It’s Tax Day and The Post Recaps IRS Private Collection Agency Program

It’s April 15 and many taxpayers are rushing to meet the deadline to file their individual tax returns. The Washington Post opted to run on its front page a story on the $37 million the IRS says it will lose on its private debt collection program.

The article recaps much of the already reported debate between opponents and proponents of the program. The story cites program opponents the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents IRS employees; Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.), who leads a group of 23 Senators who have co-sponsored a bill to repeal the program; and IRS Taxpayer Advocate Nina Olson. They point to the $100 million already spent on the program, and the fact that the private collectors have gathered only about half of that through their efforts.