PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Sep 15, 2025
Fair and Accountable IRS Reviews Act
This bill provides that an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employee’s immediate supervisor for purposes of approving certain federal tax penalties is the person to whom such employee reports. The bill also provides that an immediate supervisor’s approval of certain federal tax penalties must be obtained (in writing) before any written communication related to such penalties is sent to the taxpayer.
As background, current law requires that the initial determination by an IRS employee to assess certain federal tax penalties be approved (in writing) by such employee’s immediate supervisor (or a designated higher-level official). Under IRS regulations, an immediate supervisor is any individual with responsibility to review another individual’s proposed federal tax penalties (without such proposal being subject to an intermediary’s approval). The IRS regulations also establish requirements for when such approval must be obtained based on whether the federal tax penalty is subject to pre-assessment review or raised in Tax Court proceedings.
People & committees
Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6] · R–WI
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4940-4941)
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4940-4941)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5346.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4940-4942)
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 272.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-318.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-318.
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.
Source last updated: Oct 31, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
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Analyze H.R.5346 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.5346 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.5346 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.5346 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.