On May 20, 2020, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that Andy Keyso has been named Chief of the IRS Independent Office of Appeals. He replaces Donna Hansberry, who retired in December 2019.
Mr. Keyso is a long time veteran of the IRS, with more than 25 years of service. During his career, he has held numerous positions within the IRS, including serving as the IRS Chief of Staff, 18 years in various positions in the IRS Office of Chief Counsel, including as Associate Chief Counsel of the Income Tax and Accounting Division. Mr. Keyso also served as Special Counsel to the Chief Counsel and as an attorney in the Procedure and Administration Division. Before coming to Washington, DC, Mr. Keyso worked in the field as a revenue agent in the former Newark, New Jersey District, where he later served as a technical advisor to the Chief, Examination Division. Since July 2017, Mr. Keyso has been the Deputy Chief of Appeals and acting Appeals Chief.
Keyso is a graduate of Temple University School of Law, a member of the Pennsylvania Bar, and a certified public accountant.
Mr. Keyso brings significant experience to the table, and has substantial credibility within the Examination Division, the Office of Chief Counsel, and IRS Appeals.
IRS Appeals is a division within the IRS where taxpayers have the right to seek an independent review of their case after the examination is completed. It is an alternative dispute resolution arena where an Appeals Officer reviews the position of the IRS Examination agent on a certain case and applies a “hazards of litigation” perspective with the goal of settling the matter. Appeals has approximately 1,200 employees. In our experience, IRS Appeals is a very successful mechanism for taxpayers and the IRS to avoid litigation of tax disputes in court.
For our prior comments on changes at IRS Appeals, see the links below.
- IRS Appeals Large Case Pilot Program Ends
- Taxpayer First Act: Changes to the IRS Appeals Process
- In-Person IRS Appeals Conferences Are Here to Stay
- More Changes to IRS Appeals’ Practices?
- ABA Section of Taxation Response to Recent Changes to IRS Appeals
- IRS Extends Permanent Invitation to Exam to Attend Appeals Conferences
- Appeals Large Case Pilot Program Draws Criticism
- Virtual IRS Appeals – A New Frontier?
- More Changes to IRS Appeals, in Response to Taxpayer and Practitioner Concerns
- More Changes to IRS Appeals Procedures