New research finds that for each extra dollar the IRS spends auditing wealthy taxpayers, it can collect more than $12 in return.

Imagine investing $80 over a decade and getting a $180 return. Pretty good deal, right? Now multiply those figures by a billion dollars and you get an idea of how much American citizens will benefit from additional federal funds being allocated to the Internal Revenue Service.

Republicans have complained that hiring more IRS agents means that more middle-class Americans will end up being audited. The IRS has instead said that they're struggling to go after the wealthiest taxpayers because it means a protracted legal battle and court fees. 

U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst loves to talk about “making them squeal” in Washington, D.C.

Frequently, the Iowa Republican will target an often-obscure part of the federal budget and complain about waste.

Lately, the Internal Revenue Service has been in her sights.

A bill supported by Democrats and Republicans would make permanent a program that bars the IRS from ever developing its own online tax filing service.