The IRS is still subjecting conservative groups to an extra degree of scrutiny.
COMMITTEE: If I could just follow up. So in the past when the BOLO existed, they would automatically go to Group 7822 [secondary screening group], correct?
IRS AGENT: Yes, uh huh. Prior to the 7823 being created.
COMMITTEE: Right. Replacing 7822. And now the process is sort of, as you say, out of an abundance of caution if it’s a political advocacy case, including Tea Party cases, you will take it to your manager and then your manager will say send it over to 7823. Right?
IRS AGENT: That’s correct.
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COMMITTEE: If you saw — I am asking this currently, if today if a Tea Party case, a group — a case from a Tea Party group came in to your desk, you reviewed the file and there was no evidence of political activity, would you potentially approve that case? Is that something you would do?
IRS AGENT: At this point I would send it to secondary screening, political advocacy.
COMMITTEE:
So you would treat a Tea Party group as a political advocacy case even if there was no evidence of political activity on the application. Is that right?
IRS AGENT:
Based on my current manager’s direction, uh-huh.
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