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Trump Transition: Ex-Congressman Billy Long Nominated to Lead IRS Amid Controversy and Fraud Allegations

In Citizen
January 18, 2025

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Former congressman Billy Long, who represented Missouri for six terms, has been chosen by Trump to lead the IRS. Long has been assisting companies in obtaining a tax credit during the pandemic that has been plagued by fraudulent claims and has ended up costing the government much more than expected.

Written by Andrew Duehren

Live from the nation

President-elect Donald J. Trump announced on Wednesday his intention to nominate Billy Long, a former congressman from Missouri, to be in charge of the Internal Revenue Service. This implies that he plans to remove the current leader of the IRS, who was appointed by President Biden.

Following his loss in a Senate primary in 2022, Mr. Long has promoted a tax credit designed for the pandemic period. However, the tax credit has faced issues with fraud, resulting in a higher cost to the government than initially anticipated. To address this, lawmakers have attempted to eliminate the tax credit, and the I.R.S. has temporarily halted processing claims to identify and eliminate false applications.

During a podcast interview in 2023, Mr. Long talked about his efforts to assist businesses in applying for the Employee Retention Tax Credit. He mentioned that he and his team have not had any of their claims denied by the tax agency. The credit, established by Congress and former President Trump in 2020, was included in a large stimulus package to encourage businesses to continue paying their employees amid the economic shutdown.

"We do not deceive anyone by bypassing the rules," he stated. "We take great care to ensure that they meet the requirements for receiving this refund from the IRS, along with the interest."

Donald Trump has made a new selection for a position at the I.R.S., which was shared on his social media platform. This decision could bring significant changes to the I.R.S. during a crucial time. The Biden administration has invested a large amount of money into updating the agency and strengthening its tax collection initiatives to enhance customer service and combat tax evasion.

President Biden appointed Daniel Werfel in 2022 to be in charge of restructuring the I.R.S. Werfel is a former management consultant and civil servant who has served in various administrations from both political parties. He is expected to lead the I.R.S. overhaul until 2027.

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