The Internal Revenue Service has announced the appointment of Beanna J. Whitlock as director of National Public Liaison, a division of the agency that serves as a vital link to tax professionals and practitioners, business associations, taxpayer assistance groups and federal agencies.

Whitlock, who assumed her post on June 30, has been a tax professional for 35 years and an enrolled agent since 1979. She maintains a tax and financial services business in San Antonio.

"Beanna’s experience representing taxpayers, her participation in numerous professional organizations and her commitment to professional education brings critical expertise to the National Public Liaison office," said David R. Williams, chief of the IRS Communications & Liaison division, of which National Public Liaison is part. "Beanna will play an important leadership role in a critical office for the IRS."

As director of National Public Liaison, Whitlock will oversee the Internal Revenue Service Advisory Council (IRSAC), the Information Reporting Program Advisory Committee (IRPAC) and the annual IRS tax forums. She will play a leading role representing the IRS before practitioners, federal agencies and other stakeholders.

From her position outside the agency, Whitlock has already functioned as a key link between the practitioner community and the IRS. She recently began a two-year term in IRPAC’s Small Business and Self-Employed subgroup. In recent years, she has also been a member of the IRS Commissioner’s Advisory Group, representing small business, and has served on the IRS District Director Liaison Committees in the former South Texas and Dallas districts.

Whitlock has contributed to the IRS non-filer program, instructed IRS trainers involved in the National Research Program examinations and been a top practitioner resource for the IRS, whether writing for IRS publications or teaching Executive Development courses.

Whitlock also maintains ties with numerous professional organizations, including the National Association of Enrolled Agents, the National Society of Accountants, the National Association of Tax Professionals, the Texas Society of Enrolled Agents and the Tax Advocates Council.