IRS Large Business and International (LB&I) Division Commissioner Mabeline Baldwin shared the division’s current priorities and how it’s adjusting to last year’s workforce reductions.
Tax certainty is “top of mind” for the division, Baldwin said during the Tax Executives Institute’s Audits & Appeals Seminar on September 10. That includes updating tax forms to eliminate redundancies and incorporate recent changes in law.
She also confirmed alignment with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s expressed priorities: increasing compliance, taxpayer privacy, and customer service. A key focus for the division, said Baldwin, is working to “meet people where they need to be” — both in terms of programs and staffing.
Fast Track in focus
One program that LB&I is focused on growing is Fast Track, the IRS’ voluntary mediation program. She explained that if a taxpayer chooses Fast Track, their case remains with LB&I — however, Appeals provides a mediator. And if the dispute is not settled during Fast Track, taxpayers still have the right to request a traditional appeal.
Baldwin emphasized the uptick in cases going through Fast Track in recent years. While fiscal year 2026 numbers are being finalized, Baldwin said that 53 cases were accepted into Fast Track in fiscal year 2025, up from 39 a year earlier. And 38 cases in Fast Track were closed in fiscal year 2025.
The IRS’ goal is to resolve LB&I Fast Track cases within 120 days from when the application is accepted. Baldwin shared that the current average closure time was just under that 120-day goal. She stressed that timeline is drastically different from the typical Appeals process, where a taxpayer might wait two years just to have their case heard.
Fast Track doesn’t always lead to issue resolution, but “it’s good,” IRS Northeast Compliance Director Brenda Sarini added. “The feedback has been positive for those who’ve gone through the process,” she said.
And Baldwin stressed that the IRS’ intention is to come into the Fast Track process “in good faith” and in pursuit of a resolution. While that message has been challenging to get out to staff, she said she’s “working on it” — and she’s encouraging staff who’ve gone through Fast Track to share their positive experiences with co-workers.
Workforce rebounds
Baldwin acknowledged recent workforce reductions at LB&I and throughout the IRS, but said the division has “settled in” this fiscal year. “There is no big reorganization to speak of,” she stressed.
Amid the staffing changes, a key focus has been to “ensure stability in teams,” said Baldwin. In addition to losing staff in 2025, some IRS staff shifted around internally. However, Baldwin said in most instances, these shifted employees’ work “went with them” when they moved.
Sarini confirmed that, adding that in her experience, employees took their cases along. She said she’s “not expecting to see any disruption there.”
And while there was limited external hiring this past fiscal year, Baldwin noted that LB&I recently hired 10 new economists. She explained that the division “never really had enough economists” and that those it previously employed were “always at capacity.”
And the division is now getting approval to post more jobs, Baldwin shared. She said LB&I plans to hire additional specialists and revenue agents. “We are definitely in a better place now than we were coming into the fiscal year,” she added.
But Baldwin noted that LB&I had lost resources to Appeals and Chief Counsel, as staff continue to be shifted around.
Travel no longer on hold
While IRS staff travel was restricted last year, Baldwin and Sarini shared that staff travel requests with a business justification are now being approved.
“Our CEO has made it clear that mission critical travel will continue,” said Baldwin, adding that “mission critical” is being interpreted broadly. Where teams are working remotely and request travel, Baldwin said that request typically will be approved.
Sarini confirmed that in the Northeast, if there is a reason for the travel — a business justification — it will be approved.
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