Sharyn M. Fisk was named Director of the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) in January 2020. As Director, she is responsible for the IRS’ oversight of tax professionals who practice before the IRS as set out in Treasury Circular 230.

Sharyn’s extensive background in the tax community brings over 20 years of tax experience to the OPR position. Before coming to the IRS, Sharyn was Professor of Tax at Cal Poly Pomona and Director of the University’s VITA program. Prior to teaching, Sharyn was in private practice specializing in tax controversies. As a private practitioner, Sharyn represented hundreds of individuals, businesses, and corporate taxpayers before the IRS, the Department of Justice Tax Division, federal and state courts, and state taxing authorities. These matters involved civil examinations and appeals, criminal investigations, and tax collection issues. Before becoming a private practitioner, Sharyn clerked for the Honorable Maurice Foley, Judge, U.S. Tax Court.

Sharyn has held leadership roles in several professional organizations. She served as a former Chair of the Tax Policy, Practice and Legislation Committee for the American Bar Association (ABA). She is a past Chair of the Taxation Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Taxation Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association. In 2019, Sharyn concluded a three-year term as a member of the IRS Advisory Council (IRSAC). She chaired a task force on unenrolled return preparers on behalf of the Standards of Tax Practice Committee for the ABA Taxation Section. She is also a Fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel. Sharyn wrote and spoke extensively before national, state, and local tax professional organizations on all aspects of civil and criminal tax controversy issues and ethics in tax practice.

Sharyn earned a B.A. in Journalism from San Diego State University, a J.D. from Rutgers University, and an LL.M in taxation from the New York University School of Law.