Legis Daily

IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act

USA119th CongressHR-7959| House 
| Updated: 4/28/2026
Mike Kelly

Mike Kelly

Republican Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (5)
Adrian Smith (Republican)Nathaniel Moran (Republican)Carol D. Miller (Republican)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Vern Buchanan (Republican)

Ways and Means Committee, Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4107
IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1336
IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1300
IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2023
Mar 17, 2026
Introduced in House
Mar 17, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Mar 25, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 25, 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
Apr 9, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 526.
Apr 9, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-606.
Apr 27, 2026
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Apr 27, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Apr 27, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3104-3106)
Apr 27, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7959.
Apr 27, 2026
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.
Apr 27, 2026
Considered as unfinished business.
Apr 27, 2026
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3117-3118)
Apr 27, 2026
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)
View Vote
Apr 27, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 28, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4107
    IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1336
    IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1300
    IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2023


  • March 17, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • March 17, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.


  • March 25, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • March 25, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.


  • April 9, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 526.


  • April 9, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-606.


  • April 27, 2026
    Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • April 27, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • April 27, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3104-3106)


  • April 27, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7959.


  • April 27, 2026
    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.


  • April 27, 2026
    Considered as unfinished business.


  • April 27, 2026
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3117-3118)


  • April 27, 2026
    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)
    View Vote


  • April 27, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • April 28, 2026
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Taxation

Related Bills

  • S 119-3931: TAS Act
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.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-4107
IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1336
IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2023

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-1300
IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2023
Mar 17, 2026
Introduced in House
Mar 17, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Mar 25, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Mar 25, 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
Apr 9, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 526.
Apr 9, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-606.
Apr 27, 2026
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
Apr 27, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Apr 27, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3104-3106)
Apr 27, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7959.
Apr 27, 2026
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.
Apr 27, 2026
Considered as unfinished business.
Apr 27, 2026
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3117-3118)
Apr 27, 2026
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)
View Vote
Apr 27, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 28, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-4107
    IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1336
    IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2023


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-1300
    IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act of 2023


  • March 17, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • March 17, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.


  • March 25, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • March 25, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.


  • April 9, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 526.


  • April 9, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-606.


  • April 27, 2026
    Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.


  • April 27, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • April 27, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3104-3106)


  • April 27, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7959.


  • April 27, 2026
    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.


  • April 27, 2026
    Considered as unfinished business.


  • April 27, 2026
    Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3117-3118)


  • April 27, 2026
    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)
    View Vote


  • April 27, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • April 28, 2026
    Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mike Kelly

Mike Kelly

Republican Representative

Pennsylvania

Cosponsors (5)
Adrian Smith (Republican)Nathaniel Moran (Republican)Carol D. Miller (Republican)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Vern Buchanan (Republican)

Ways and Means Committee, Finance Committee

Taxation

Related Bills

  • S 119-3931: TAS Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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