Source: https://www.irs.gov/irm/part1/irm_01-001-026
Timestamp: 2019-04-22 05:02:21+00:00

Document:
(1) This transmits revised IRM 1.1.26, Organization and Staffing, Whistleblower Office.
(2) Revised the Initial Claim Evaluation team’s description to reflect their recent transition to SBSE.
(3) Removed definition of terms. Definition of terms are found in 25.2.1 and 25.2.2.
(5) Removed the section titled “Filing a Claim”. Instructions for filing a claim can be found in 25.2.2 as well as the IRS.gov public website and the instructions to Form 211.
Purpose: This IRM section describes the organization and staffing of the Whistleblower Office.
Program Owner: Director, Whistleblower Office is the program office responsible for oversight over this program.
On December 20, 2006, the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 was enacted. Section 406 of the Act amends IRC 7623 concerning the payment of awards to whistleblowers. The amendment made significant changes to the IRS award program and also required the establishment of a Whistleblower Office within the Internal Revenue Service that has responsibility for the administration of the award program. The 2006 amendments re-designated the prior IRC 7623 as IRC 7623(a), added new provisions as IRC 7623(b), and included program administration requirements that were not incorporated into the Internal Revenue Code.
The Whistleblower Office administers the program governing payment of awards under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) section 7623.
Review and evaluate claims for an award filed by whistleblowers.
Coordinates whistleblower claims with other functions within the Service.
Monitors claims throughout the life of each claim, including through the investigation, examination, appeals, collection process, and award issuance.
Evaluates the benefit of the information brought forward by the whistleblower.
Makes a determination about the appropriateness of an award including the applicable award percentage, amounts attributable, and collected proceeds.
Chairs the Whistleblower Executive Board which provides executive level coordination and direction for the Whistleblower Program.
Facilitates communication with external and internal customers and stakeholders concerning the Whistleblower Program.
The Whistleblower Office was established as a result of enactment of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (the Act), signed into law on December 20, 2006. Section 406 of the Act amended IRC §7623 concerning the payment of awards. The prior statutory authority to pay awards was reassigned as IRC §7623(a) and a new section §7623(b) was added. Additional provisions in section 406 required establishment of a Whistleblower Office within the IRS to address award program administration issues. The IRC §7623(a) awards remains as a discretionary program while awards under IRC §7623(b) are statutory provided certain criteria are met.
The Director, who reports to the Commissioner and to the Deputy Commissioner, Services and Enforcement, has primary supervisory responsibility for the Whistleblower Office, including oversight and control of all policy decisions and implementation.
Coordinates with operating divisions, Criminal Investigation, and Counsel.
Defines and communicates key performance goals.
Analyzes program trends to drive policy and outreach strategies.
Develops clear process standards within the program.
Develops and fosters working relationships with partner organizations.
Conducts outreach activities with external stakeholders to educate and guide actions to improve submissions.
Develops educational strategies and designs curriculum focusing on developing Whistleblower Office key competencies.
Develops and directs the implementation of office policy and procedures.
Sets policy pertaining whistleblower claims.
Conducts a study each year and reports to Congress on the use of IRC 7623 and any legislative or administrative recommendations for IRC §7623.
Monitors and maintains the Whistleblower Office e-mail inbox.
Acts as a liaison for Freedom of Information Act requests.
Acts as a liaison with Congress for the Whistleblower Office.
The following report to the Director, Whistleblower Office.
The Program Manager, Case Development and Oversight (CDO), reports to the Director, Whistleblower Office.
CDO is primarily responsible for reviewing and developing information submitted by Whistleblowers, coordinating with the operating divisions, and recommending award percentages based on feedback from the operating divisions.
Evaluates the validity of the submissions, filed by whistleblowers for awards.
Refers cases to operating divisions as appropriate.
Provides coordination with the operating divisions to ensure whistleblower submissions are evaluated in a timely manner and in accordance with established policy and procedures.
Monitors the cases through examination, investigation, assessment and collection of proceeds.
Reviews the operating divisions' examination results to evaluate the whistleblower's contribution and performs complex award calculations in order to recommend an award percentage and amount.
Prepares a proposed determination to the Director, Whistleblower Office.
Acts as liaison for the Whistleblower Office and the operating divisions.
Monitors trends to drive policy and procedural changes.
The Manager, Award Recommendation & Coordination (ARC), reports to the Program Manager, Case Development and Oversight.
ARC provides award processing and litigation support for the Whistleblower Office.
Reviews the operating divisions' examination results to evaluate the whistleblower's contribution, recommends an award percentage and amount, and finalize award calculations.
Prepare and issue award determination letters.
Coordinate information requests from Counsel.
The Program Manager, Strategic Planning and Program Administration (SPPA), reports to the Director, Whistleblower Office.
Develops, monitors, and executes strategic objectives and plans for the Director, Whistleblower Office.
Maintains a high level of communication with CDO and with Counsel to address changing needs and emerging issues.
Manages the financial resources of the Whistleblower Office including tracking resource usage against targets and establishing financial policies, procedures, and controls in accordance with overall Service guidelines and procedures.
Develops and issue policy, procedural guidance, and technical analysis for administering the Whistleblower award program.
Ensures Whistleblower Office and operating division personnel follow applicable policy and procedures when working whistleblower claims.
Supports Whistleblower Office with workforce forecasting, recruitment planning and identification, and resolution of division-wide labor management issues.
Provides strategy and oversight for all internal and external communications affecting Whistleblower Office, including marketing and media relations.
Develops data collection requirements and performs data analysis in order to measure program results.
Oversees the Whistleblower Office’s database platform (e-trak).
Effective July 10, 2016, the Whistleblower Office’s case processing operation, the Initial Claim Evaluation Team (ICE), was realigned to Small Business/Self-Employed (SB/SE). ICE will continue to act as the primary receipt and control function responsible for performing whistleblower claim intake, monitoring, award processing, and responding to correspondence and telephone inquiries from internal and external customers.
Work is performed consistent with procedures.
SB/SE has operational responsibility for the ICE Unit. In this capacity, SB/SE will ensure that ICE resources are used efficiently and effectively. SB/SE will determine the staff levels needed to deliver the Whistleblower Program expectations.
The Whistleblower Office must conduct a study annually and report to Congress on the use of IRC §7623, including an analysis of the use of such section during the preceding year and the results of such use.
For a list of terms used throughout the Whistleblower Program see IRM 25.2.1.1.3, Terms, and IRM 25.2.2.1.4, Terms.
For a list of acronyms used throughout the Whistleblower Program see IRM 25.2.1.1.4, Acronyms, and IRM 25.2.2.1.5, Acronyms.
Whistleblower Office intranet website - http://irweb.irs.gov/AboutIRS/bu/wo/default.aspx.
IRS.gov public website - https://www.irs.gov/compliance/whistleblower-informant-award.
IRM 25.2.1, General Operating Division Guidance for Working Whistleblower Claims.
Pub 5251, The Whistleblower Claim Process.

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