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 Serv-
ice 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 cop-
ies of Internal Revenue Service Publication 17 to tax-
payers 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 wide-
ly 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 Publi-
cation 17 as it transitions to a fully electronic tax filing 
system, including an electronic system for providing in-
structions 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 bur-
dens 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 Rev-
enue Service Publication 17 is a basic taxpayer service 
that the Internal Revenue Service is ignoring; 
Whereas the Internal Revenue Service should prioritize its re-
sources on areas that are critical to the ability of tax-
payers 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 evi-
dence of the need for comprehensive tax reform that sim-
plifies 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 cur-
rently make up Publication 17: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives urges 
the Internal Revenue Service to— 
(1) resume printing copies of Internal Revenue 
Service Publication 17; and 
(2) provide free copies of such publication to 
the taxpayers of the United States. 
Æ 
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