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Former Missouri congressman Billy Long has been chosen by Trump to lead the IRS. Long, who served six terms in Congress, has been involved in assisting businesses in claiming a tax credit during the pandemic that has seen widespread fraud and resulted in the government losing billions more than expected.
Written by Andrew Duehren
Writing from the capital
On Wednesday, President-elect Donald J. Trump announced his intention to nominate Billy Long, a former congressman from Missouri, to be the new head of the Internal Revenue Service. This move would mean that the current leader of the IRS, who was appointed by Biden, would be replaced.
Following his loss in a Senate primary in 2022, Mr. Long promoted a tax credit created during the pandemic that has been heavily abused by fraudulent activity, resulting in the government losing billions more than anticipated. In response, lawmakers have attempted to eliminate the tax credit, and the I.R.S. has temporarily halted processing claims to address the issue of false applications for the tax break.
During a podcast interview in 2023, Mr. Long talked about his efforts in assisting businesses with claiming the Employee Retention Tax Credit. He mentioned that up to that point, none of the claims had been 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 amid the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.
According to him, they do not sneak anyone through the process. They ensure that individuals truly qualify for the refund from the IRS, along with any interest owed to them.
President Trump announced his selection for a new leader of the IRS through a post on his social media platform. This decision is significant as it comes at a crucial time for the agency. The Biden administration has allocated a large sum of money to update and strengthen the IRS, with the goal of enhancing customer service and combatting tax evasion.
President Biden appointed Daniel Werfel, a former consultant and government employee with experience in both Democratic and Republican administrations, to head the reorganization of the IRS in 2022. Werfel’s term was scheduled to end in 2027.
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