View original document

The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.

5/5/2020

Fact Sheet on IRS Report: “Charting a Path Forward at the IRS: Initial Assessment and Plan of Action”

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Press Center

Fact Sheet on IRS Report: “Charting a Path Forward at the IRS: Initial Assessment
and Plan of Action”
6/24/2013

Read the full report at IRS.gov
WASHINGTON - In response to the May 14, 2013 audit report from the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA), the
President selected Daniel Werfel to lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The Secretary of the Treasury then provided three
objectives for Mr. Werfel's first 30 days on the job. First, Mr. Werfel was to begin holding accountable anyone responsible for improper
conduct described in the TIGTA audit report. Second, Mr. Werfel was to begin to implement, fully and promptly, all nine of the
recommendations in the TIGTA audit report. Mr. Werfel also was to examine and correct any failures in the administration of 501(c)(4)
applications that allowed this behavior to happen. Third, Mr. Werfel was to conduct a broader review to see whether the conduct reflected
larger management failures and cultural issues at the IRS that require systemic change. Mr. Werfel was to take action and implement the
necessary changes. Below are key findings resulting from Mr. Werfel's 30-day review.

FINDINGS

ACTIONS

Management and judgment failures contributed to
inappropriate treatment of certain taxpayers
applying for tax-exempt status.

New leadership has been installed at all 5 levels of
management responsible for tax-exempt
applications, including top IRS leadership.

Current fact-gathering has found no evidence of
intentional wrongdoing.

A newly created Accountability Review Board will
recommend within 60 days any additional personnel
actions necessary to hold accountable those
responsible for the findings in the TIGTA audit
report.

Current fact-gathering has found no evidence of
involvement from anyone outside of the IRS.

Current fact-gathering has found no evidence of
inappropriate criteria in other IRS business unit
operations.

The use of BOLO lists has been suspended.
The nine TIGTA recommendations, along with
additional actions, will help correct the problems
identified in the TIGTA audit report.

The IRS Commissioner's Office and other leaders
across the IRS do not always have sufficient
knowledge of emerging risks.

To clear the current backlog, a voluntary, selfcertification process is now available to expedite
those tax-exemption applicants who have waited
longer than 120 days for a decision.

A new process will assess criteria and screening
procedures across the IRS to identify emerging
risks.
A new Enterprise Risk Management Program will
design a framework for identifying risk areas across
the IRS, so that IRS leadership and external
stakeholders are aware of such issues.

https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl1991.aspx

1/2

5/5/2020

Fact Sheet on IRS Report: “Charting a Path Forward at the IRS: Initial Assessment and Plan of Action”

Existing mechanisms to assist taxpayers, such as
the Taxpayer Advocacy Service, are neither well
understood nor sufficiently leveraged.

The IRS will initiate new education and outreach
regarding the role of the National Taxpayer
Advocate.

###I

https://www.treasury.gov/press-center/press-releases/Pages/jl1991.aspx

2/2