Gov. Tom Wolf Friday announced the retirement of Department of Revenue Secretary Eileen McNulty after 30 years of public service. She will retire on April 21.
The Governor named C. Daniel Hassell, acting revenue secretary effective April 21. Hassell was previously revenue secretary in 2010 and currently serves as the department’s deputy secretary of tax policy.
“As a former Revenue Secretary, I know firsthand how challenging and demanding a task the job can be,” Gov. Wolf said. “Eileen has handled her job with distinction and took a tremendous amount of pride in the work. She will be missed, but I have great confidence in Dan’s ability to lead this important department.”
“Serving in the Wolf administration and working for the people of Pennsylvania is an honor,” said Secretary McNulty. “Leaving will be difficult, but I am extremely proud of the progress the department has made over the past two years.”
Under Secretary McNulty’s leadership, the Department of Revenue made numerous improvements to customer service and tax administration for individuals and businesses. To combat the rise in tax identity theft, a unit launched last year to help identity theft victims prevent and respond to refund tax fraud, saving the Commonwealth $6.4 million in 2016.
At the request of the business community, several services have been streamlined and enhanced. The department created a one-stop shop for businesses to update tax account information and, for the first time, businesses can access their statement of account online.
In less than nine months, nearly 15,000 statements have been generated for businesses and tax professionals. The Office of Administration awarded the project the Pennsylvania Excellence in Technology Award.
Further, The Pennsylvania Lottery – a division of the Department of Revenue – continues to set records for sales, profits and funding for seniors programs. Last year, the PA Lottery topped $4 billion in sales and for the fifth consecutive fiscal year generated more than $1 billion in revenue to benefit older Pennsylvanians.”
“With the tax filing season ending on April 18 and the tax amnesty period beginning, this will be the perfect time to make the transition,” said McNulty. “I have tremendous respect for Dan and full confidence in his ability to lead the department forward.”
Hassell is an expert in tax policy with more than three decades of experience with the Department of Revenue and the Pennsylvania Senate. In December 2009, Gov. Ed Rendell nominated Hassell as Secretary of Revenue, after which he was confirmed on April 14, 2010 and served in that capacity until January 2011.
“Working with Eileen throughout the years has always been rewarding,” said Hassell. “We will miss her unwavering commitment to excellence and the fair and equitable collection of taxes that fund the services Pennsylvanians need, but we wish her well as she begins an exciting new chapter in life.”
