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Former Congressman Billy Long from Missouri 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. Unfortunately, this tax credit has been associated with fraud and has resulted in the government losing billions more than expected.
Written by Andrew Duehren
Reporting from the capital
Donald J. Trump, who is set to become the next President, announced on Wednesday his plan to appoint Billy Long, a former congressman from Missouri, as the new head of the Internal Revenue Service. This decision indicates his intention to remove the current leader, who was appointed by President Biden.
Following his loss in a Senate primary in 2022, Mr. Long has promoted a tax credit introduced during the pandemic, which has been plagued by fraudulent claims and has ended up costing the government significantly more than initially anticipated. In response, lawmakers have attempted to eliminate the tax credit altogether, and the I.R.S. has taken steps such as temporarily halting the processing of claims 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 and his team have not had any claims denied by the tax agency. This credit was established in 2020 by Congress and former President Trump as part of a stimulus package aimed at encouraging businesses to continue paying their employees during the economic downturn.
"We do not sneak anyone through," he stated. "We ensure that they meet the qualifications for this refund from the IRS, which includes interest on their own money."
President Trump’s selection, shared on his social media platform, would bring significant change to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) during a crucial time. The Biden administration has invested large amounts of money into updating the agency and strengthening its tax enforcement activities to enhance customer experience and combat tax evasion.
President Biden selected Daniel Werfel, a former consultant and government employee who had experience working in administrations of both political parties, to head the reformation of the I.R.S. Werfel’s term was scheduled to end in 2027.
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