WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) this week met with the Internal Revenue Service Acting Commissioner Daniel Werfel to discuss a number of issues including the IRS’ attempt to audit veteran service organizations in Kansas and across the country.

“This week, I had the opportunity to sit down with Commissioner Werfel to discuss the potential IRS targeting of veteran service organizations,” Sen. Moran said. “While I was pleased to hear Mr. Werfel’s assurance that the IRS is not making a concerted effort to target veteran service organizations, I still believe the IRS must provide greater clarification. It is my hope that for the sake of our veterans these legitimate concerns are quickly alleviated and fears of IRS audits put at ease. I will continue to pursue this issue closely to make certain the IRS is not overstepping its bounds of privacy and respect for America’s veterans.”

Last month, Sen. Moran sent a letter to Commissioner Werfel questioning potential IRS audits of veteran service organizations. Sen. Moran had significant concerns when he learned that an American Legion Post had been fined $12,000 by the IRS for presumably failing to supply military service documents to satisfy IRS auditor requirements. However, the military service of veterans is already verified upon application and admittance to an American Legion post. It appeared the IRS was trying to solve a problem that does not exist. Sen. Moran never received a written response from the Commissioner, and consequently asked for a face to face meeting at the earliest opportunity.

Mr. Werfel agreed that the discrepancy between the 2011 Internal Revenue Manual and the 2013 Treasury Tax Guide for Veterans’ Organizations is confusing and needs to be resolved as quickly as possible. Sen. Moran requested that the IRS works to better communicate with the American Legion and other veteran service organizations to clarify requirements.

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