The IRS announced it would cease surprise visits to homes and businesses Monday, beleaguered by political backlash after a series of questionable home appearances and whistleblower accusations of political bias.
IRS commissioner Danny Werfel said he was hoping to increase public 'confidence' in the agency by halting the practice of making unannounced visits to taxpayers' homes and businesses 'except in a few unique circumstances.'
The agency will instead mail letters to schedule meetings.
'We are taking a fresh look at how the I.R.S. operates to better serve taxpayers and the nation, and making this change is a common-sense step,' said Werfel in a statement.
'Changing this longstanding procedure will increase confidence in our tax administration work and improve overall safety for taxpayers and I.R.S. employees.'
Werfel, who has led the agency for four months, said he wanted to rebrand the IRS and do away with the public perception that the agency goes door to door collecting taxes.
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Werfel also said scammers go door to door posing as IRS agents and confusing taxpayers, and agents had been put in unsafe situations when they show up at a property unannounced.
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