Unprepared

Republican tax writer rips IRS CEO as unprepared for hearing

“This is unacceptable,” Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) told IRS CEO Frank Bisignano, who frequently offered vague answers to lawmakers’ questions Wednesday.

Brian Faler

A Republican tax writer ripped IRS CEO Frank Bisignano on Wednesday, blasting him as unprepared for his appearance before the House Ways and Means Committee.

“This is unacceptable,” Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) told Bisignano, who frequently offered vague answers to lawmakers’ questions about tax-filing season, Republicans’ signature tax cuts and other issues.

“You really need to come in here and answer the questions that these members ask you directly, and saying ‘I’ll come see you in your office,’ even to me, on very basic questions that I’m asking you, is really upsetting,” Miller said. “I am very embarrassed right now for my side.”

Miller’s comments came during Bisignano’s first showing before the panel since the administration created the CEO position for him at the agency last fall, a move that allowed him to sidestep the usual Senate confirmation process. Unlike other IRS leaders, Bisignano does not have a tax background, and he is currently also serving as head of the Social Security Administration.

A spokesperson for the IRS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The scolding landed in the thick of tax season, with Republicans hoping an explosion in refunds will help sell the public on their biggest legislative accomplishment, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law last July.

Miller was frustrated by Bisignano’s answers to his inquiries about the agency’s plans for taxing digital assets, an admittedly arcane topic. But Bisignano’s responses to lawmakers’ questions on a range of issues were often vague and repetitive. And he appeared to be unfamiliar with some aspects of President Donald Trump’s signature tax breaks.

He told lawmakers he was unaware there’s a so-called marriage penalty built into a new deduction for tips because the break is capped at $25,000 regardless of whether someone is filing singly or jointly. He also admitted to not knowing certain occupations were ineligible for a new deduction for overtime pay.

Miller said he blamed Bisignano’s advisers who accompanied him to the hearing.

“You need to do a better job of educating the IRS commissioner about the questions that he’s coming here to answer,” Miller told them. “If I was working for a principal, I would never let them walk into a hearing like this.”