Washington, D.C.--The U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Internal Revenue Service Restructuring and Reform Act" today by a vote of 402 to 8. U.S. Sixth District Congressman Frank Lucas--an original cosponsor of the similar IRS reform bill passed by the House earlier this year--was more than pleased to be one of those Members voting yes.

"This legislation is a huge win for American taxpayers," Lucas said. "The IRS, charged with the huge task of gathering the nation's revenue, has become bogged down in bureaucratic management and collection problems coupled with the complexities of enforcing an incredibly confusing tax code. These problems also weigh heavily on the shoulders of American taxpayers.

"The IRS has long functioned on the premise that the taxpayer is guilty until proven innocent," Lucas continued. AAnd that innocence has to be proven by the taxpayer at the taxpayer's expense. Unacceptable.

"This legislation changes and reforms a number of current operating procedures, tax code provisions and regulations over the IRS that will provide a more taxpayer-friendly agency," Lucas said, "as well as curb some tax code provisions which are burdensome for taxpayers in general."

The bill (1) shifts the burden of proof in tax liability disputes between the IRS and taxpayers from the taxpayer to the agency; (2) creates a nine-member independent board to initiate and oversee changes in mission and direction to be taken by the IRS; and (3) provides an "innocent spouse" provision, as well as a tax attorney-client confidentiality provision among others.

"This legislation has real bite," Lucas said. "Actual changes will be made at the IRS if the President is willing to sign this bill."

The legislation must be approved by the Senate and signed by the President in order to become law. The President has indicated that he will sign the bill.