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Trump’s Controversial Pick for I.R.S. Leadership Sparks Debate and Concerns

In Citizen
January 18, 2025

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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 assisting businesses in claiming a tax credit during the pandemic that has seen widespread fraud and led to the government losing billions more than expected.

Written by Andrew Duehren

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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 decision indicates his plan to dismiss the current head of the IRS, who was appointed by President 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 fraudulent claims, 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 the processing of claims in order to identify and reject false 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 had not experienced any rejections from the tax agency for these claims. The program was established by Congress and former President Trump in 2020 as a part of a large stimulus package to encourage businesses to continue paying their employees during the economic downturn.

He explained that they do not sneak anyone through, but rather make sure that they truly qualify for the refund from the IRS, including any interest owed.

President Trump made a new appointment to the IRS through his social media platform, which will have a significant impact on the agency. The Biden administration has invested a large amount of money into updating the IRS and strengthening its tax collection operations to enhance customer service and combat tax evasion.

President Biden selected Daniel Werfel in 2022 to head the reform of the I.R.S. Werfel, a former management consultant and civil servant with experience in both Democratic and Republican administrations, was appointed to serve until 2027.

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