IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act
Introduced Mar 17, 2026 by Rep. Mike Kelly
The House passed it. The Senate has to pass it before it can reach the President.
This bill modifies provisions of the Internal Revenue Code relating to whistleblower awards and protections.
Specifically, the bill
revises the standard for review of whistleblower awards in the Tax Court to require a de novo review (rather than the current abuse of discretion review) based on the administrative record established at the time of the whistleblower award determination and any new or previously unavailable evidence,
allows whistleblowers anonymity in proceedings before the Tax Court (unless a societal interest in disclosing a whistleblower's identity outweighs potential harm to the whistleblower),
Read the full summary on Congress.govSummary by the Congressional Research Service.
- Apr 28, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Apr 27, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Apr 27, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 346 - 10 (Roll no. 138). (text: CR H3104)
- Apr 27, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 346 - 10 (Roll no. 138). (text: CR H3104)
- Apr 27, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3117-3118)
- Apr 27, 2026At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- Apr 27, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 7959.
- Apr 27, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3104-3106)
- Apr 27, 2026Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- Apr 9, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 526.
- Apr 9, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-606.
- Mar 25, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
- Mar 25, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Mar 17, 2026Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Mar 17, 2026Introduced in House