Hank Investigates: Tax Target (Follow-up)

Now the new DOR commissioner says the people behind these plans have been transferred, and DOR employees will never write a document like this again.

Commissioner Fred Laskey
"The rhetoric and language in there was unacceptable! I would like to state that virtually the entire management of the top level of the audit department has changed since that was written... That wont happen again!"

In fact Laskey says if you're one of the three million taxpayers whose state income taxes will be in DOR hands this year, there are even more changes in the works. A powerful new taxpayer advocate--reporting directly to the commissioner--will soon handle taxpayer complaints.

Laskey
"When a taxpayer calls and has a gripe, they'll know that its in the upper levels of the department right to the top of the department and that were paying attention to their concern and complaints."

Almost thirty thousand state income tax forms are now being processed every day--for those who apprehensively await the verdict of the taxman--Laskey also promises he's retraining tax employees and retooling collection procedures--all to dump the perception of an unfair and aggressive "taxachusetts."

Hank
"Is this a kinder, gentler DOR?"

Laskey
"Yeah, I think it is a fairer and more evenhanded Revenue Department."