I.R.S. Council: Tax System Undermined, Underground Economy Boosted

A couple of bits and pieces from here and there:

• The Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC) released its annual report today. It begins by confirming one of my cherished hopes:

  [P]rior year and proposed budget cutbacks have so diminished IRS effectiveness that most taxpayers are now experiencing increased compliance costs. This undermines the voluntary tax system, reduces government revenues and promotes the underground economy.

• Information about the recent NWTRCC national gathering in New York City is starting to trickle out. NWTRCC social media coordinator Erica Weiland has a blog post about the event and you can also read the coordinating committee meeting minutes.