WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. David Schweikert (AZ-06) and Rep. TJ Cox (CA-21) along with 67 other members of Congress, sent a bipartisan letter to the IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig, asking him to provide more transparency about translation services at the IRS.

Currently, when taxpayers provide an incorrect Taxpayer Identification Number (typically their Social Security Number) to the IRS, they are automatically enrolled in the Backup Withholding “B” Program, which orders the taxpayer to begin backup withholding of their wages until the issue is resolved.

Right now, the letter issued to alert a taxpayer that they have been enrolled in this program (a “B” Notice) is only available in English. This presents an unnecessary barrier for hard-working taxpayers who have limited English proficiency. This letter asks that the IRS provide transparency in how it chooses which documents are translated and the process for translating correspondence sent to taxpayers. 

“Ensuring that the IRS provides translation services to taxpayers with limited English proficiency will not only ease the burden on those taxpayers but will help improve taxpayer compliance throughout the filing process. I am pleased to be a co-leader of this letter to the IRS to help more Americans file their taxes without an added stress during a burdensome time,” said Rep. David Schweikert.

“Every year, taxpayers are unintentionally breaking the law because the IRS has failed to provide them tax forms in a language they understand. As Members of Congress, we must ensure that federal information of all types, but especially sensitive information like letters and forms from the IRS, are made accessible to all Americans, regardless of their English proficiency.” said Rep. TJ Cox. 

 A signed copy of the letter can be found HERE.

###