Leadership Shift at the IRS
In a significant leadership shift for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Jarod Koopman has been appointed as the Acting Chief Tax Compliance Officer. In this new position, he will be responsible for managing IRS staff within various enforcement divisions, including the Large Business and International (LBI) division, as well as the Small Business/Self-Employed sector, Tax Exempt and Government Entities division, and more. His oversight extends to critical units such as IRS Criminal Investigation, the Office of Professional Responsibility, and the Return Preparer Office.
Koopman’s Background and Achievements
Koopman, who has been a part of the IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) executive team since 2016, played a pivotal role in establishing both the Cyber Crimes section and the Cyber and Forensics Services division, taking on leadership roles as their Director. Thanks to his vision and direction, the IRS-CI has risen to prominence in the realms of cryptocurrency investigation and dark web operations, effectively positioning itself as a leader on the global stage in these advanced investigative areas.
Before taking on this role in Washington, D.C., Koopman held significant positions such as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Chicago Field Office and later, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office. His experience in these roles included guiding high-stakes investigations and shaping the strategic approach of CI personnel across the states of Michigan and Illinois.
Koopman’s career trajectory has seen him promoted to Supervisory Special Agent for the Western District of New York in April 2010, and shortly after, he participated in the Accelerated Senior Leadership Program, transitioning to a Senior Analyst role at IRS Headquarters. There, he contributed to the agency’s intensified efforts against identity theft, particularly following its designation as a national concern in 2012.
Education and Recognition
Hailing from Upstate New York and an alumnus of Nazareth University in Rochester, Koopman began his career in law enforcement in 2002 after his training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), where he excelled notably in both the Criminal Investigator Training Program and the Special Agent Basic Training Program, finishing as the top graduate.
His contributions have been acknowledged in Michael Lewis’ bestselling book “Who is Government” and have been featured in a Washington Post series known as “Cyber Sleuth”.
Supporting Leadership
Alongside Koopman, Stewart Pearlman will step into the role of Acting Deputy Chief within the Chief Tax Compliance Officer organization. Previously acting as the Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Pearlman has over a decade of experience with the Small Business/Self-Employed division, working on initiatives such as Abusive Trusts and developing the Affordable Care Act team, amongst other key projects. His insights and experience are expected to complement Koopman’s leadership as they navigate the agency’s evolving compliance landscape.
