The Revenuers

Every once in a while I get to photograph someone with the IRS, even the IRS commissioner. And it's always a good experience - nice subjects who are interesting to talk with and photograph. Once, trying to work quickly at a House hearing, I jokingly asked an IRS commissioner "to gesture early and often." And he did!

But they also sometimes seem a bit apologetic, as if accustomed to getting teased, at the least, about their jobs.

So let me say: All the IRS folks I've met seemed thoughtful, interested in their work and with a good sense of humor too. If the tax code is impenetrable, blame Congress - and Congress' constituents (that would be us), so many of whom lobby for specialized tax breaks.

The cover shoot above of IRS official Lois Lerner, by the way, was for a story on a report that the average CEO at a nonprofit hospital earns $490,431 annually.