WASHINGTON (AP) — Days before the event. 2026 tax filing season The IRS commissioner announced the shakeup on Tuesday, saying the personnel and operational changes are aimed at improving taxpayer services and modernizing the agency.
The timing of the announcement coincides with a critical moment for the IRS, as the agency prepares to process millions of tax returns while also implementing major tax law changes. tax and expense packages President Donald Trump signed it into law last summer. There are new tax breaks for tips and overtime pay, as well as new credits for eligible older Americans.
In a letter to the agency’s 74,000 employees seen by The Associated Press, CEO Frank Bisignano announced new priorities and a shakeup of IRS executive leadership.
Of note is whistleblower Gary Shapley, who has publicly testified about Hunter Biden’s taxes and investigations. Served as IRS Commissioner for just two days Last year, he was appointed deputy chief of the criminal division. Guy FiccoJarrod Koopman, chief of criminal investigations, is retiring and will be replaced by Jarrod Koopman, who will serve as chief tax compliance officer alongside Mr. Bisignano.
Joseph Ziegler, Hunter Biden’s other whistleblower, has been named head of the company’s internal consulting department, according to the letter.
“With the launch of this new team, I am confident that the IRS is poised to provide Americans with a successful tax filing season,” Bisignano said in the letter.
June national tax advocate A report to Parliament has warned that the 2026 season could be bumpy after a series of mass layoffs brought about by the Department for Government Efficiency last year.
“With IRS staff reduced by 26% and major changes to the tax code on the horizon, there are risks for next year’s filing season,” said Erin M. Collins, who heads the organization that works to protect taxpayer rights.
Who was Bisignano? appointed in octoberalso serves as Commissioner of the Social Security Administration.
His key priorities for the IRS in 2026 include enhancing customer service, improving tax collection, and protecting taxpayer privacy.
The IRS expects to receive about 164 million individual income tax returns this year, the same level as it received last year.
The average refund last year was $3,167, according to IRS data. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said several times that the 2026 tax refund will be even larger due to the Republican tax law.