Krause Appointed Acting IRS Commissioner as O'Donnell Retires

Krause Appointed Acting IRS Commissioner as O'Donnell Retires

Melanie Krause, the IRS Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed as the acting IRS Commissioner following the retirement of Doug O'Donnell, who served as the acting Commissioner since January 2025. O'Donnell, after dedicating 38 years to the Internal Revenue Service, will retire this Friday after holding various leadership roles within the agency, including his previous tenure as acting Commissioner from November 2022 to March 2023.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed appreciation for O'Donnell's service, saying, “On behalf of the Treasury Department, I want to thank Doug O'Donnell for his decades of public service and dedication to the nation’s taxpayers. He has been a remarkable public servant, and I wish him the best in retirement. At the same time, Melanie Krause and the agency’s leadership team are well positioned to serve during this critical period for the nation in advance of the April tax deadline.”

O'Donnell shared his confidence in Krause's leadership, stating, “The IRS has been my professional home for 38 years. I care deeply about the institution and its people and am confident that Melanie will be an outstanding steward of the Service until a new Commissioner is confirmed.”

Krause’s Background and Experience

Krause joined the IRS in October 2021 as the Chief Data & Analytics Officer, where she led the agency’s research, applied analytics, and AI-driven initiatives. She then served as the IRS Deputy Commissioner of Operations Support, overseeing essential operational functions like finance, risk management, procurement, and privacy.

With 12 years of experience in federal oversight, including roles at the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, Krause has an extensive background in tax administration. She is also a licensed registered nurse and holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Krause’s Role Moving Forward

As acting IRS Commissioner, Krause will oversee the IRS’s priorities leading up to the April tax deadline, while continuing her oversight of the agency's daily operations. The IRS has not yet provided a timeline for appointing a permanent Commissioner.

O'Donnell’s retirement marks the end of his distinguished 38-year career with the IRS. Krause will serve as acting Commissioner until a new permanent appointment is made.