Trish Turner has stepped down from her role as head of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) digital assets division, just three months after taking the position.
“Having dedicated over 20 years to the IRS, I reflect on my journey with immense gratitude, particularly for the people I’ve worked alongside who play a truly vital role,” Turner shared in a LinkedIn update on Friday.
“We tackled complex issues together, developed lasting programs, set the groundwork for the IRS’ approach to digital assets, and transitioned from niche to mainstream,” she added.
Turner is reportedly transitioning to the private sector
While she didn’t specify her next steps in her post, Turner mentioned that she’s “excited about continuing this mission from a new, rewarding position and fostering a connection between industry and regulatory bodies.”
According to Bloomberg Tax, she disclosed in an interview that she is set to become the tax director at a cryptocurrency tax firm, Crypto Tax Girl. On the same day, Laura Walter, the company’s founder, announced on LinkedIn that Turner would be joining their team.
“We can’t wait to have Trish on board to help guide clients through the upcoming changes in crypto taxes and compliance,” Walter noted.
Turner’s departure follows her brief tenure leading the digital assets team, after being appointed in May, after two private sector experts managed the IRS crypto unit for about a year.
Economist Timothy Peterson reacted to the news, quipping that “Trish Turner has left the dark side and become a Crypto Jedi Knight.”
Crypto taxation remains a priority in the US
In light of a March proposal from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) suggesting a 20% reduction in IRS staffing, discussions are underway to rethink crypto taxation in the United States.
Related: Five unexpected tax-free countries in 2025
On July 11, Cointelegraph reported on a session held by the House Committee on Methods, Means, and Surveillance, which aimed to explore necessary actions for establishing a tax policy framework for digital assets.
A few days prior, on July 4th, the Director-General of the US Treasury’s Taxation Department recommended revising procedures for managing digital assets within the IRS Criminal Investigation Bureau due to ongoing failures to adhere to established guidelines.
Additionally, on April 11, former President Donald Trump signed a resolution nullifying regulations from the Biden administration that mandated decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols to report transactions to the IRS.
Cointelegraph reached out to Trish Turner for comments, but did not receive a reply by publication time.
Magazine: Bitcoin’s long-term security budget: a looming crisis or just fear, uncertainty, and doubt?
