Dupage Policy Journal

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Dist. 5), co-chair of the Transparency Caucus, and three House colleagues introduced the bipartisan Taxpayer Receipt Act on Wednesday, which would provide all taxpayers with  itemized receipts detailing where taxpayers' dollars will be spent, as well as how much money the federal government is borrowing in their name.

The bill would require a written receipt for those filing paper tax returns and an electronic receipt for those who file electronically. The receipt would display a full breakdown of each individual's actual contributions to Social Security, defense spending, Medicare and other destinations; the total amount of federal debt at that time and an indication of how much money the federal government has borrowed per citizen.

Reps. Randy Forbes (R-VA), Jim Cooper (D-TN), and Jim Renacci (R-OH) joined Quigley in introducing the Taxpayer Receipt Act.

“Just as our grocery receipts keep us accountable for our purchases, a tax receipt will keep our government accountable for our federal spending,” Quigley said. “This tax receipt will not only provide citizens with a better understanding of how their money is being spent, but move us toward more government transparency, giving power to the people and accessibility to the federal process.”

Forbes said there's an everyday precedent at work in the bill.

“When you spend even $5 at the grocery store, you receive an itemized receipt detailing what you spent,” Forbes said. “Americans have a right to expect no less accountability for the tax dollars they pay to the federal government. The Taxpayer Receipt Act is a tangible way to hold Washington responsible for its spending habits by allowing each American to see exactly where his or her hard-earned dollars are going and what various government functions or programs they are funding.”