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

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 involved in assisting businesses in claiming a tax credit during the pandemic that has been plagued by fraud and has ended up costing the government billions more than expected.

Written by Andrew Duehren.

Writing from the nation

Donald J. Trump, who is set to become the next President, announced his intention to appoint Billy Long, a former Missouri congressman, as the new head of the Internal Revenue Service. This move indicates his plan to remove the current IRS leader, who was appointed by Biden.

Following a defeat in a Senate primary in 2022, Mr. Long has promoted a tax credit introduced during the pandemic that has been heavily abused, leading to higher costs for the government. Lawmakers have attempted to eliminate the tax credit and the I.R.S. has halted processing claims temporarily to identify and reject fraudulent applications.

During a podcast interview in 2023, Mr. Long talked about his efforts to assist businesses in claiming the Employee Retention Tax Credit. He mentioned that he and his team had not faced any rejections from the tax agency for claims they had submitted. This program, established by Congress and Mr. Trump in 2020, was designed to encourage businesses to continue paying their employees during the economic downturn caused by the pandemic.

"We do not sneak anyone past the requirements," he explained. "We ensure that they meet the qualifications for this refund of their own money from the IRS, along with interest."

Donald Trump made a new selection for a key position at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which was revealed on his social media platform. This decision would bring significant changes to the IRS at a crucial time. The current administration, under President Biden, has invested large sums of money in updating the agency and strengthening its efforts to collect taxes. This initiative aims to enhance customer service and combat tax evasion.

President Biden appointed Daniel Werfel, a previous management consultant and government employee with experience in both Democratic and Republican administrations, to head the restructuring of the I.R.S in 2022. Werfel’s term was expected to continue until 2027.

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