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Former Missouri congressman Billy Long has been chosen by Trump to lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). During his time in office, Long served six terms as a representative. After leaving Congress, he assisted businesses in claiming a tax credit meant to help during the pandemic, but has been plagued by fraud and has ended up costing the government billions more than expected.
Written by Andrew Duehren
Writing from the nation
President-elect Donald J. Trump announced on Wednesday that he plans to appoint Billy Long, a former congressman from Missouri, as the new head of the Internal Revenue Service. This decision indicates that he intends to replace the current leader of the IRS, who was appointed by President Biden.
Following his defeat in a Senate primary in 2022, Mr. Long has promoted a tax credit created during the pandemic that has been heavily exploited by fraudulent claims, leading to billions of dollars in unexpected costs for the government. Lawmakers have attempted to eliminate the tax credit, and the I.R.S. has temporarily halted processing claims to investigate and prevent false applications for the tax break.
During a podcast interview in 2023, Mr. Long talked about his experience assisting businesses in claiming the Employee Retention Tax Credit. He mentioned that so far, he and his team have not had any of their claims denied by the tax agency. This credit was established by Congress and former President Trump in 2020 as a way to encourage businesses to continue paying their employees during the economic shutdown.
He explained that they do not sneak anyone through the process, but instead ensure that they qualify for a refund of their own money from the I.R.S. with interest.
Mr. Trump made a new selection for a key position at the IRS through his social media platform, which will bring significant changes to the organization during a crucial time. The Biden administration has invested a large amount of money in updating the agency and strengthening its efforts to collect taxes, aiming to enhance customer service and combat tax evasion.
President Biden appointed Daniel Werfel, an experienced individual who had worked in various roles in both Democratic and Republican governments, to spearhead the restructuring of the I.R.S in 2022. Werfel’s tenure was expected to run until 2027.
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