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What the AICPA said about the Senate vote
In a statement published October 1, 2026, AICPA President and CEO Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, welcomed the vote. “The Senate’s passage of the TAS Act is a significant achievement for taxpayers, tax professionals and the integrity of our tax administration system,” he said. The AICPA said it would support further efforts with House members to advance the legislation. AICPA statement
The AICPA’s announcement reflects the professional association’s support for the bill; it is not an independent assessment of whether the proposals will deliver their intended results.
What changes the TAS Act proposes
The AICPA highlighted measures in several areas. The Senate-reported text provides examples of how some proposed services could work, though that text is distinct from the amended H.R. 5349 passed by the Senate. Any proposed requirements remain contingent on enactment and implementation.
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| Area | Proposed change |
|---|---|
| Digital access and correspondence | Expanded electronic access to taxpayer information, digitized correspondence and returns, and improved online account functions. The Senate-reported text describes a website or mobile application where taxpayers and authorized representatives could view IRS documents and respond by uploading documents. Senate-reported S. 5441 text |
| Phone service | More callback technology. The Senate-reported text includes a target for calls unanswered within five minutes by calendar year 2028. This is a proposed target, not a current IRS service guarantee. Senate-reported S. 5441 text |
| Backlog visibility | More visibility into IRS processing backlogs, as emphasized by the AICPA. AICPA statement |
| Economic hardship | A process to identify taxpayers reasonably likely to experience economic hardship and provide information about collection alternatives. Senate-reported S. 5441 text |
| Preparer oversight | Measures involving oversight of paid tax return preparers, as highlighted by the AICPA. AICPA statement |
The Senate debate also addressed the IRS Independent Office of Appeals, the Taxpayer Advocate Service, Tax Court procedures, low-income taxpayer clinics and unauthorized disclosures of taxpayer information. Those subjects appear in the congressional proceedings and should not be mistaken for a list drawn from the AICPA’s statement. Congressional Record
How broad is the proposal?
The Senate Finance Committee characterized the TAS Act as a package of 65 bipartisan reforms. It also reported that the committee had previously advanced the bill by a 26-1 vote and that the National Taxpayer Advocate endorsed it. Those figures and the endorsement are the committee’s account. Senate Finance Committee release
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What happens next—and what taxpayers should know
The Senate passed the amended H.R. 5349 on September 30, 2026, by unanimous consent after agreeing to a Crapo-Wyden substitute amendment. As of October 3, the measure still needed House action. Senate passage did not enact the proposals, and the future service changes described in the bill should not be treated as available IRS features or present-day taxpayer rights. Congressional Record
If enacted, the bill’s effects would also depend on implementation. The AICPA’s stated benefits are expectations from an organization advocating for the legislation, not proof that service improvements or other outcomes have already occurred.
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