IRS Announces Melanie Krause as Acting Commissioner Following Doug O’Donnell’s Retirement
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has named IRS Chief Operating Officer Melanie Krause as the acting IRS Commissioner, succeeding Doug O’Donnell, who will retire after nearly four decades with the agency.
Doug O’Donnell, who has been the acting Commissioner since January, has played a significant role in various leadership capacities, including serving as Acting Commissioner from November 2022 to March 2023. He is set to officially retire on Friday.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed gratitude for O’Donnell’s decades of service, stating, “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.”
Krause, who has held the Chief Operating Officer position since April 2024, has oversight of vital operations such as finance, risk management, and human resources. Previously, she served as the Deputy Commissioner of Operations Support, where she led essential operational functions.
Joining the IRS in October 2021 as Chief Data & Analytics Officer, Krause advanced research and AI initiatives. She also briefly held the position of Acting Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
Krause brings extensive experience from her previous roles in the federal oversight community, including at the Government Accountability Office and the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General. A licensed registered nurse, she holds multiple degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
As acting Commissioner, Krause will oversee the agency’s operations and priorities leading up to the crucial April tax deadline, with the agency yet to disclose a timeline for appointing a permanent Commissioner.
O’Donnell’s retirement signifies the conclusion of a distinguished career at the IRS, highlighting the agency’s commitment to continuity and effective leadership during this transition period.
