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Former Congressman Billy Long, who represented Missouri for six terms, has been chosen by Trump to lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Long has been assisting businesses in claiming a tax credit during the pandemic that has faced issues with fraud and has ended up costing the government more money than originally expected.
Written by Andrew Duehren
Writing from the capital
Donald J. Trump, who is set to become the next President, announced that he plans to appoint Billy Long, a former congressman from Missouri, as the new head of the Internal Revenue Service. This decision indicates his intention 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 designed for the pandemic era. However, this credit has been plagued by fraudulent activities, leading to a much higher cost to the government than initially anticipated. In response, lawmakers have attempted to halt the tax credit program, and the I.R.S. has temporarily ceased processing claims to address the issue of false applications.
During a podcast interview in 2023, Mr. Long talked about his efforts in assisting businesses in claiming the Employee Retention Tax Credit. He mentioned that he and his team had not faced any rejections from the tax agency so far. 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 downturn caused by the pandemic.
"We do not cheat or deceive anyone," he explained. "We ensure that they meet all the qualifications to receive a refund from the IRS, including any interest owed to them."
The announcement made by Mr. Trump on his social media platform will bring significant changes to the I.R.S. during a crucial time. The Biden administration has invested a substantial amount of money to update the agency and strengthen its tax collection operations in order to enhance customer service and combat tax evasion.
President Biden selected Daniel Werfel in 2022 to be in charge of making significant changes to the I.R.S. Werfel, with experience working in various administrations, was chosen for his background in management consulting and civil service. He was expected to lead the I.R.S. overhaul until 2027.
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