FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 17, 1997               Contact:  Lisa McHenry  (202) 225-7004

IRS COMMISSION TO HOLD PUBLIC MEETING ON TAXPAYER RIGHTS, CENTURY DATE CHANGE, AND MANAGEMENT ISSUES

Washington, D.C. - The National Commission on Restructuring the Internal Revenue Service will conduct a two-day public meeting on February 26 and 27, 1997. On the 26th, the meeting will be held in room 562 Dirksen Senate Office Building beginning at 9:00 a.m. The meeting on the 27th will be held in room G50 Dirksen Senate Office Building beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Commission is jointly chaired by Senator Bob Kerrey (D-Nebraska) and Congressman Rob Portman (R-Ohio).

The meeting on the 26th will focus on taxpayers' rights, and how these rights affect various functions of the IRS. Representatives from both the public and private sector will discuss the Taxpayer Bill of Rights I and II, the quality of the audit and collection functions of the IRS, and the right of the taxpayer to redress against the IRS for civil violations. Confirmed witnesses on the 26th include:
Majority Leader Richard K. Armey
Overview and Legislative Options for Taxpayers' Rights
Lee Monks, Taxpayer Advocate, IRS; Steve Glaze, Attorney
Quality of Audit
James E. Donelson, Chief Compliance Officer, IRS; John Monaco, Price Waterhouse; Glenn Bedonie, Program Director, Compliance and Education, Florida Department of Revenue
Collection Actions
James E. Donelson, Chief Compliance Officer, IRS; Professor Marilyn E. Phelan, Texas Tech University; Steve Kassel, Enrolled Agent
Taxpayer Redress
Robert T. Duffy, Attorney; Professor Ridgeley A. Scott, Widner University
Taxpayer Representatives
Michael Mares, AICPA; Bob Kamman, Attorney; Professor Janet Spragens, Washington College of Law
On the 27th, the Commission will discuss the technological problems of the century date change. The century date change refers to the problem most computer systems will have in referring to dates after January 1, 2000, and is probably the most pressing technological issue facing the IRS today. The Commission will also review alternative governance models and organizational structures available for an organization like the IRS. Witnesses include:
Century Date Change
Joel Willemssen, GAO; Arthur Gross, Chief Information Officer, IRS
Governance and Management
Professor Ernest Gellhorn, George Mason University Law School; Professor Roy Schotland, Georgetown University Law Center; and Bill Stern, President, William J. Stern, Inc.