IR-2005-87, September 1, 2005 WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service today announced the selection of Joseph H. Grant as the Director of Employee Plans Rulings and Agreements in the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division. Grant will be responsible for leading and managing Employee Plans’ voluntary compliance programs, determination letter program and development of guidance and rulings. “These up-front compliance programs play a key role in our efforts to balance service and enforcement,” said Steven T. Miller, Tax Exempt and Government Entities Division Commissioner. “Our strong determinations program gets new plans off on the right foot so they don’t fall into noncompliance with the law. Our rulings program gives plan administrators the guidance and information they need to keep plans in compliance with the ever-changing laws that govern retirement plans. And our innovative voluntary corrections program helps plans make necessary corrections so they can remain tax-exempt. Joseph is taking over a solid, multi-faceted program in Rulings and Agreements that complements and balances our enforcement efforts.” Grant comes to the IRS from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), where he was deputy executive director and chief operating officer. There he exercised direct control over the day-to-day operations relating to monitoring more than 31,000 pension plans covering 44 million participants. The PBGC ensures that plan participants receive guaranteed pension benefits. “Joseph’s experience at the PBGC will be invaluable in his new position with Employee Plans,” Miller said. “One of our key areas of concern is pension under-funding. We work closely with the PBGC in this area, and look forward to the contributions Joseph will bring.” In addition to his experience at PBGC, Grant also was on the staff of the Oversight and Social Security subcommittees of the Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives.
