Former Commissioner Gibbs Discusses the State of the IRS, Expresses Concerns About the Agency

FALLS CHURCH, VA, VA., June 19, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tax Analysts, the nonprofit, independent provider of federal, state, and international tax news and analysis, today released a video featuring Lawrence B. Gibbs, former IRS commissioner and a member at Miller & Chevalier, and Christopher Bergin, president and publisher of Tax Analysts. Gibbs and Bergin discuss Gibbs's time as commissioner, the current state of the IRS, and what the future holds for the agency.

"I think the IRS as an agency is in trouble," says Bergin. "I think some people are celebrating that because they don't understand how important the IRS is to the country, and if we keep going down this road, I think we could lose our fiscal system."

Gibbs says his concern about the tax system stems from the United States spending more money than it earns. He believes that overspending necessitates an efficient and effective tax system, and that failure to implement one could lead to serious consequences for the country.

Gibbs notes that when he was commissioner, he "did not have to deal with a partisan Congress. Certainly there were ideological differences… but in the final analysis when problems arose, they found ways to come together on a bipartisan basis and get things done."

Gibbs also discusses the difficulties taxpayers face in attempting to comply with the system. He notes that budget cuts and a dwindling workforce will continue to create problems at the IRS.

"I would hope that the American public could basically come together to empower our politicians to deal with our levels of spending, levels of taxation, and work this problem out so that we don't leave it for our children and grandchildren," says Gibbs.

Gibbs frequently speaks and writes about subjects involving federal taxation. He was recently awarded the American Bar Association Section of Taxation Distinguished Service Award for his long and distinguished career of service to his clients, the IRS, the tax section, and the tax system in general. At the IRS, he served as commissioner from 1986 to 1989, assistant commissioner, acting chief counsel, and deputy chief counsel.

Watch the video on Tax Analysts' YouTube page.

For more information or to speak with Bergin, please contact Shaima Cardillo at 703-531-4852 or shaima_cardillo@tax.org, or Shannon David at 703-531-4835 or Shannon_david@tax.org.

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