House committee launches IRS whistleblower portal in ramp-up of oversight

Zachary Halaschak

January 25, 02:59 PM January 25, 02:59 PM

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Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) announced on Wednesday the launch of an online portal for IRS employees to report malfeasance directly to Congress.

The portal features an area for whistleblowers to provide their contact information, as well as information regarding any wrongdoing within the Internal Revenue Service or about the misuse of taxpayer data. The website encourages complainants not to use work resources to fill out the form in order to protect the line of communication.

“Unfortunately, it has become clear that relying on the IRS to be forthcoming about its failures or outright abuses of taxpayer confidence is insufficient to ensure much-needed, aggressive oversight of the agency,” said Smith. “By providing IRS personnel with a safe, secure, and confidential way to provide information that might be vital to protecting taxpayers, the Ways and Means Committee is delivering on our commitment to hold government accountable.”

The launch of the portal portends a period of aggressive oversight for the tax agency. Republicans taking over leadership after the midterm elections have made it clear that the IRS would be targeted for investigations. Smith has told the Washington Examiner that IRS oversight would be a top priority while he leads the powerful committee.

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Curbing the growth of the IRS became a focus for the GOP since the Inflation Reduction Act, enacted in August by President Joe Biden and the Democratic-majority Congress, provided $80 billion to hire 87,000 new IRS employees. The first piece of legislation passed by the new House was dialing that back.

Smith has also expressed frustration about the still-unexplained leak last year of the tax returns of thousands of the nation’s wealthiest people. The leak happened while the Biden administration was pushing tax policy and proposals on the basis that the wealthiest people in the United States are not paying their fair share in taxes.

Along with the launch of the portal, Smith sent a letter to the acting IRS commissioner notifying him and the agency of the move. In the letter, he requested that all IRS employees be notified of the new resource and set a deadline for the agency to confirm employees have been notified.

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“We welcome and encourage IRS employees to use this portal to share any information they believe should be brought to the attention of the Committee as it conducts its oversight responsibilities,” the letter reads.