§7802 — Title 26 Internal Revenue Code | U.S. Code

Summary

Creates an Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board inside the Department of the Treasury and gives it nine members to oversee how the IRS is run. Six members are private citizens chosen by the President with Senate approval. One member is the Treasury Secretary or the Deputy Secretary if the Secretary names them. One is the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. One is a full-time Federal employee or an employee representative who is also chosen by the President with Senate approval. The private and employee-representative members serve five-year terms, but the first six are staggered so two serve 3 years, two serve 4 years, and two serve 5 years. Those members may serve at most two full five-year terms. A vacancy is filled the same way as the original appointment. Five members make a quorum, and a majority of those voting is needed for the Board to act. The President may remove the private and employee-representative members at will; the Secretary or Commissioner members leave the Board if they leave their office. Members get travel pay at federal rates. The Chair is paid $50,000 a year, can hire staff, and may get Federal employees detailed to the Board without pay. The Board must watch over IRS administration, management, operations, and confidentiality. It approves IRS strategic and budget plans, reviews plans for modernization, outsourcing, and training, recommends candidates for and removal of the Commissioner, reviews senior executive choices and major reorganizations, and works to ensure fair treatment of taxpayers. The Board cannot make tax law policy, run specific law-enforcement actions, or handle most procurement or personnel moves. The Board meets at least quarterly. Each year it reports to the President and to the House Committees on Ways and Means, Government Reform and Oversight, and Appropriations and to the Senate Committees on Finance, Governmental Affairs, and Appropriations. If the Board finds the IRS cannot carry out its mission, it must report that finding to the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee.

Title 26, §7802

Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)There is established within the Department of the Treasury the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board (hereafter in this subchapter referred to as the “Oversight Board”).

(b)(1)The Oversight Board shall be composed of nine members, as follows:

(A)six members shall be individuals who are not otherwise Federal officers or employees and who are appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(B)one member shall be the Secretary of the Treasury or, if the Secretary so designates, the Deputy Secretary of the Treasury.

(C)one member shall be the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.

(D)one member shall be an individual who is a full-time Federal employee or a representative of employees and who is appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

(2)(A)Members of the Oversight Board described in paragraph (1)(A) shall be appointed without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of their professional experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas:

(i)Management of large service organizations.

(ii)Customer service.

(iii)Federal tax laws, including tax administration and compliance.

(iv)Information technology.

(v)Organization development.

(vi)The needs and concerns of taxpayers.

(vii)The needs and concerns of small businesses.

(B)Each member who is described in subparagraph (A) or (D) of paragraph (1) shall be appointed for a term of 5 years, except that of the members first appointed under paragraph (1)(A)—

(i)two members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years,

(ii)two members shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, and

(iii)two members shall be appointed for a term of 5 years.

(C)An individual who is described in subparagraph (A) or (D) of paragraph (1) may be appointed to no more than two 5-year terms on the Oversight Board.

(D)Any vacancy on the Oversight Board shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of that term.

(3)(A)During the entire period that an individual appointed under subparagraph (A) or (D) of paragraph (1) is a member of the Oversight Board, such individual shall be treated as serving as an officer or employee referred to in section 13103(f) of title 5, United States Code, for purposes of subchapter I of chapter 131 of such title, except that section 13103(d) of such title shall apply without regard to the number of days of service in the position.

(B)For purposes of section 207(c) of title 18, United States Code, an individual appointed under subparagraph (A) or (D) of paragraph (1) shall be treated as an employee referred to in section 207(c)(2)(A)(i) of such title during the entire period the individual is a member of the Board, except that subsections (c)(2)(B) and (f) of section 207 of such title shall not apply.

(C)If an individual appointed under subparagraph (A) or (D) of paragraph (1) is a special Government employee, the following additional rules apply for purposes of chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code:

(i)In addition to any restriction under section 205(c) of title 18, United States Code, except as provided in subsections (d) through (i) of section 205 of such title, such individual (except in the proper discharge of official duties) shall not, with or without compensation, represent anyone to or before any officer or employee of—

(I)the Oversight Board or the Internal Revenue Service on any matter;

(II)the Department of the Treasury on any matter involving the internal revenue laws or involving the management or operations of the Internal Revenue Service; or

(III)the Department of Justice with respect to litigation involving a matter described in subclause (I) or (II).

(ii)For purposes of section 203 of such title—

(I)such individual shall not be subject to the restrictions of subsection (a)(1) thereof for sharing in compensation earned by another for representations on matters covered by such section, and

(II)a person shall not be subject to the restrictions of subsection (a)(2) thereof for sharing such compensation with such individual.

