§ 8021. Powers

(a) To obtain data and inspect income returns

For powers of the Joint Committee to obtain and inspect income returns, see section 6103(f).

(b) Relating to hearings and sessions The Joint Committee, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized—

(1) To hold

To hold hearings and to sit and act at such places and times;

(2) To require attendance of witnesses and production of books

To require by subpoena (to be issued under the signature of the chairman or vice chairman) or otherwise the attendance of such witnesses and the production of such books, papers, and documents;

(3) To administer oaths

To administer such oaths; and

(4) To take testimony

To take such testimony;

as it deems advisable.

(c) To procure printing and binding

The Joint Committee, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to have such printing and binding done as it deems advisable.

(d) To make expenditures

The Joint Committee, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to make such expenditures as it deems advisable.

(e) Investigations

The Joint Committee shall review all requests (other than requests by the chairman or ranking member of a committee or subcommittee) for investigations of the Internal Revenue Service by the Government Accountability Office, and approve such requests when appropriate, with a view towards eliminating overlapping investigations, ensuring that the Government Accountability Office has the capacity to handle the investigation, and ensuring that investigations focus on areas of primary importance to tax administration.

(f) Relating to joint reviews

(1) In general

The Chief of Staff, and the staff of the Joint Committee, shall provide such assistance as is required for joint reviews described in paragraph (2).

(2) Joint reviews

Before June 1 of each calendar year after 1998 and before 2005, there shall be a joint review of the strategic plans and budget for the Internal Revenue Service and such other matters as the Chairman of the Joint Committee deems appropriate. Such joint review shall be held at the call of the Chairman of the Joint Committee and shall include two members of the majority and one member of the minority from each of the Committees on Finance, Appropriations, and Governmental Affairs of the Senate, and the Committees on Ways and Means, Appropriations, and Government Reform and Oversight of the House of Representatives.

(Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 927; Pub. L. 94–455, title XIX, § 1907(a)(3), Oct. 4, 1976, 90 Stat. 1835; Pub. L. 100–647, title I, § 1018(s)(1), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3586; Pub. L. 105–206, title IV, § 4001(a), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 783; Pub. L. 108–311, title III, § 321(a), Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1182; Pub. L. 109–135, title IV, § 412(rr)(5), Dec. 21, 2005, 119 Stat. 2640.)

Amendments

Amendments

2005—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 109–135 substituted “Government Accountability Office” for “General Accounting Office” in two places.

2004—Subsec. (f)(2). Pub. L. 108–311 substituted “2005” for “2004”.

1998—Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 105–206 added subsecs. (e) and (f).

1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–647 substituted “6103(f)” for “6103(d)”.

1976—Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 94–455 struck out par. (2) relating to limitation on cost of stenographic services in reporting hearings.

Change Of Name

Change of Name

Committee on Governmental Affairs of Senate changed to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of Senate, effective Jan. 4, 2005, by Senate Resolution No. 445, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Oct. 9, 2004.

Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Government Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Jan. 6, 1999. Committee on Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.

Effective Date Of Amendment

Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Pub. L. 105–206, title IV, § 4001(b), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 784, provided that:

“(1) Subsection (e) of section 8021 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by subsection (a) of this section [amending this section], shall apply to requests made after the date of the enactment of this Act [July 22, 1998].

“(2) Subsection (f) of such section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.”

Effective Date of 1988 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–647 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 1019(a) of Pub. L. 100–647, set out as a note under section 1 of this title.

Effective Date of 1976 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 94–455 effective on first day of first month which begins more than 90 days after Oct. 4, 1976, see section 1907(c) of Pub. L. 94–455, set out as a note under section 8001 of this title.

Miscellaneous

Time for Joint Review

Pub. L. 108–311, title III, § 321(c), Oct. 4, 2004, 118 Stat. 1182, provided that: “The joint review required by section 8021(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to be made before June 1, 2004, shall be treated as timely if made before June 1, 2005.”