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PRIVATE TAX COLLECTOR DEFENDS PROGRAM

January 17, 2007

One of the private collection agencies involved the the controversial IRS tax collection outsourcing projects is located in Iowa. The company's president defends the program in today's Des Moines Register:

Finally, some have leveled accusations that private collection agencies will harass taxpayers. The facts: The agencies chosen for the IRS pilot program passed a stringent evaluation process and are continually monitored to ensure taxpayers are treated with respect. They were selected from a field of more than 30 of the most reputable firms in the country, based on low consumer complaints and highly ethical operations.

I think the article makes a good point when it says additional IRS resources should focus on the examination function; some aspects of the collection function are less technical and might be done better through outsourcing. I'm open-minded to collection outsourcing; I don't think a Treasury Employee union card is needed to enable somebody to phone tax delinquents. It's not as though the IRS employees have a spotless record in protecting taxpayer privacy.

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