Acting Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Danny Werfel told a congressional committee he is working to restore trust in the beleaguered U.S. tax agency.
Werfel today made his first appearance before a congressional panel since President Barack Obama appointed him to the post May 22. Werfel is charged with fixing damage caused by the revelation that the IRS applied tougher scrutiny to small-government groups applying for tax-exempt status.
“The agency stands ready to confront the problems that occurred, hold accountable those who acted inappropriately, be open about what happened and permanently fix these problems so that such missteps do not occur again,” he said at a hearing of a House Appropriations subcommittee.
Lawmakers of both parties criticized the treatment of tax- exempt groups and an inspector general’s report about spending on IRS conferences, which will be released tomorrow and is expected to focus on a 2010 conference in California that included parody videos and expensive hotel suites.
“It seems we have a new misstep every day at the IRS,” said Representative Hal Rogers, a Kentucky Republican and chairman of the full appropriations committee. “I’m very troubled at what may come to light next.”
Rogers said Congress may further restrict the IRS’s funding.
Six congressional committees have opened inquiries and the Justice Department is pursuing a criminal probe.
Werfel said he plans to produce a report by the end of the month detailing his progress. He has replaced several top managers at the agency.
© Copyright 2025 Bloomberg News. All rights reserved.