Actually, it would have had no benefit whatsoever, and that's per the IRS. They looked at the estimated collections, calculated the associated processing costs,

Actually, it would have had no benefit whatsoever, and that's per the IRS. They looked at the estimated collections, calculated the associated processing costs, and concluded that the whole thing was a wash (or 'revenue-neutral', to use their language). However, it would have provided a solid bit of business for supporters of the accounting lobby, who have - I suspect - contributed to the campaigns of each and every one of those 17 who heard what the IRS had to say, and backed this anyway.