Proposed Termination of IRS Official Holly Paz
Recent reports indicate that Holly Paz, a high-ranking aide in the IRS, has been informed of a proposed termination from her position. This notification, often referred to as a “pink slip,” comes from the Internal Revenue Service itself, signaling a potential end to her employment. Under standard protocol, Paz has a 30-day window to respond to this notice. Currently, she is on administrative leave while her employment status is under review.
Sources have revealed that Paz, who previously served as the IRS commissioner overseeing large business and international operations, received the notification on a Monday earlier this week.
Her leave commenced last month, and shortly thereafter, she was informed of her proposed removal following an internal inquiry. It’s worth mentioning that her attorney has stated the review process is still ongoing.
Paz was closely aligned with Lois Lerner during the Obama administration, who became a controversial figure for her role in scrutinizing conservative groups’ applications for tax-exempt status. In 2013, it was disclosed that under Lerner’s watch, the IRS had improperly examined tax-exempt requests linked to terms like “Tea Party” and “Constitution.” A subsequent investigation confirmed that inappropriate standards were employed against conservative organizations.
For over two years, the IRS reportedly focused its resources on conservative tax-exempt groups. Paz was known as a critical connection between the IRS’s Cincinnati office, which reviewed tax-exempt applications, and its main headquarters.
Her proposed removal has surfaced amid renewed scrutiny from lawmakers as the IRS, under Commissioner Danny Werfel, looks to reform how audits are conducted, particularly targeting affluent filers. The new audits aim to ensure compliance among the wealthiest Americans.
In a notable resolution from 2017, the IRS settled lawsuits brought by Tea Party groups claiming they were unfairly targeted during the Obama years, acknowledging the agency’s errors in handling the tax-exempt application process.
Notably, during past investigations, both Paz and Lerner sought to avoid testifying about the targeting scandal due to concerns over personal safety.
As the situation develops, it reflects broader attempts by the current IRS leadership to improve service and efficiency, addressing issues left over from previous administrations.
To clarify, Holly Paz has received a notification of proposed termination, yet she remains employed as the review process continues.