(D)The President may, only at the time the President nominates the member of the Oversight Board described in paragraph (1)(D), waive for the term of the member any appropriate provision of chapter 11 of title 18, United States Code, to the extent such waiver is necessary to allow such member to participate in the decisions of the Board while continuing to serve as a full-time Federal employee or a representative of employees. Any such waiver shall not be effective unless a written intent of waiver to exempt such member (and actual waiver language) is submitted to the Senate with the nomination of such member.

(4)Five members of the Oversight Board shall constitute a quorum. A majority of members present and voting shall be required for the Oversight Board to take action.

(5)(A)Any member of the Oversight Board appointed under subparagraph (A) or (D) of paragraph (1) may be removed at the will of the President.

(B)An individual described in subparagraph (B) or (C) of paragraph (1) shall be removed upon termination of service in the office described in such subparagraph.

(6)(A)Members of the Oversight Board who are described in subparagraph (A) or (D) of paragraph (1) shall have no personal liability under Federal law with respect to any claim arising out of or resulting from an act or omission by such member within the scope of service as a member.

(B)This paragraph shall not be construed—

(i)to affect any other immunities and protections that may be available to such member under applicable law with respect to such transactions;

(ii)to affect any other right or remedy against the United States under applicable law; or

(iii)to limit or alter in any way the immunities that are available under applicable law for Federal officers and employees.

(c)(1)(A)The Oversight Board shall oversee the Internal Revenue Service in its administration, management, conduct, direction, and supervision of the execution and application of the internal revenue laws or related statutes and tax conventions to which the United States is a party.

(B)As part of its oversight functions described in subparagraph (A), the Oversight Board shall ensure that the organization and operation of the Internal Revenue Service allows it to carry out its mission.

(C)The Oversight Board shall ensure that appropriate confidentiality is maintained in the exercise of its duties.

(2)The Oversight Board shall have no responsibilities or authority with respect to—

(A)the development and formulation of Federal tax policy relating to existing or proposed internal revenue laws, related statutes, and tax conventions,

(B)specific law enforcement activities of the Internal Revenue Service, including specific compliance activities such as examinations, collection activities, and criminal investigations,

(C)specific procurement activities of the Internal Revenue Service, or

(D)except as provided in subsection (d)(3), specific personnel actions.

(d)The Oversight Board shall have the following specific responsibilities:

(1)To review and approve strategic plans of the Internal Revenue Service, including the establishment of—

(A)mission and objectives, and standards of performance relative to either, and

(B)annual and long-range strategic plans.

(2)To review the operational functions of the Internal Revenue Service, including—

(A)plans for modernization of the tax system,

(B)plans for outsourcing or managed competition, and

(C)plans for training and education.

(3)To—

(A)recommend to the President candidates for appointment as the Commissioner of Internal Revenue and recommend to the President the removal of the Commissioner;

(B)review the Commissioner’s selection, evaluation, and compensation of Internal Revenue Service senior executives who have program management responsibility over significant functions of the Internal Revenue Service; and

(C)review and approve the Commissioner’s plans for any major reorganization of the Internal Revenue Service.

(4)To—

(A)review and approve the budget request of the Internal Revenue Service prepared by the Commissioner;

(B)submit such budget request to the Secretary of the Treasury; and

(C)ensure that the budget request supports the annual and long-range strategic plans.

(5)To ensure the proper treatment of taxpayers by the employees of the Internal Revenue Service.

(e)(1)(A)Each member of the Oversight Board who—

(i)is described in subsection (b)(1)(A); or

(ii)is described in subsection (b)(1)(D) and is not otherwise a Federal officer or employee,

(B)In lieu of the amount specified in subparagraph (A), the Chairperson of the Oversight Board shall be compensated at a rate of $50,000 per year.

(2)(A)The members of the Oversight Board shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, to attend meetings of the Oversight Board and, with the advance approval of the Chairperson of the Oversight Board, while otherwise away from their homes or regular places of business for purposes of duties as a member of the Oversight Board.

(B)The Oversight Board shall include in its annual report under subsection (f)(3)(A) information with respect to the travel expenses allowed for members of the Oversight Board under this paragraph.

(3)(A)The Chairperson of the Oversight Board may appoint and terminate any personnel that may be necessary to enable the Board to perform its duties.

