Trump names pick for top tax position at Treasury

President Trump on Wednesday announced his pick for a top tax-policy position in his Treasury Department, as the administration works toward the goal of enacting tax-reform legislation this year.

The White House said that Trump intends to nominate David Kautter to be assistant secretary of the Treasury for tax policy. If confirmed, Kautter would oversee tax matters in the department and would likely play a key role in the administration’s tax-reform efforts.

{mosads}Kautter currently leads the Washington National Tax group at RSM. He previously was managing director of American University’s Kogod Tax Center and spent more than 30 years at Ernst and Young. He has also served as tax legislative counsel for former Sen. John Danforth (R-Mo.), according to a news release from the White House.

Kautter’s nomination comes as the Trump administration has made tax reform one of its main focuses. The White House unveiled tax-reform principles in April, and administration officials are now meeting with lawmakers and business leaders as they work to develop a more detailed plan that the White House and congressional Republicans can get behind.