A few Congressional leaders are applying pressure on several major tax-preparation firms in wake of a government report that (gasp!) reported errors by some firms' paid preparers. Senators Grassley (R - Iowa) and Baucus (D - Montana) are pushing to speed up legislation that would expand regulation of the tax-preparation industry, enable the IRS to more easily discipline offenders, and require new standards for training and employee competency. (This is important as the only two current qualifications for employment at a tax-preparation service are a discernable pulse and the ability to pick Willie Nelson out of a lineup.) The Senator's actions come on the heels of Government Accountability Office report that detailed numerous errors discovered by undercover investigators posing as taxpayers at 19 outlets of several commercial tax-preparation chains. The report concludes that most of the documented problems would be solved if these tax-prep firms would just send the really incompetent, poorly trained, unmotivated, and mad-at-the-world type employees to the DMV. That way, tax returns would be correct, jobs would not be lost, and drivers could continue to enjoy the same level of customer service from some fresh, new faces. (You're right, that's our idea. This world is not that complicated after all...)
	To ask a question, request additional information, or unsubscribe, simply reply to this message. And if you know of anyone who may be interested in "Taxing Details," don’t hesitate to pass it along.