Tax News

CCH (cch.taxgroup.com) reports:

  IRS Commissioner Douglas H. Shulman on April 20 announced changes in the leadership of the Large and Mid-Size Business (LMS Division, the Tax Exempt and Government Entities (TE/GE) Division, and the Office of Appeals. In another personnel matter, Edward Kleinbard, chief of staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), is leaving the JCT on May 15, a committee spokesperson confirmed on April 22.

  Steven Miller, currently TE/GE commissioner, will become the new commissioner of LMSB, replacing Frank Ng, who is retiring in June 2009 after 36 years at the IRS. Sarah Hall Ingram, the current chief of Appeals, will become TE/GE commissioner. Replacing Ingram will be Diane Ryan, who has been with Appeals since 1982.

  "These three people have long and distinguished track records as leaders inside the IRS," Shulman said. "They bring a strong combination of institutional knowledge and insight to these critical positions."

  Shulman also praised the presidential appointment of William J. Wilkins as the next IRS chief counsel (TAXDAY, 2009/04/20, M.1). "[Wilkins'] intellectual leadership and vast experience both in government and private practice make him eminently qualified for the position," Shulman said. "I look forward to Bill joining the senior IRS team to lead this critically important part of the IRS once he has been confirmed by the Senate." Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., also expressed his support for the appointment and his confidence in Wilkins' professional achievement and ability.

  Steve Miller has been TE/GE commissioner since 2004. He led the Exempt Organizations office beginning in 1999. He also served in IRS Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations, the IRS Chief Counsel'S Office, and as a staff member of the Joint Committee on Taxation.

  Ingram has been chief of Appeals since 2006 and was deputy commissioner of TE/GE starting in 2004. Before that, she was associate chief counsel, TE/GE. She has held a number of positions relating to employee benefits and exempt organizations.

  Ryan currently is the director of technical services for Appeals and has held a number of management positions with Appeals. Before joining Appeals she was a special agent with the IRS's Criminal Investigation Division.

  Kleinbard plans to teach at the University of Southern California's Gould School of Law. He has been chief of staff since September 2007. Before joining the JCT, he practiced law with Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP.

  By Brant Goldwyn, CCH News Staff