IRS Commissioner Douglas Shulman does not file his own taxes in part because he believes the tax code is complex. During an interview on C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers” program that aired on
Sunday, Shulman said he uses a tax preparer for his own returns.
“I’ve used one for years. I find it convenient. I find the tax code complex so I use a preparer,” Shulman said.
Pressed on how he would make the tax code simpler, Shulman
responded, “I don’t write the tax laws. Congress writes the tax laws so
that’s a whole different discussion.”
The IRS this month announced it will be scrutinizing the tax
preparer industry. Shulman said the IRS is looking to set “a minimal
level of competence in the preparer community.”