(a) Notwithstanding section 9502, and without regard to the provisions of this title governing appointments in the competitive service or the Senior Executive Service and chapters 51 and 53 (relating to classification and pay rates), the Secretary of the Treasury may, Before [1] September 30, 2013, establish, fix the compensation of, and appoint individuals to, designated critical administrative, technical, and professional positions needed to carry out the functions of the Internal Revenue Service, if—
(1) the positions—
(2)
exercise of the authority is necessary to recruit or retain an individual exceptionally well qualified for the position;
(7)
total annual compensation for any appointee to such positions does not exceed the highest total annual compensation payable at the rate determined under section 104 of title 3; and
(b)
Individuals appointed under this section shall not be considered to be employees for purposes of subchapter II of chapter 75.
(Added Pub. L. 105–206, title I, § 1201(a), July 22, 1998, 112 Stat. 712; amended Pub. L. 110–161, div. D, title I, § 105, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat. 1977; Pub. L. 113–6, div. F, title III, § 1309, Mar. 26, 2013, 127 Stat. 418.)