September 15, 2009

Commissioners Douglas Shulman
Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service
500 N. Capitol Street, NW
Washington, DC 20221-0003

Dear Commissioner Shulman,

We are writing you today to encourage you to sever all ties between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). Currently, ACORN serves as partner with the IRS to assist low and middle class individuals with free tax preparation. Recently, however, news reports have brought to light that certain ACORN employees on multiple occasions have been advising their clients on methods of defrauding the IRS and the American taxpayers all while concealing and promoting other illegal activities.

Despite these alleged abuses, the IRS helpline continues to refer individuals to ACORN offices for tax preparation consultation and continues to offer an implicit endorsement of their work. In fact, Ron Smith, IRS Chief of Community and Volunteer Partnership, states on ACORN's website that "ACORN has had the most significant growth of all of our national partners." It is alarming to think that one the IRS's largest and rapidly growing partners in a tax preparation program allegedly employs individuals who encourage tax fraud.

The reports and video footage of these violations were so severe that the United States Census Bureau has severed their relationship with the ACORN organization. We call on you to do the same and launch an immediate investigation into their alleged tax fraud. We eagerly await your reply.

Sincerely,

Rep. John Boehner, Republican Leader
Rep. Eric Cantor, Republican Whip
Rep. Dave Camp, Ranking Member Ways and Means