Mission:

Supports the IRS mission and business objectives using strategic relationship management, communication tools and processes, resolution of issues of mutual concern, and information sharing.

Strategic Priorities:

1. Enable IRS business objectives by supporting the operating and functional divisions’ major strategies and operational priorities.
2. Ensure that communications with customers, Congress and stakeholders are consistent and coordinated IRS-wide and integrate stakeholder relationship management in the day-to-day operations of the agency.
3. Ensure a quality work environment that is operationally efficient and effective, including an emphasis on automating business processes.
4. Ensure the appropriate collection, use and protection of information to accomplish IRS business objectives.

Headquarters:

Washington, DC

Management Team:

Frank Keith – Chief, Communications & Liaison
Jan Deneroff – Acting Director, Office of Communications
Tom Marusin – Director, Office of Governmental Liaison & Disclosure
Floyd Williams – Director, Office of Legislative Affairs
Beanna Whitlock – Director, Office of National Public Liaison

Stakeholders:

Communications & Liaison stakeholders include IRS employees, IRS operating, functional and support divisions, national media, the National Treasury Employees Union, the Office of Management and Budget, the Treasury Department, the American public, business groups, Congress, Federal agencies, state and local governmental agencies, foreign governments, IRS advisory committees, the Information Reporting Policy Council, the IRS Oversight Board, the General Accounting Office, public interest groups, tax practitioner groups, associations, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Overview and Services of the C&L; Offices:

The Communications and Liaison Division (C&L;) enables the IRS to achieve its strategic business objectives by integrating communications, partnering activities and information sharing with key internal and external stakeholders and is a key strategic tool for the Commissioner and for IRS Operating Divisions. C&L; helps achieve the IRS strategic goals by:

• Linking the IRS to the American taxpayer through critical constituencies: the Congress, national and local media, State tax officials, tax professionals’ organizations, and official oversight and advisory panels.
• Identifying ongoing and emerging issues from key stakeholders, and ensuring their timely resolution.
• Advising the Commissioner on the effective presentation of policy positions and issue responses.
• Promoting public awareness of major IRS initiatives.
• Coordinating high-priority communications to employees, working with professional staff in all IRS divisions.

Communications

The Office of Communications is the focal point for planning, coordinating, and producing Servicewide communications. It provides a wide range of expertise, products, and services to help achieve business outcomes through communications within and outside the agency. The office works with national and local media to enhance the public's understanding of the IRS and its mission, programs and policies; manages national media campaigns to help the IRS meet its goals and business objectives; manages voicemail and Intranet channels for communicating with all IRS employees; and produces interactive video teletraining and operates a satellite television network that reaches 135 IRS offices nationwide.

Governmental Liaison & Disclosure

The Office of Governmental Liaison and Disclosure provides oversight and education to IRS and external partners to ensure protection of taxpayer and employee confidentiality rights while addressing the public's right to access information. Through partnerships with federal, state and local governmental agencies, the Governmental Liaison program works to improve voluntary compliance with the tax laws, increase tax administration efficiency and reduce taxpayer burden. In conjunction with Legislative Affairs and Taxpayer Advocate personnel, Governmental Liaison officials maintain relationships with local congressional delegations. The Disclosure program provides guidance to ensure compliance with the disclosure statutes and ensures the effective administration of disclosure programs nationwide.

Legislative Affairs

The Office of Legislative Affairs manages and enhances IRS relationships with members of Congress and their staffs by timely sharing publicly available information, serving as the central coordinating point for the IRS to achieve its legislative objectives, and assisting in securing Congressional support for the IRS. It prepares and coordinates legislative proposals that further the IRS Strategic Plan’s objectives to improve service and compliance. These proposals are separate from those provided directly to the Congress by the Taxpayer Advocate.

Legislative Affairs also provides a national level of coordination, oversight and guidance for the Congressional Affairs Program, which helps manage relationships with congressional offices, in cooperation with the Governmental Liaison and Taxpayer Advocate in each state. Together, they provide a coordinated outreach effort to the local congressional delegations.

National Public Liaison

The Office of National Public Liaison manages relationships with national stakeholder organizations, business and professional associations, the IRS Advisory Council, the Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee, the Information Reporting Policy Council and Federal agencies with an interest in tax administration and IRS activities and programs. The Office also manages the Nationwide Tax Forum program, with an annual attendance of more than 13,000 tax practitioners.