Daniel Werfel

Daniel Werfel is an American attorney and public servant who has held several high-ranking positions within the Federal government of the United States. He was confirmed as the 50th Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in March 2023, following his nomination by President Joe Biden. Werfel previously served in the Obama administration, including as Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management.

Early life and education

Werfel was born in New York City and grew up in Long Island. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Cornell University College of Arts and Sciences. He subsequently pursued graduate studies, receiving a Master of Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor from the Washington College of Law at American University. His academic background laid a foundation for a career focused on federal management, budget, and legal policy.

Career in government

Werfel began his federal career as an attorney at the United States Department of Justice in the Civil Division. He later joined the Office of Management and Budget, where he held several leadership roles over more than a decade. During the administration of President Barack Obama, Werfel served as Deputy Controller and then Controller of the Office of Federal Financial Management, overseeing government-wide financial management policies. In April 2013, following the departure of Acting Director Jeffrey Zients, Werfel was appointed Acting Director of the entire Office of Management and Budget, a position he held until the confirmation of Shaun Donovan later that year. Between his government roles, Werfel worked in the private sector as a managing director at the Boston Consulting Group, advising on public sector and regulatory issues.

Commissioner of Internal Revenue

On November 17, 2022, President Joe Biden nominated Werfel to serve as Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service, succeeding Charles Rettig. His nomination was considered by the United States Senate Committee on Finance and he received a bipartisan confirmation vote from the full United States Senate on March 9, 2023. He was sworn into office on March 13, 2023, for a five-year term. His appointment came at a critical time for the agency, which was embarking on a major modernization and enforcement expansion funded by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Key early priorities included improving taxpayer service, addressing a backlog of unprocessed returns, and implementing the strategic plan for the new funding.

Policy initiatives and impact

As Commissioner, Werfel has overseen the rollout of the IRS’s strategic operating plan, a multi-year blueprint for transforming the agency. A major initiative has been the development and pilot of the Direct File program, a free, government-run tax filing system. He has also prioritized enhanced enforcement efforts focused on high-income individuals, complex partnerships, and large corporations, as directed by the Inflation Reduction Act. Under his leadership, the IRS has launched initiatives to improve customer service, including expanding in-person assistance at Taxpayer Assistance Centers and reducing call wait times. Werfel has frequently testified before congressional committees, including the House Ways and Means Committee and the Senate Appropriations Committee, to discuss the agency’s progress and budget.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Werfel has received several awards for his public service. These include the Office of Management and Budget Director’s Award and the Presidential Rank Award, one of the most prestigious honors for career federal employees. His leadership at the IRS has been noted in various governmental oversight reports and by organizations such as the Government Accountability Office and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:Commissioners of Internal Revenue Category:American lawyers Category:Obama administration personnel Category:Biden administration personnel Category:People from New York City Category:Cornell University alumni Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni Category:American University alumni