Barrasso co-sponsors bipartisan bill requiring more transparency from the IRS

JACKSON (WNE) — Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., recently co-sponsored the “Taxpayer Notification and Privacy Act,” which he said will give additional protection to taxpayers by requiring more transparency from the Internal Revenue Service.

Current law requires the IRS to notify taxpayers before contacting third parties — such as banks or employers — when investigating whether a person owes taxes. But the IRS is not required to disclose to taxpayers what specific information it is seeking.

The bipartisan legislation introduced by Barrasso and Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., would require the IRS to disclose exactly what information it is seeking from third parties and give taxpayers 45 days to provide that information directly to the IRS themselves.

“Wyoming taxpayers shouldn’t have to worry about the Internal Revenue Service soliciting personal financial information behind their backs,” Barrasso said in a press release. “They deserve to have the option to provide this sensitive information to the IRS directly.”

He said that by providing that opportunity, the bipartisan legislation will safeguard the reputation of taxpayers and small business owners across the country.

In Wyoming, many people rely on community banks and credit unions. When the IRS uses these local financial institutions as contacts, it can damage relationships within tight-knit communities, according to Barrasso’s office. There are more than 70,000 small businesses in Wyoming that rely on strong relationships with local banks, suppliers and customers. These could be jeopardized by unexpected third parties.

“I’m always focused on securing stronger consumer protections for Georgians,” Sen. Warnock said. “I’m proud to partner with Sen. Barrasso to ensure the IRS is transparent with taxpayers and that my constituents have the tools to protect their reputations.”

This story was published on August 9, 2025.