-income taxpayers, senior citizens, Social Security recipients, some veterans and individuals with disabilities who are otherwise not required to file a tax return will not owe tax." More from Personal Finance:Unemployment benefits stalled by confusion, delaysAnswers to your questions about the coronavirus stimulus checksWhich bills to pay during the coronavirus pandemicOn Wednesday, Sens. "We strongly urge you to ensure that economic stimulus payments are automatically sent to vulnerable seniors and individuals who experience disabilities, without these individuals needing to file a tax return," the senators wrote.
cnbc.comLawmakers push to extend tax filing season to July 15
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., has proposed giving taxpayers until July 15 to submit their 2019 income tax returns 90 days from the original April 15 due date. The Tax Filing Relief for America Act, which Senators Steve Daines, R-Mont., and Angus King, I-Maine, are joining Thune in introducing, aims to have the filing deadline coincide with the new July 15 deadline for taxpayers to pay the IRS taxes owed for 2019. Senators Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., are co-sponsors. But the federal agency decided to stick with the original April 15 due date for filing the returns. House Ways and Means chairman Richard Neal, D-Mass., also called on Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to move the federal income tax filing deadline to July 15.
cnbc.comU.S. House leaders unveil coronavirus bill; Capitol tours suspended
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday unveiled a broad package of proposals to help Americans affected by the coronavirus outbreak, while officials suspended public tours through the Capitol building. A Capitol tour guide points up into the U.S. Capitol Rotunda during a tour on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., March 12, 2020. House Democrats hope to pass this second coronavirus bill through Congress before it begins a scheduled recess at the end of this week. Even before the decision limiting access to the Capitol, the number of visits was falling, said Democratic Representative Donna Shalala, ex-President Bill Clintons secretary of health. Most of my tours have been canceled because people are not coming, Shalala said of her south Florida constituents.
feeds.reuters.comU.S. Capitol tours suspended as House leaders speed coronavirus bill
FILE PHOTO: Visitors look up at the domed ceiling while on a tour of the Rotunda at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., February 6, 2019. REUTERS/Mary F. CalvertA Capitol official confirmed that the spreading coronavirus prompted a decision to temporarily stop tourist visits, although the landmark building will remain open for legislative business. The tours would be suspended through the end of March, a congressional official said, adding it was not yet clear when the suspensions would start. House Democrats hope to rush this second coronavirus bill through Congress before it begins a scheduled recess at the end of this week. The House bill is expected to include paid sick leave for workers quarantined or having to stay home to care for family members.
feeds.reuters.comSpending bill aims to rescue some workers' pensions, but not everyone makes the cut
And politicians are using the opportunity to help fix the pensions and health-care benefits for one group of workers: coal miners. The measure would help ensure that the 1974 United Mine Workers of America Pension Plan won't become insolvent. The measure, if passed, would represent a much bigger change compared to the miners' legislation. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., last month put forward their own proposal to help shore up multiemployer pension plans. It also proposes a strategy to stabilize the multiemployer pension system and the long-term solvency of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, a federally chartered entity that supports insolvent pensions.
cnbc.comTreasury inspector general launches tax information request probe
The US Treasury Department building is seen in Washington, DC, on July 22, 2019. The chairman's request to the inspector general comes following the revelation of a whistleblower in connection with the federal court case stemming from Neal's denied requested for President Donald Trump's tax information. "Chairman Neal has asked Treasury OIG to inquire into the process by which the Department received, evaluated, and responded to the Committee's request for federal tax information," Rich Delmar, the acting Inspector General, said in a statement. The presidential tax audit program, conducted by the IRS, automatically audits every president's taxes. He has argued that he wants the records to make sure the presidential tax audit program is working properly or if it is necessary to make legislative fixes.
Washington Post: IRS whistleblower report involves presidential tax audit
The whistleblower did not disclose details of the report to the Post. The whistleblower denied acting with political motivations and argued that the complaint being uncorroborated was "what investigations are for," according to the Post. Citing multiple people familiar with the complaint, the Post reported that White House officials found it to be insubstantial because it was dependent on conversations with secondary government officials. The presidential tax audit program, conducted by the IRS, automatically audits every incoming president's taxes. Neal has argued that he wants the records to make sure the presidential tax audit program is working properly and to make legislative fixes if necessary.
Federal employee warned of 'possible misconduct' in IRS audit program
The Presidential tax audit program, conducted by the IRS, automatically audits every incoming President's taxes and Neal has argued that he wants the records to make sure the Presidential tax audit program is working properly or if necessary make legislative fixes. Neal said in his letter to Mnuchin that the allegation underscores the need for oversight of the program. The House has argued it needs the information to understand how the Presidential audit program, which is not enshrined in law and is shrouded in mystery, is carried out. "On July 29, 2019, the Committee received an unsolicited communication from a Federal employee setting forth credible allegations of 'evidence of possible misconduct'-specifically, potential 'inappropriate efforts to influence' the mandatory audit program," Neal wrote in his letter to Mnuchin dated August 8. "This is a grave charge that appreciably heightens the Committee's concerns about the absence of appropriate safeguards as part of the mandatory audit program and whether statutory codification of such program or other remedial, legislative measures are warranted."