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Trump Transition: Controversy Surrounds Nomination of Billy Long to Lead I.R.S.

In Citizen
January 18, 2025

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Former Missouri congressman Billy Long has been chosen by Trump to lead the IRS. Long has experience serving six terms in Congress and has also been involved in assisting businesses in claiming a tax credit during the pandemic. This tax credit has faced issues with fraud and has ended up costing the government more money than originally expected.

Written by Andrew Duehren

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Donald J. Trump, who will soon become President, announced on Wednesday that he plans to choose Billy Long, a former congressman from Missouri, to be in charge of the Internal Revenue Service. This means that he intends to remove the current leader, who was appointed by 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 fraud and ended up costing the government billions more than initially anticipated. In response, lawmakers have attempted to eliminate the tax credit, and the I.R.S. has temporarily halted the processing of claims in order to identify and reject fraudulent 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 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 to encourage businesses to continue paying their employees amidst the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

"We do not engage in any deceptive practices," he explained. "We ensure that individuals meet the necessary qualifications for receiving a refund of their own money from the IRS, along with any interest owed."

The selection made by Mr. Trump, which he shared on his social media platform, will bring significant changes to the I.R.S. during a crucial time. The Biden administration has invested large sums of money in updating the agency and strengthening its ability to collect taxes in order to enhance customer service and combat tax evasion.

President Biden selected Daniel Werfel in 2022 to head the I.R.S. overhaul. Werfel is a former management consultant and civil servant who has experience working in administrations from both political parties. His term was expected to continue until 2027.

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