PRESS RELEASE: AIA Statement on IRS’s Holly Paz and Elizabeth Kastenberg Placed On Leave For Targeting Conservative Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 30, 2025) — The Alliance for IRS Accountability welcomes the news that Holly Paz, Commissioner of the Large Business and International Division, and Elizabeth Kastenberg, of the Office of Professional Responsibility, were placed on leave while the IRS investigates their targeting of conservative taxpayers. The Large Business and International Division houses a pass-through audit unit that has been used by Paz as a political hit squad to target conservative-leaning businesses and partnerships. It was created by the Biden administration and has no basis in federal law.
"Holly Paz has a long history of political targeting, which is why AIA filed a FOIA request seeking her communications last April," said Chuck Flint, CEO for the Alliance for IRS Accountability. "Paz's leadership position as Commissioner of the LB&I Division erodes public trust in the IRS. Placing her on administrative leave while her conduct is reviewed is a more than appropriate step. Commissioner Billy Long promised to change a broken IRS culture plagued by targeting, intimidation, and harassment. We commend his decisive action to protect taxpayers."
Specifically, AIA filed a FOIA request for Paz’s communications and repeatedly questioned why Paz, Lois Lerner's former deputy dating back to the Tea Party scandal, was still at the IRS leading a conservative political hit squad masquerading as a fair-minded audit team of pass-through businesses.
AIA’s mission is to protect taxpayers and small businesses from misconduct. Abusive enforcement practices like those orchestrated under Paz must end. The American people deserve answers about why Paz has remained at the agency and was promoted. AIA will not stop until we receive the information American taxpayers deserve.
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The Alliance for IRS Accountability (AIA) is dedicated to protecting taxpayers and small businesses. The IRS is broken and operates with unchecked power. This has led to abusive enforcement practices and regulatory overreach that have unfairly targeted hard-working American taxpayers and business owners. AIA is building a broad alliance that will create a fair, transparent, and law-abiding agency that is accountable to individual Americans and businesses.
MEDIA CONTACT
Chuck Flint, CEO of the Alliance for IRS Accountability