In further changes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Appeals Division, it was recently announced that Donna C. Hansberry will replace Kirsten B. Wielobob as chief of IRS Appeals. Ms. Hansberry is currently the deputy commissioner of the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. She started as a trial attorney for the IRS Office of Chief Counsel in 1987 and was previously assistant to the commissioner (attorney-advisor for tax). Ms. Weilobob will move to the position of deputy commissioner for services and enforcement.

There have been very significant changes to IRS Appeals during the last several months that challenge whether the division will continue to be a successful tool for taxpayers and the IRS to resolve difficult cases that are stuck at the Exam Division. The “changing of the guard” may be a sign of more changes to come. Indeed, Ms. Hansberry was formerly a trial attorney and was in charge of the Joint International Tax Shelter Information Centre, director of global high wealth and abusive transactions. For prior coverage on changes at IRS Appeals, see our previous articles:

“More Changes to IRS Appeals Procedures”

“IRS Appeals – Changes Afoot?”

“IRS Updates Rules Regarding Appeals Conferences”