This is something that sounds pretty easy and obvious on the surface. But there are some very significant practical problems that rule it out.

It is relatively easy for the IRS to verify the returns and reported income of taxpayers whose income results from wages, interest and dividends, and who take the standard deduction, who comprise the majority of taxpayers, ... It is harder, and often requires audits, to verify the income of taxpayers with other forms of income and deductions.

Inflation, on the surface, does not appear to be a concern, but it's obvious that prices for some items are rising. It's inevitable that when people are armed with fatter paychecks and when companies are spending more to produce goods and services, prices are going to rise.

Inflation, on the surface, does not appear to be a concern, but it's obvious that prices for some items are rising, ... It's inevitable that when people are armed with fatter paychecks and when companies are spending more to produce goods and services, prices are going to rise.

We take our responsibility to protect taxpayer information very seriously, ... We plan to continue working with GAO to do everything possible to ensure the security of taxpayer information and payments.

I think the significance of today is an increased commitment to being more accessible to taxpayers and moving from a focus on doing our job internally to helping taxpayers meet their obligations under the tax code,