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Former Congressman Billy Long from Missouri has been chosen by Trump to lead the IRS. Long, who served six terms in Congress, has been assisting businesses in claiming a tax credit during the pandemic that has seen widespread fraud and has ended up costing the government billions more than initially expected.
Written by Andrew Duehren
Writing from the nation
Donald J. Trump, who is soon to be inaugurated as President, announced his intention to appoint Billy Long, a previous congressman from Missouri, as the new head of the Internal Revenue Service. This move indicates his plan to remove the current leader, who was appointed by President Biden.
Following his defeat in a Senate primary in 2022, Mr. Long has promoted a tax credit introduced during the pandemic that has been plagued by fraudulent claims, resulting in the government spending billions more than anticipated. Efforts have been made by lawmakers to end the tax credit, with the IRS halting the processing of claims temporarily to investigate and eliminate false applications for the tax break.
During a podcast interview in 2023, Mr. Long talked about his efforts in assisting businesses in applying for the Employee Retention Tax Credit. He mentioned that neither he nor his colleagues had ever had a claim denied by the tax agency. This program was established by Congress and former President Trump in 2020 as a part of a comprehensive stimulus package aimed at encouraging businesses to continue paying their employees during the economic downturn.
"We do not engage in any deceptive practices," he stated. "We thoroughly verify that individuals meet the qualifications for this refund from the IRS along with any accrued interest."
President Trump’s decision, shared on his social media platform, has the potential to make significant changes within the IRS during a crucial time. The Biden administration has invested large amounts of money in updating the agency and strengthening its efforts to collect taxes to enhance customer service and combat tax evasion.
In 2022, President Biden appointed Daniel Werfel, who has experience working in various political administrations, to be in charge of revamping the I.R.S. Werfel, a former management consultant and civil servant, was expected to serve in this role until 2027.
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