Whistleblower Office Opens at IRS

The Internal Revenue Service’s Whistleblower Office opened for business this month. The congressionally mandated program is designed to receive information that helps uncover tax cheating and provide appropriate rewards to whistleblowers.

Stephen A. Whitlock will serve as the office’s director. During his 27-year government career, Whitlock has led the agency’s Office of Professional Responsibility and helped run anti-fraud and abuse programs at the Defense Department.

The Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 established the Whistleblower Office, which will process tips received from individuals who spot tax problems in their workplace, while conducting day-to-day personal business, or anywhere else.

A reward worth between 15 percent and 30 percent of the total proceeds that IRS collects could be awarded if the IRS moves ahead based on the information provided. Whitlock’s office will be responsible for assessing and analyzing incoming tips.

Since May 2003, Whitlock has served as the deputy director of the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility. In March 1999, he joined the IRS as director of the Commissioner’s Complaint Processing and Analysis Group.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
Tax practice Career moves Accounting standards Finance Regulatory actions and programs
MORE FROM ACCOUNTING TODAY