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IRS Technology Leadership Shakes Up Amid Controversy
Significant transitions are occurring within the IRS as the chief technology leader and two acting deputies prepare to exit the agency, coinciding with media scrutiny over a contentious data sharing initiative with the Department of Homeland Security.
Rajiv Uppal, who serves as the IRS chief information officer, announced his departure set for April 28 through an internal email revealed by Nextgov/FCW.
This announcement adds to the list of recent leadership changes at the IRS, which has seen elevated turnover rates since the onset of the Trump administration. In just a few months, the agency has seen three different leaders, along with the resignation of numerous high-ranking officials, including the chief privacy officer.
The organization has garnered attention for its strategies aimed at consolidating data under the guidance of the Department of Government Efficiency, an initiative led by Elon Musk, known for his drive towards reducing governmental expenditures.
In his email, Uppal expressed gratitude to his team, saying, “I want to thank you for your resilience in the face of change.” Following his exit, Kaschit Pandya, the current chief technology officer, is set to step in as the acting CIO.
Additionally, sources confirmed that acting deputy CIOs Darnita Trower and Eric Markow are also departing from the agency.
In light of these changes, the IRS has initiated a “strategic re-assessment” focused on modernizing its IT infrastructure and evaluating current projects and investments that have been in place since the Trump era.
The agency’s restructuring efforts also coincide with layoffs aimed at streamlining operations as per the efficiency agenda set forth by the Trump administration, which follows a period of expansion under the Biden administration. Recently, approximately 50 senior IT executives were dismissed.
Former IRS chief Danny Werfel commented on the situation, stating, “With new funds authorized in 2022, and with new approaches based on lessons learned, significant progress has been made in the past two years.” He highlighted advancements in taxpayer services, such as the rollout of Direct File and enhancements to both individual and business tax accounts, further mentioning improvements in call center operations through language recognition AI.
However, Werfel expressed concern that ongoing layoffs and budget cuts might hinder these positive developments. His tenure came to a close in January when Trump announced intentions to appoint a successor, even though Werfel’s term was originally slated to extend until 2027.
Uppal joined the IRS from what was previously the U.S. Digital Service, which was reorganized under the Trump administration to become the U.S. DOGE Service.
Trower’s tenure at the IRS spans nearly 15 years, while Markow has served the agency for over 27 years, according to their LinkedIn profiles.
The IRS has yet to provide a response regarding these leadership changes.
Source
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