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Trump Transition: Ex-Congressman Billy Long Nominated to Lead IRS Amid Controversy over Tax Credit Fraud

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 businesses in claiming a tax credit during the pandemic, which has been plagued by fraud and has resulted in the government losing billions more than expected.

Written by Andrew Duehren

Updating from the capital

On Wednesday, President-elect Donald J. Trump announced his intention to nominate Billy Long, a former congressman from Missouri, to be in charge of the Internal Revenue Service. This move indicates his plans to remove the current leader of the tax collection agency, who was appointed by President Biden.

After Mr. Long lost a Senate primary race in 2022, he promoted a tax credit designed for the pandemic period that has experienced widespread fraud, 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 identify and reject fraudulent applications.

During a podcast interview in 2023, Mr. Long talked about how he assists businesses in taking advantage of the Employee Retention Tax Credit. He mentioned that so far, none of their claims have been rejected by the tax agency. This credit, established by Congress and former President Trump in 2020, was included in a stimulus package to encourage businesses to continue paying their employees despite the economic downturn.

He emphasized that they do not sneak anyone through the process of qualifying for the refund from the IRS. They ensure that individuals genuinely qualify for the refund with interest on their own money.

Donald Trump’s recent selection, revealed on his social media platform, is set to make significant changes within the IRS during a crucial period. The current administration, under President Biden, has invested heavily in updating the agency and strengthening its tax enforcement measures to enhance customer service and combat tax evasion.

President Biden appointed Daniel Werfel, a former management consultant and civil servant with experience in both Democratic and Republican administrations, to head the restructuring of the I.R.S. Werfel was expected to serve in this role until 2027.

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