Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long of Missouri, a man who once proposed legislation to dismantle the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), was confirmed on Thursday as its Chief. A 53-44 Senate vote finalized this critical appointment, providing the IRS with a stable leadership after a period marked by acting heads and significant staffing cuts.
Long, a former auctioneer who served in Congress from 2011 to 2023, has no prior experience in tax administration. His new role puts him at the helm of the IRS, an agency currently in the throes of significant change. This includes allegations of mishandling sensitive taxpayer data by the Department of Government Efficiency, led by then-adviser Elon Musk. Reports indicate that advocacy groups and unions have taken legal measures to inhibit the Department’s access to such data.
The IRS was among the most high-profile agencies without a Senate-confirmed leader. Four acting leaders had held the position in succession, each with their own set of controversies. One resigned over a contentious agreement to share immigrants’ tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Another found themselves entangled in a dispute between Musk and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Long’s tenure at the IRS raises important questions about the future of the agency. Tax experts voice concerns about potential disruptions in the 2026 filing season due to the departure of a substantial number of tax collection workers. An IRS representative confirmed on Thursday that the agency had reduced its staff by nearly 20,000 workers, but maintained that this number merely mirrored the number of jobs added during the Biden administration.
This development follows earlier reports that Long worked with a firm that distributed the pandemic-era employee retention tax credit post his unsuccessful Senate run. The program was later shut down following allegations of fraud by then-IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel. This raises important questions about Long’s connections to disputed tax credit loopholes, a situation that has prompted calls from Democrats for a criminal inquiry.
The IRS under Long’s leadership faces an uncertain future. The fate of the Direct File program, a free electronic tax return filing system developed during President Joe Biden’s administration, also hangs in the balance. Long assured during his confirmation hearing that it would be part of the early discussions post his appointment. As we enter this new chapter for the IRS, it is crucial to maintain our commitment to staying informed and understanding the far-reaching implications of these developments.