After a divorce or separation, people are sometimes stunned when the IRS seeks back tax from them because their former mate didn't report some income on a previous joint return or took invalid deductions. The House bill would remove those hurdles. Talks with an accountant over tax matters would get the same protection against disclosure that conversations with a lawyer are now given. Intrusive audits in which agents check out the car you drive or the private school your kid attends to spot unreported income might be slowed a bit. The audits couldn't begin unless the agency already has reasonable indication of unreported income.
Symbolism has a role, too.
Tucked into the House bill is a provision to allow checks to be made out to the United States Treasury rather than to the Internal Revenue Service. Inc. All rights reserved.