IRS Chief Didn’t Tell Congress About Tea Party Targeting

[ProSense]

IRS Chief Didn’t Tell Congress About Tea Party Targeting

STEPHEN OHLEMACHER-

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress was not told tea party groups were being inappropriately targeted by the Internal Revenue Service, even after acting agency Chief Steven Miller had been briefed on the matter.

Miller was first informed on May, 3, 2012, that applications for tax-exempt status by tea party groups were inappropriately singled out for extra scrutiny, the IRS said Monday...Miller wrote letters to members of Congress to explain the process of reviewing applications for tax-exempt status without disclosing that tea party groups had been targeted. On July 25, 2012, Miller testified before the House Ways and Means oversight subcommittee, but again did not mention the additional scrutiny — despite being asked about it.

<...>

Miller became acting commissioner in November, after Commissioner Douglas Shulman completed his five-year term. Shulman had been appointed by President George W. Bush.

On June 29, 2011, Lois G. Lerner, who heads the IRS division that oversees tax-exempt organizations, learned at a meeting that groups were being targeted, according to a draft of the report by the Treasury inspector general for tax administration...Lerner was told that groups with “Tea Party,” ”Patriot” or “9/12 Project” in their names were being flagged for additional and often burdensome scrutiny, the report says. Lerner instructed agents to change the criteria for flagging groups “immediately.”

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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/irs-tea-party-targeting.php

So Miller was briefed on May 2012, weeks before the House Republican hearing and nearly a year after the issue had been addressed in June 2011? Why would Miller's letters mention a process that was no longer being used? Why was Congress holding hearings to address a few Tea Party complaints?

Small Problem With Rubio Calling For Obama To Fire Commissioner Of IRS
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022836843

IRS mess isn't going away anytime soon
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022840885

[ProSense]

1. Kick! n/t

[meow2u3]

2. The IRS didn't tell Congress about the other groups targeted, either

So why is the Tea Party whining about being singled out when in fact they weren't? Are they just seeking preferential tax treatment?

I'm not buying that narrative that the teabagger groups were singled out just because they're RW groups.

[JustAnotherGen]

3. Just gave you your fifth on this

[ProSense]

4. Thanks. n/t

[summerschild]

5. K&R