Connecticut House Bill HB05175

Connecticut 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/11/26
• Refer: 2/11/26

Caption

An Act Concerning Funding To Hire Auditors At The Department Of Revenue Services.

Impact

If enacted, HB05175 will significantly strengthen the financial oversight within the state's revenue collection system. The hiring of additional auditors is anticipated to improve efficiency and effectiveness in identifying and recovering unpaid taxes, thus potentially increasing the state’s revenue. This increased capacity could also lead to a more equitable tax system as it aims to promote compliance among taxpayers.

Summary

House Bill 05175 seeks to address the issue of tax collection in the state by appropriating funds to hire additional auditors for the Department of Revenue Services (DRS). The bill proposes a specific dollar amount, justified by the legislative members' aim to close the state's tax gap, which refers to the difference between the taxes owed and the taxes paid. With fifty new in-house auditors, the DRS is expected to enhance its capacity to collect overdue taxes and assess necessary penalties and interest on tax delinquency.

Contention

While the intention of hiring additional auditors may be viewed positively as a means to strengthen state revenue generation, there are potential points of contention that may arise. Opponents of the bill could argue about the implications of increased scrutiny on taxpayers and concerns over the management of state funds in hiring additional staff. Concerns may also be raised regarding whether the investment in auditors effectively translates to the hoped-for revenue gains, as well as the impact on businesses and individuals perceiving increased audits as a punitive measure.