IRS resignations could be a protest

International Tax Review is part of Legal Benchmarking Limited, 1-2 Paris Garden, London, SE1 8ND

Copyright © Legal Benchmarking Limited and its affiliated companies 2026

Accessibility | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Modern Slavery Statement

IRS resignations could be a protest

Three top-level officials in the US Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) LB&I department have resigned in the space of one week, leading tax professionals to question whether the moves are a response to some kind of internal restructuring.

Mike Danilak announced his resignation, effective from July 2. Shortly after Danilak’s announcement, Samuel Maruca also resigned, effective from August 1. And Diana Wollman, director of strategy and reporting to Danilak, has also handed in her resignation.

Three high-level resignations in such a short space of time can surely not be coincidence.

On Tuesday it was also announced that LB&I’s top domestic person also was leaving - Laura Prendergast, the LB&I acting deputy commissioner. 

“Something has happened but I don’t know what,” said one adviser. “I’m sure it will come out in time. Whatever it is, it’s not good. The departing international officials, in particular, have a done a very good job and will be missed. It’s also not a good time for these high-level departures given all the BEPS stuff that’s going on.”

Douglas O'Donnell, LB&I assistant deputy commissioner will take over for Danilak in the interim.

 

more across site & shared bottom lb ros

More from across our site

IP lawyers, who say they are encouraging clients to build up ‘tariff resilience’, should treat the risks posed by recent orders as a core consideration in cross-border licensing
As Coca-Cola awaits a crucial 11th Circuit Court of Appeals decision this year, its multibillion-dollar tax dispute could have profound implications for investors, cash flow, and corporate transparency
However, women in tax face greater career obstacles than their male counterparts, an exclusive ITR survey of more than 100 women tax leaders revealed
Under Jeff Soar’s leadership, WTS UK aims to scale to 100 partners within five years and challenge the big four
As the firm embarks on a major shakeup of its EMEA partnerships, some staff will be watching nervously
The buyout of Hucke and Associates continues Ryan’s streak of firm acquisitions; in other news, a UK appeal against VAT on private school fees was dismissed
Tax teams are responding to usual client demand in the region, albeit with increased working from home flexibility, local sources indicate
A 120-plus-day delay to refunds would cost taxpayers almost $3bn in additional interest, the Cato Institute warned; plus indirect tax updates from February
The Office for Budget Responsibility’s pessimistic pillar two forecast accompanied the UK chancellor’s muted Spring Statement, dubbed ‘as dull as possible’ by one adviser
Digital tax reform is dissolving the old ‘temporal buffer’, forcing systems, institutions, and professionals to adapt as real-time reporting reshapes governance, capability, and compliance
Gift this article