IRS chief says agency is 'deeply concerned' by higher audit rates for Black taxpayers

Here, the Internal Revenue Service building in Washington, on March 22, 2013. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel acknowledged that Black taxpayers may be audited at higher rates than non-Black taxpayers. (Susan Walsh/AP)

Black taxpayers are audited at higher rates than other racial groups, an internal IRS investigation has confirmed.

"While there is a need for further research, our initial findings support the conclusion that Black taxpayers may be audited at higher rates than would be expected given their share of the population," IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel told lawmakers.