"Hitting Productivity Goals" Senator Blackburn Engages Commissioner Werfel on IRS Policies

In this video, Senator Marsha Blackburn engages with the IRS Commissioner Werfel to discuss various issues, including the agency's telework policies, concerns about employee supervision, and the specifics of tax audit criteria related to total positive income (TPI).

*Telework Policies:*
Senator Blackburn begins by inquiring about the IRS's telework policy, which mandates employees to work in-office 50% of the time. The Commissioner confirms this arrangement and explains that, at any given time, half of the IRS workforce is remote, ensuring a balance between remote and on-site work. He emphasizes ongoing evaluations to ensure that teleworking does not compromise the agency's productivity and mission-critical operations.

*Concerns Over Employee Misconduct:*
The discussion then shifts to specific instances of misconduct within the IRS, highlighted by Senator Blackburn through a case involving backdating penalty approval forms during audits. The Commissioner acknowledges the seriousness of these incidents and assures that measures are being taken to prevent such issues in the future, including improved training, better controls, and appropriate personnel actions against those involved.

*Audit Criteria and Total Positive Income (TPI):*
Senator Blackburn raises concerns about how the IRS defines TPI, which affects how audits are targeted, especially in light of promises that audit rates for taxpayers with incomes below $400,000 would not increase. She questions whether TPI includes various types of income, such as charitable deductions, gifts, insurance settlements, or inheritances. The Commissioner clarifies that TPI generally includes all income before deductions but agrees that a more explicit definition might be necessary to avoid ambiguities that could affect taxpayers.