IRS Selects Senior Industry Advisor for
Retailers, Food & Pharmaceuticals Industry

WASHINGTON - The Internal Revenue Service announced today the appointment of W. Kurt Meier as Senior Industry Advisor to the Retailers, Food and Pharmaceuticals industry segment of the Large and Mid-Size Business (LMSB) Division.

The Retailers, Food, and Pharmaceuticals industry segment of LMSB includes the sub-components of beverages, tobacco, garments, small household appliances, hotels, agricultural commodities and farms. The industry segment, which began operations in June 2000, services approximately 1,000 large businesses and 28,200 mid-size businesses nationwide.

“Kurt Meier will provide guidance on industry issues including legislation and regulations. He will also work with IRS Counsel on industry issues and work toward enhancing relationships with the agency´s external stakeholders, “ said Larry Langdon, Commissioner, LMSB.

As Senior Industry Advisor, Meier has primary responsibility for providing policy-level technical analysis and advice to Retailers, Food and Pharmaceuticals Industry Director Bob Brazzil. This supports LMSB´s goal of ensuring consistency of approach and equitable treatment of taxpayers. Meier will be based in Downers Grove, Illinois.

Prior to joining the IRS, Meier was the Senior Engagement Coordinator for Ernst and Young in Chicago. In this position, he was responsible for coordinating tax requirements for companies and advising clients on all aspects of tax compliance. Prior to joining Ernst and Young, Meier held several increasingly responsible tax positions at Morton International in Chicago, Illinois. He was an International Tax Specialist, a Manager in the areas of Domestic Taxes and Research and Planning, and the Director of Domestic Taxes and Planning. Culminating with his appointment as Director of Taxes in 1992, Meier had responsibility for directing worldwide tax operations and the company''s effective tax rate. He has designed and implemented tax sharing agreements and has extensive experience providing expert guidance in the areas of acquisitions, mergers, and dispositions.

Meier is a Certified Public Accountant. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from the University of Southern California and his law degree from the University of Illinois, College of Law. He is a past president of the Tax Executives Institute (TEI), Chicago Chapter and has been a member in several professional organizations such as the Tax Foundation, the Chicago Tax Club, Committee on State Taxation and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). In addition, Meier has co-authored a large case tax manual of "Best Practices" with the IRS and TEI.

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