Ranking Member Hoyer Statement on Tax Day

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee released the following statement on Tax Day, April 15, 2026:

"Each year, Americans dutifully file their taxes on April 15 and, in so doing, ensure our troops are paid and protected, homeless veterans can find shelter, hungry children receive nutritious meals, criminals are brought to justice, and we can invest in infrastructure and economic opportunities that grow jobs and ensure economic prosperity. Former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. said that 'taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.' Today, however, thanks to President Trump's misguided policies, Americans are paying more to get less.

"Last year, Republicans promised their tax law would provide working families more than $1,000 back in their refunds. Now, we've seen that figure is less than $350. Moreover, because of this Administration’s reckless decisions, including tariffs and a war of choice, Americans are paying more for gas at the pump, fertilizer for their farms, electricity to power their homes and businesses, groceries to feed their families, and clothes for their children. The President and Congressional Republicans promised the American people that their tax law would lead to higher take-home pay – instead, both the federal budget and Americans’ wallets are under even greater pressure.

"Consistently, Republicans have gutted the budget for the Internal Revenue Service, limiting its ability to meet its mission of enforcing the tax laws that Congress passes. The result is a reduced capacity to hold those with complex filings accountable - the wealthy, partnerships, and corporations. Rather than make it easier to file, President Trump, Elon Musk, and this Administration killed Direct File, developed by the IRS to make filing free, easy, and secure. 

“The American people expect high customer service, privacy protections, and the ability to meet their legal obligations accurately with ease – which this Administration is not delivering. Now, the President’s FY 2027 budget request proposes even deeper cuts to its enforcement operations, which will inevitably lead to lost revenues through increased tax evasion and avoidance. Those revenues, instead, could have been used to deliver the benefits and services American taxpayers expect from their government.