Restoring Professionalism to Professions

Publication Date: April 2007

Publisher: Tax Policy Center

Author(s): C. Eugene Steuerle

Research Area: Banking and finance

Keywords: Taxes, the Budget, and the Economy; Fiscal future

Type: Report

Abstract:

At a recent Tax Analysts session on the administration of the tax laws for large and midsize businesses, former IRS Commissioner Larry Gibbs spoke out, as he has done frequently, on the importance of professionalism. His concerns relate to the fundamental issue of whether we can count on professionals?largely accountants and lawyers?to maintain a viable tax system through their allegiance to high professional standards. This article discusses the importance these high professional standards and encourages readers to take concerns about a decline in professionalism seriously.