U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr., chairman of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, this afternoon celebrated the announcement by the Biden administration that Internal Revenue Service (IRS) head Charles Rettig would be replaced at the top of the agency next month. IRS Deputy Commissioner Douglas O’Donnell will serve as Acting IRS Commissioner following the end of Rettig’s term on November 12.

“We are closer to the dawn of a new day at the IRS,” said Chairman Pascrell. “The Biden administration is right to end the term of Donald Trump’s IRS commissioner. Under Mr. Rettig’s failed leadership the agency and its dedicated employees have suffered through scandal and incompetence. Americans are fed up with late refunds, unanswered calls, and a two-tier tax system. I wish Mr. O’Donnell well as acting commissioner and look forward to working closely with him on implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. With Democrats delivering fresh funding to revitalize the IRS, we expect strong leadership to steer the IRS ship into clearer waters. Many Americans have lost confidence in the IRS. The agency must do a better job with the basics of being responsive to American taxpayers, as well as more to crack down on big business tax cheats and create greater fairness for regular Americans. This is a big moment for tax enforcement in America. I urge the President to expeditiously nominate a new commissioner and chief counsel who will be partners for the Biden administration in revitalizing our tax agency.” 

On May 13, 2022, Pascrell became the first member of Congress to demand Rettig’s dismissal. On July 7, 2022, Pascrell wrote to President Biden again calling for a new IRS Commissioner.  

As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Pascrell has been focused on fixing the IRS. On October 26, 2021, Pascrell demanded answers from Commissioner Rettig on systemic mail delays impacting IRS operations, tax filings, and refunds. Pascrell raised alarms on the slow start to the 2021 tax-filing season, and with Chairman Richard Neal (D-MA-01) castigated the IRS’s continually sending out erroneous notices to taxpayers.