This bill, titled the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act, aims to significantly enhance the effectiveness and fairness of the Internal Revenue Service's whistleblower program. It introduces several key changes designed to protect whistleblowers and ensure timely and equitable compensation for their contributions to tax enforcement. A major provision establishes that the Tax Court will conduct a de novo review of whistleblower award determinations, allowing for consideration of new evidence beyond the administrative record. To further protect whistleblowers, the bill grants them the right to proceed anonymously before the Tax Court, unless a compelling societal interest for disclosure outweighs potential harm. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the IRS's annual whistleblower report include a list and descriptions of the top 10 tax avoidance schemes disclosed by whistleblowers, increasing transparency and public awareness. The bill also addresses financial aspects of the program by requiring the IRS to pay interest on whistleblower awards if a preliminary award recommendation is not issued within 12 months of all proceeds being collected and liabilities finalized. Finally, it corrects a technical issue regarding the deduction for attorney's fees, broadening its applicability for whistleblowers.
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 526.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-606.
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3104-3106)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7959.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3117-3118)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 346 - 10 (Roll no. 138). (text: CR H3104)
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 526.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-606.
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3104-3106)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7959.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3117-3118)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 346 - 10 (Roll no. 138). (text: CR H3104)
Administrative remediesCongressional oversightDepartment of the TreasuryExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment studies and investigationsInterest, dividends, interest ratesInternal Revenue Service (IRS)Judicial review and appealsLegal fees and court costsRight of privacySpecialized courtsTax administration and collection, taxpayers
IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act
USA119th CongressHR-7959| House
| Updated: 4/28/2026
This bill, titled the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act, aims to significantly enhance the effectiveness and fairness of the Internal Revenue Service's whistleblower program. It introduces several key changes designed to protect whistleblowers and ensure timely and equitable compensation for their contributions to tax enforcement. A major provision establishes that the Tax Court will conduct a de novo review of whistleblower award determinations, allowing for consideration of new evidence beyond the administrative record. To further protect whistleblowers, the bill grants them the right to proceed anonymously before the Tax Court, unless a compelling societal interest for disclosure outweighs potential harm. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the IRS's annual whistleblower report include a list and descriptions of the top 10 tax avoidance schemes disclosed by whistleblowers, increasing transparency and public awareness. The bill also addresses financial aspects of the program by requiring the IRS to pay interest on whistleblower awards if a preliminary award recommendation is not issued within 12 months of all proceeds being collected and liabilities finalized. Finally, it corrects a technical issue regarding the deduction for attorney's fees, broadening its applicability for whistleblowers.
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 526.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-606.
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3104-3106)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7959.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3117-3118)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 346 - 10 (Roll no. 138). (text: CR H3104)
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 526.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-606.
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3104-3106)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7959.
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Considered as unfinished business.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3117-3118)
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 346 - 10 (Roll no. 138). (text: CR H3104)
Administrative remediesCongressional oversightDepartment of the TreasuryExecutive agency funding and structureGovernment studies and investigationsInterest, dividends, interest ratesInternal Revenue Service (IRS)Judicial review and appealsLegal fees and court costsRight of privacySpecialized courtsTax administration and collection, taxpayers