Bush Nominates Veteran Tax Lawyer To Key Treasury Post

by Mike Godfrey, Tax-News.com, Washington

11 May 2006

President George W. Bush's nomination of tax lawyer Eric Solomon to the key government post of Treasury Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy has been welcomed by senior administration officials, lawmakers and tax experts.

The Assistant Treasury position is considered a vital position within the Treasury as postholders play a central role in the shaping of tax policy.

Solomon, who first joined the Treasury in 1999, currently serves as Treasury's Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regulatory Affairs. He has been credited with successfully overseeing new regulatory guidance during a period of frequent changes to tax legislation.

The post has been vacant since December 2004, when Gregory Jenner, then acting assistant Treasury Secretary for Tax Policy, resigned unexpectedly, and Philip D. Morrison, a Deloitte & Touche LLP accountant, turned down an offer to take his place in May 2005.

Both Republicans and Democrats in Congress are said to admire Solomon's work ethic at the Treasury, while Mark Weinberger, Ernst & Young's vice chairman for Americas tax services and former Assistant Treasury Secretary was quoted by Dow Jones Newswires as observing that Solomon is an "exceptional talent."

Solomon's nomination was also praised by Treasury Secretary John Snow who said it was "welcome news for taxpayers everywhere."

"For over 5 years, Eric has played a crucial role in the design and implementation of the President's pro-growth tax relief policies for workers, families, and businesses. That good work has directly contributed to a thriving, robust economy," Snow observed.

"Eric would bring extensive private-sector experience to this post, as well as insights garnered at the Internal Revenue Service. Eric's significant and varied experience, combined with his passion for protecting the rights of taxpayers makes him uniquely qualified for this important position," he added.

Previously, Solomon was a partner at Ernst & Young LLP, where he was a member of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group of the National Tax Department in Washington, D.C. Before joining Ernst & Young, he served at the Internal Revenue Service for five years, as Assistant Chief Counsel (Corporate), heading the IRS legal division with responsibility for all corporate tax issues.

Prior to joining the IRS, Solomon practiced tax law in New York, and was a partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath in Philadelphia.

Solomon's nomination awaits Congressional approval.

Recommended