The IRS is undergoing a massive leadership shift under the Trump administration, putting its future direction under a microscope as taxpayers and professionals ponder what lies ahead for the once politically embattled agency.
At a Glance
- Former Missouri Rep. Billy Long has been confirmed as the new IRS Commissioner.
- Long previously sponsored legislation to abolish the IRS, raising questions about his approach to leading the agency.
- The Trump administration aims to reverse the IRS expansions that were funded by the Biden-era Inflation Reduction Act.
- The appointment has ignited a fierce partisan debate over the future of U.S. tax policy and enforcement.
An Unconventional Leader for a Beleaguered Agency
Billy Long, a former Republican Congressman from Missouri, has officially taken the helm as the 51st Commissioner of the IRS. Long was confirmed by the Senate in a 53–44 vote in June and has now been sworn into office, ending a period of interim leadership at the agency.
Long’s appointment is anything but conventional. A former auctioneer and radio host, he has no professional background in tax administration. Most controversially, while serving in Congress, Long co-sponsored the Fair Tax Act, a bill that called for the complete abolition of the IRS and the federal income tax system.
Billy Long sworn in as IRS commissioner, taking over an agency he once sought to close | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/W4KQFzlBTR
— KOAT.com (@koat7news) July 19, 2025
The Political Battle Over Funding and Focus
Long’s arrival comes as the IRS is at the center of a major political and financial tug-of-war. The previous administration, under President Biden, had allocated a hefty ~$80 billion in new, long-term funding to the agency through the Inflation Reduction Act, intended to boost enforcement and modernize technology.
However, the Trump administration and congressional Republicans have made it a priority to claw back that funding, having already rescinded over $20 billion of the allocation. The administration’s stated goal is to shift the agency’s focus away from aggressive enforcement and toward a more “taxpayer-friendly” approach.
A Contentious Confirmation and an Uncertain Future
Democrats fiercely opposed Long’s nomination, citing not only his past calls to abolish the agency but also his post-congressional work with firms promoting controversial tax credits that have been flagged by the IRS for high rates of fraud.
Prospective IRS commissioner Billy Long downplayed concerns from Senate Democrats over his connection to a business that sells tax credits the IRS says don’t exist, saying “the jury’s still out” on their legality.
More on Long's hearing from @benmvaldez: https://t.co/Li7NykqonJ pic.twitter.com/w55RnUbRTu
— Tax Notes (@TaxNotes) May 21, 2025
In an official message to employees, Long has signaled a commitment to creating a new, positive culture at the IRS. However, his controversial background and the deep partisan divides over the agency’s role and funding suggest a turbulent and transformative period ahead for America’s tax agency.