(B)Upon request of the Chairperson of the Oversight Board, a Federal agency shall detail a Federal Government employee to the Oversight Board without reimbursement. Such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.

(4)The Chairperson of the Oversight Board may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.

(f)(1)(A)The members of the Oversight Board shall elect for a 2-year term a chairperson from among the members appointed under subsection (b)(1)(A).

(B)Except as otherwise provided by a majority vote of the Oversight Board, the powers of the Chairperson shall include—

(i)establishing committees;

(ii)setting meeting places and times;

(iii)establishing meeting agendas; and

(iv)developing rules for the conduct of business.

(2)The Oversight Board shall meet at least quarterly and at such other times as the Chairperson determines appropriate.

(3)(A)The Oversight Board shall each year report with respect to the conduct of its responsibilities under this title to the President, the Committees on Ways and Means, Government Reform and Oversight, and Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Committees on Finance, Governmental Affairs, and Appropriations of the Senate.

(B)Upon a determination by the Oversight Board under subsection (c)(1)(B) that the organization and operation of the Internal Revenue Service are not allowing it to carry out its mission, the Oversight Board shall report such determination to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2022—Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 117–286 substituted “section 13103(f) of title 5, United States Code, for purposes of subchapter I of chapter 131 of such title, except that section 13103(d) of such title” for “section 101(f) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 for purposes of title I of such Act, except that section 101(d) of such Act”. 2000—Subsec. (b)(2)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 106–554 substituted a comma for semicolon before “and”. 1998—Pub. L. 105–206 amended section catchline and text of section generally, substituting present provisions for provisions which: in subsec. (a), declared that there shall be in the Department of the Treasury a Commissioner of Internal Revenue, appointed by the President, with such duties and powers as prescribed by Secretary of the Treasury; in subsec. (b), established Office of Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations to carry out functions with respect to organizations exempt from tax and with respect to plans to which part I of subchapter D of chapter 1 applied; in subsec. (c), established Office for Taxpayer Services such as telephone, walk-in, and taxpayer educational services, and design and production of forms; and in subsec. (d), established Office of Taxpayer Advocate and set forth functions of Office and responsibilities of Commissioner regarding response to recommendations of Office. See section 7803 of this title. 1996—Pub. L. 104–168, § 101(b)(2), substituted “Commissioners; Taxpayer Advocate.” for “Commissioner (Employee Plans and Exempt Organizations)” in section catchline. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 104–168, § 101(a), added subsec. (d). 1988—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–647 added subsec. (c). 1982—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 97–258 redesignated existing provisions as par. (1), added par. (1) heading, and added par. (2). Par. (2) is based on provisions that appeared in section 1037 of former Title 31, Money and Finance, prior to enactment of Title 31 by Pub. L. 97–258. 1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(B), substituted “Secretary of the Treasury” for “Secretary” after “prescribed by the”. Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”. 1974—Pub. L. 93–406 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a) and added subsec. (b).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Governmental Affairs of Senate changed to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of Senate, effective Jan. 4, 2005, by Senate Resolution No. 445, One Hundred Eighth Congress, Oct. 9, 2004. Committee on Government Reform and Oversight of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Government Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Jan. 6, 1999. Committee on Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Sixteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2019. Committee on Oversight and Reform of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Oversight and Accountability of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, Jan. 9, 2023.

Effective Date

of 1998 Amendment Pub. L. 105–206, title I, § 1101(d), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 697, provided that: “(1) In general.—The

Amendments

made by this section [amending this section and section 4946 and 6103 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [

July 22, 1998]. “(2) Initial nominations to internal revenue service oversight board.—The President shall submit the initial nominations under section 7802 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this section, to the Senate not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of this Act [

July 22, 1998]. “(3) Effect on actions prior to appointment of oversight board.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to invalidate the actions and authority of the Internal Revenue Service prior to the appointment of the members of the Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board.”

Effective Date

of 1996 Amendment Pub. L. 104–168, title I, § 101(c), July 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 1456, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this section [amending this section and section 7811 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [July 30, 1996].”

Effective Date

of 1988 Amendment Pub. L. 100–647, title VI, § 6235(c), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3737, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on the date 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1988].”

Effective Date

of 1974 Amendment Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 1051(d), Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 951, provided that: “The

Amendments

made by this section [amending this section and section 5108 and 5109 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees] shall take effect on the 90th day after the date of the enactment of this Act [Sept. 2, 1974].”

§7802 Internal Revenue Service Oversight Board

Summary

Title 26, §7802

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Effective Date

Amendments

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