The Internal Revenue Service appointed Lia Colbert as the new commissioner of its Small Business Self-Employed Division to oversee the IRS’s collection activities and the examinations of most businesses in the U.S.
Colbert replaces Eric Hylton, the former SB/SE commissioner who left the agency about a year ago. The IRS also said Wednesday that Maha Williams has been selected to act as the deputy commissioner of SB/SE Examination, filling in for De Lon Harris, who is retiring at the end of April. Darren Guillot will continue to serve as deputy commissioner of SB/SE Collection and Operations Support. Harris and Guillot served as interim SB/SE co-commissioners after Hylton departed the IRS.
In her new role, Colbert will be responsible for providing executive leadership and direction to a staff of approximately 20,000 employees across the country.
"This is a crucial position for the IRS, and Lia’s background provides a unique perspective for this important role," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig in a statement. “This area is critical to ensuring fair enforcement of our nation’s tax laws while respecting taxpayer rights. In addition, this area is a key place for the agency to find ways to improve the taxpayer experience, not just for individuals who interact with this area but also for tax professionals that handle enforcement-related issues.”
Colbert and the SB/SE deputy commissioners will work closely with employees, managers and executives across the division to review current operations and develop strategies to improve them as the IRS comes under criticism for delays and backlogs at the agency triggered by the pandemic and recent congressional legislation.
Williams will be responsible for providing executive expertise and direction for special projects covering major segments of SB/SE including Campus Exam/Automated Under Reporter (AUR), Field Exam, Specialty Exam, Headquarters Exam and Exam Performance & Planning Analysis. She will also oversee the Office of Promoter Investigations (OPI), which supports IRS efforts in identifying abusive tax transactions, tax schemes and emerging abusive arrangements.
Colbert's most recent role at the IRS was deputy chief of the Appeals unit. Before that, she was IRS chief of staff and executive lead of the team that drafted the Taxpayer First Act Report to Congress. She also has held several senior leadership and executive roles within IRS Appeals and the Human Capital Office. She started her career at the IRS as a revenue officer before becoming a settlement officer in Appeals.
“Lia is a strong leader with an excellent taxpayer experience perspective, a proven track record of working well with internal and external partners, and deep people development skill,” said Douglas O’Donnell, IRS deputy commissioner for services and enforcement, in a statement. “We are moving forward to implement the vision outlined in the Taxpayer First Act Report to Congress, and Lia will be a strong addition to the Services and Enforcement leadership team in that effort. The IRS will be well served with Lia, Maha and Darren in these pivotal roles.”
Maha started her career as a revenue agent in Tampa in 2001. She has held various management positions in SB/SE, including deputy director of examination, director of field and campus policy and director of case selection. She is a 2018 graduate of the Candidate Development Program, earned her bachelor's degree in accounting from State University of New York at Plattsburgh and is a CPA.
