Tax Notes Today Quotes Christopher Rizek: Tax Pros Balance Confidence in Koskinen Against IRS's Troubles

Tax Notes Today quoted Christopher S. Rizek regarding the current state of the IRS and Commissioner John Koskinen's ability to make significant changes. While observers believe stronger leadership is needed, Mr. Rizek recognizes that given the circumstances, Koskinen has done a lot of good. For the complete article, please visit Tax Notes Today's website (subscription required).

Excerpt taken from the article "Tax Pros Balance Confidence in Koskinen Against IRS's Troubles" by William Hoffman for Tax Notes Today.
 
"I have to question whether one guy can change the whole organization," said Christopher S. Rizek, who as a one-time Treasury attorney-adviser and associate tax legislative counsel helped formulate the IRS Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998. "It isn't the work of one person that created the problems [Koskinen] has to solve, and it won't be one person who solves them."

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Rizek said the confrontational style of some Congress members isn't helping. Ryan "basically called [Koskinen] a liar," Rizek said, adding, "Ryan was out of line." Steber called for an end to congressional threats to cut the IRS budget as punishment for past misdeeds: "Fund them at what they need; get the politics out of funding."

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If there's one bright spot at the IRS, many tax business representatives agree, it's the person at the top of the organization.

"I'm generally a fan of John Koskinen. I think he's doing a lot of the right things at the outset," said Rizek, now of Caplin & Drysdale. "Turning a battleship is not easy. But he's off to a good start."