Jordan presses IRS chief on allegations agent entered Ohioan's home using fake name

The agency later informed the taxpayer that the case had been closed and that she owed no money on either the estate or her own filings.

By Ben Whedon

Published: June 16, 2023 9:45pm

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan on Friday wrote to IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel asking that he account for a "bizarre" field visit in which an IRS agent alleged secured entry to an Ohio resident's home using a fake name and under false pretenses.

"We have recently received allegations that an Internal Revenue Service agent provided a false name to an Ohio taxpayer as part of a deception to gain entry into the taxpayer’s home to confront her about delinquent tax filings," Jordan wrote. "When the taxpayer rightfully objected to the agent’s tactics, the IRS agent insisted that he 'can... go into anyone’s house at any time' as an IRS agent. These allegations raise serious concerns about the IRS’s commitment to fundamental civil liberties."

Jordan detailed the alleged April 25, 2023, in which an IRS agent using the name "Bill Haus" visited a Marion, Ohio, taxpayer. Haus informed the resident he was there to address an estate for which she was a fiduciary. The taxpayer admitted "Haus" to her home on that basis. The agent subsequently informed the woman that he was actually there to address several allegedly delinquent tax filings, prompting her to call a lawyer, who asked that the agent leave. The agent fumed at that, insisting he had the authority to remain in the home.

Though he ultimately relented and left, Haus insisted he would mail the taxpayer the relevant paperwork. She later called the local police department who ran the license plate of the agent's vehicle and contacted him. Haus admitted to using an alias and later filed a complaint against the officer who called him.

The taxpayer subsequently was able to contact Haus's supervisor, who admitted the case had proceeded farther than necessary. The agency later informed the taxpayer that the case had been closed and that she owed no money on either the estate or her own filings.

Jordan called the agent's behavior "highly concerning" and asked that Werfel provide him with documents and communications related to Haus's field visit and any materials related to the case against the Ohio taxpayer, setting a deadline of June 30.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.