Commissioner of Internal Revenue Archives

National Taxpayer Advocate Reminds Congress of IRS Deficiencies

by Kevin Spencer and McDermott Will & Emery | Apr 18, 2018 | IRS Appeals, IRS Guidance, Uncategorized

On April 17, 2018, the Taxpayer Advocate, Nina E. Olson, testified before a Congressional Oversight Committee regarding on-going challenges to the administration of an efficient and effective tax system. Ms. Olson runs the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS), an independent office within the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Taxpayer Advocate is appointed by and reports directly to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. The office was created under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, which became law on July 30, 1996. The office replaced the IRS Office of the Ombudsman. (more…)

David Kautter Named Acting IRS Commissioner

by Editorial Team | Oct 26, 2017 | Uncategorized

Today, President Trump announced his intention to designate David Kautter to be the Acting Commissioner of Internal Revenue effective November 13, 2017. John Koskinen, the current Commissioner of Internal Revenue, is near the end of his term, which ends on November 12, 2017. The Commissioner’s role is to preside over the nation’s tax system and manage an agency consisting of more than 80,000 employees with a budget in excess of $11 billion.

Mr. Kautter has been the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury (Tax Policy) since August 2017. Prior to that, he was the Leader of the Washington National Tax practice at RSM US LLP. From 2011–2015, he was a Managing Director at American University, Kogod School of Business. From 1974–1979 and 1982–2010, he worked in a variety of roles with EY, ranging from compensation and benefits issues to domestic and international tax issues. From 1979–1982, he was Tax Legislative Counsel for former Senator John Danforth. Mr. Kautter graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame and obtained his law degree from Georgetown University. His LinkedIn profile can be viewed here.

Chief Counsel William J. Wilkins Resigns Effective January 20, 2017

by McDermott Will & Emery | Jan 12, 2017 | Uncategorized

William J. Wilkins has tendered his resignation as Chief Counsel effective as of noon on January 20, 2017. Mr. Wilkins was nominated by President Obama to replace Donald L. Korb, who resigned from the position in late 2008. Mr. Wilkins was confirmed by the Senate to serve as Chief Counsel in July 2009. Prior to becoming Chief Counsel, Mr. Wilkins was a partner with WilmerHale and previously worked for the United States Senate Committee on Finance and as an associate at King & Spalding. He previously served as Chair of the Section of Taxation of the American Bar Association. William M. Paul has been named as Acting Chief Counsel.

The Chief Counsel is appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and consent of the United States Senate. The Chief Counsel is the chief legal advisor to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue on all matters pertaining to the interpretation, administration and enforcement of the Internal Revenue Laws and provides legal guidance and interpretive advice to the Internal Revenue Service, Treasury and taxpayers.