IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 673 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Internal 

Revenue Service should provide printed copies of Internal Revenue Service Publication 17 to taxpayers in the United States free of charge. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

APRIL 12, 2016 

Mr. GROTHMAN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Ways and Means 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 

the Internal Revenue Service should provide printed copies of Internal Revenue Service Publication 17 to taxpayers in the United States free of charge. 

Whereas each year, Internal Revenue Service Publication 17, 

entitled ‘‘Your Federal Income Tax’’, provides individuals 

with general instructions on how to file their tax returns 

for the previous taxable year; 

Whereas in each year prior to 2015, free printed versions of 

Internal Revenue Service Publication 17 were made widely available to taxpayers at libraries, post offices, and 

taxpayer service offices, and even by mail at the request 

of a taxpayer; 


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•HRES 673 IH 

Whereas the Internal Revenue Service no longer disseminates 

a free printed version of Internal Revenue Service Publication 17 as it transitions to a fully electronic tax filing 

system, including an electronic system for providing instructions on filing tax returns; 

Whereas the Internal Revenue Service directs taxpayers to 

the Internet to download an electronic version of Internal 

Revenue Service Publication 17, even though the limited 

availability of a printed version of this publication burdens individuals who do not have access to a computer 

or printer and individuals who struggle to navigate a 

computer; 

Whereas the dissemination of printed copies of Internal Revenue Service Publication 17 is a basic taxpayer service 

that the Internal Revenue Service is ignoring; 

Whereas the Internal Revenue Service should prioritize its resources on areas that are critical to the ability of taxpayers to file their tax returns in a timely and proper 

manner; 

Whereas the decision of the Internal Revenue Service to stop 

disseminating printed copies of Internal Revenue Service 

Publication 17 adversely impacts populations that do not 

have access to, or understand how to use, a computer, 

and the decision unnecessarily burdens and restricts the 

ability of taxpayers to comply with the convoluted and 

complicated provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 

1986; and 

Whereas Internal Revenue Service Publication 17 is clear evidence of the need for comprehensive tax reform that simplifies the Internal Revenue Code so that individuals can 

complete their tax returns and pay their taxes without 


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•HRES 673 IH 

needing the nearly 300 pages of instructions that currently make up Publication 17: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives urges 

2 the Internal Revenue Service to— 

3 (1) resume printing copies of Internal Revenue 

4 Service Publication 17; and 

5 (2) provide free copies of such publication to 

6 the taxpayers of the United States. 

Æ 


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