Ander Crenshaw Praises FairTax, Hits Obama's Tax Policies

On Tuesday, from his perch as chairman of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government, which oversees the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Rep. Ander Crenshaw noted federal income taxes were due on Wednesday and stressed his support of the FairTax proposal.

With Tax Day upon us, residents in Northeast Florida and across the nation need no reminder of the long hours and many dollars spent to understand and comply with the complex tax code, Crenshaw said on Tuesday. Its a frustrating process, made more difficult by a lack of trust in the agency formed not long ago by chilling revelations that the IRS had targeted taxpayers based on political belief and wasted thousands upon thousands of dollars on lavish conferences and video production.

"My mission to simplify the tax code, make the IRS more accountable, and free Americans to keep more money in their own wallets rather than sending it to Washington moves forward on many fronts, Crenshaw added. "Thats why I co-sponsored FairTax legislation in one of my very first actions this year. Since 2006, I have fought to replace the current tax code with a transparent national sales tax on goods and services administered primarily by the states. Federal income taxes and the FICA payroll tax would be eliminated, and the IRS would no longer be needed.

As chair of the subcommittee responsible for appropriating the annual IRS budget, I also keep a close eye on operations there, pushing the agency to be more accountable to and transparent with taxpayers and Congress, Crenshaw continued. When news first surfaced that the IRS had abused the trust of American taxpayers, I immediately called top IRS officials to the Hill to answer for their actions. We enacted strict reforms to keep the agency in check =- a mission that continues today.

In the week ahead, Congress will continue its work to provide taxpayers with accountability and transparency from the IRS, Crenshaw said. Enacting a Taxpayer Bill of Rights that requires the IRS to fire employees who use their position for political purposes, prohibits agency employees from using personal email accounts to conduct official business, and improves access to the courts for those who believe they have been wronged by the agency is long overdue. Providing more tax relief for American families along with legislation, already passed, to provide permanent tax relief to small businesses also makes common sense and would help create nearly 200,000 jobs.

Crenshaw ended with a shot at President Barack Obamas policies.

The current administration will continue to favor more regulations and higher taxes on the road ahead, Crenshaw said. But, make no mistake, I do not and never have. That is why I am joining with fellow Republicans to put forth common-sense solutions that create a brighter future full of opportunity for everyone.