H.R. 7959: IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act
Sponsor
Mike Kelly
Republican · PA-16
What H.R. 7959 does
The IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act (H.R. 7959) would change how IRS whistleblowers are paid and protected. Tax Court review of whistleblower award decisions would be done fresh (de novo), rather than only checking whether the IRS abused its discretion, and whistleblowers could stay anonymous in Tax Court unless a societal interest in disclosure outweighs the potential harm to them.
The IRS's whistleblower report would have to list and describe up to 10 of the top tax avoidance schemes whistleblowers disclosed. The IRS would owe interest on mandatory awards if it fails to tell a whistleblower about an award recommendation on time. Whistleblowers could also deduct attorney fees from their adjusted gross income whether the award came from the mandatory or the discretionary program; today the deduction covers only mandatory awards.
How the House voted
Passed · April 27, 20261 Democrat broke with their party to vote no
Lizzie Fletcher9 Republicans broke with their party to vote no
Josh Brecheen
Eric Burlison
Randy Fine
Andy Harris
Clay Higgins
Thomas Massie
Ralph Norman
Chip Roy
Keith SelfOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended: H R 7959 IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act · Roll no. 138 · Official record
HR7959 Legislative Journey
Committee Action
Apr 28, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
House: Vote: 346-10
Apr 27, 2026
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)
House: Committee Action
Apr 9, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-606.
House: Vote: 41-0
Mar 25, 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
House: Committee Action
Mar 17, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
About the Sponsor
Mike Kelly
Republican, Pennsylvania's 16th congressional district · 15 years in Congress
Committees: Ways and Means
View full profile →
Cosponsors (5)
This bill has 5 cosponsors: 1 Democrat, 4 Republicans, reflecting bipartisan support. Cosponsors represent 5 states: California, Florida, Nebraska, and 2 more.
Committee Sponsors
Finance Committee
0 of 27 committee members cosponsored
No committee members have cosponsored this bill
Ways and Means Committee
5 of 45 committee members cosponsored
36 Republicans across these committees haven't cosponsored yet. Mobilize their constituents
What laws does H.R. 7959 change?
1 changes
Sections Amended
Section 406(c) of division A of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006
striking ``such use,'' in paragraph (1) and inserting ``such use (which shall include a list and descriptions of the top tax avoidance schemes, not to exceed 10, disclosed by whistleblowers during such year),''
H.R. 7959 Quick Facts
- Committee
- Finance
- Chamber
- House
- Policy
- Taxation
- Introduced
- Mar 17, 2026
Passed the House, received in Senate
Apr 28, 2026
H.R. 7959 Bill Text
“To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to make improvements with respect to the treatment of whistleblowers, and for other purposes.”
Source: U.S. Government Publishing Office
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