The IRS tax court issued a very important decision yesterday in Whistleblower 14106-10W vs. Commissioner of Internal Revenue regarding confidential and anonymous whistleblower claims through the IRS. The court’s first-ever decision on this matter upholds whistleblowers’ right to file anonymous claims—a major victory for whistleblowers and their advocates.
Dean Zerbe, Special Counsel at the National Whistleblowers Center, issued the following statement:
“Whistleblowers should be heartened by yesterday’s decision from the tax court that helps ensure their anonymity. The Tax Court in a thoughtful and informed opinion clearly understands the need to protect the identity of whistleblowers. This is another opinion from the Tax Court that is pro-whistleblower. The Tax Court is establishing a reputation as a court that understands this law and the underlying policy very well and is committed to ensuring that the whistleblower gets a fair hearing and the IRS whistleblower law works. A welcome early Christmas present for whistleblowers.”
