On Tuesday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bipartisan reform package aimed at improving taxpayer services and increasing transparency and accountability at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Within the legislation, known as the Taxpayer First Act, was a provision introduced by Rep. Terri Sewell, D-AL, and Rep. Jason Smith, R-MO, called the Preserving Taxpayers’ Rights Act, which upholds taxpayers’ legal right to have cases heard by the IRS Office of Appeals.

Further, the provision defined which IRS cases can be designated for litigation and when liability assessments can be levied and eliminates the use of outside law firms for audits.

“Tax season is often confusing and overly burdensome… I am glad that we are taking steps today to make the tax filing process more efficient, fair and secure for the American people,” Sewell said during statements on the House floor. “Families in my district and across the country will benefit from this bill codifying the Free File program, shielding certain low-income households from private debt collectors and making more resources available online.”

Sewell said the legislation “gives taxpayers a legal right to impartial, timely and efficient dispute resolution” and “protects taxpayers by clarifying the limited scope of cases which can go to litigation and it prevents the IRS from outsourcing audits of private taxpayers to outside law firms.”