PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.

Taxpayer Bill of Rights 3

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 11, 1998

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Taxpayer Rights Title II: Taxpayer Education, Notice, and Resources Taxpayer Bill of Rights 3 - Title I: Taxpayer Rights - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to incorporate (taxpayer) examination selection criteria into a specified taxpayer rights statement. (Sec. 102) Amends the Internal Revenue Code to authorize civil damages for negligence in collection actions. (Sec. 103) Directs the Secretary to develop expedited freedom of information procedures for certain high-profile requests of public concern. (Sec. 104) Eliminates the penalty for failure to file or pay while a payment installment agreement is in effect. (Sec. 105) Grants certain taxpayers the right to an installment agreement for tax liabilities under $10,000. (Sec. 106) Requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to: (1) develop procedures to catalog and review taxpayer complaints; and (2) establish a related toll-free telephone number. (Sec. 107) Suspends the statute of limitations for filing a refund claim for certain taxpayers who are unable to manage their financial affairs because of a medical impairment. (Sec. 108) Prohibits the use of financial status or economic reality techniques without a reasonable indication that a likelihood of unreported income exists. (Sec. 109) Requires deficiency notices to specify deadlines for filing Tax Court petitions. (Sec. 110) Authorizes a refund or credit by the Tax Court in certain deficiency proceedings or in instances of an uncontested overpayment. (Sec. 111) Requires IRS employees to be instructed that they may not coerce a taxpayer through audit threat into a Tip Reporting Alternative Commitment Agreement. (Sec. 112) Requires: (1) court approval for IRS seizure of taxpayer property; and (2) for seizure of a principal residence, a showing that all other payment options have been exhausted and that a judicial writ of execution has been issued. (Sec. 113) Directs the Taxpayer Advocate, in determining whether to issue a taxpayer assistance order, to consider whether: (1) there is an immediate threat of adverse action; (2) there has been resolution delay; and (3) the taxpayer will suffer irreparable injury. (Sec. 114) Increases the amount exempt from levy for: (1) fuel, provisions, furniture, and personal effects; and (2) books and tools of a trade, business, or profession. (Sec. 115) Directs the Secretary to develop and publish guidelines for national and local allowances to ensure that taxpayers entering into offers-in-compromise have adequate means for basic living expenses. (Sec. 116) Increases the overpayment rate for noncorporation taxpayers. (Sec. 117) Prohibits levy on a taxpayer's wages or property: (1) while an offer-in-compromise or installment agreement is pending or being appealed; or (2) if requested by the taxpayer for certain assessments. (Sec. 118) Applies specified fair debt collection practices to the IRS, and subjects their violation to existing civil action provisions. (Sec. 119) Allows civil actions by persons other than taxpayers for unauthorized IRS collection activities. (Sec. 120) Authorizes the Secretary to enter into administrative agreements with State tax authorities. Title II: Taxpayer Education, Notice, and Resources - Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) explanation of taxpayer rights; (2) toll-free customer telephone lines; (3) taxpayer interview procedures; (4) explanation of joint and several liability and of appeals and collection process; and (5) statute of limitation extensions. (Sec. 208) Provides for independent operation of local Taxpayer Advocate offices.

Read the summary on Congress.gov
PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

Who introduced it

Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA] · R–IA

Committees

  • Finance Committee
3 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

  2. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S1779-1780)

  3. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze S.1747 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.

View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.1747 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.

View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.1747 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.

View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.1747 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.

View full prompt & sources