Just a couple of months after taking office, Billy Long is no longer the IRS commissioner. His departure, first reported by the New York Times, has since been confirmed by the White House.
Leadership Changes
Long’s nomination by President Donald Trump was announced in December 2024; however, Danny Werfel held the commissioner position until early 2027. Werfel announced his resignation on January 20, 2025, leading to Doug O’Donnell stepping in as the acting commissioner. O’Donnell, however, stepped down by February 28, 2025, with Melanie Kraus then taking the role. Kraus resigned in April 2025 after the IRS agreed to share immigration tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). For just two days, Gary Shapley represented the committee before Michael Faulkunder took over on April 18, 2025.
With these changes, the IRS has seen a significant drop in staff, from 103,000 employees in January to approximately 77,000 by May—a reduction of about 25%, according to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
This turbulence in leadership comes as the IRS gears up for the upcoming tax season. Notably, there will be no adjustments to certain information returns or withholding tables for 2025, which means business and tax professionals have a stable framework to operate within.
About Billy Long
Long’s appointment was viewed as somewhat unconventional and controversial. He lacks formal education in tax, law, or accounting—having only participated in an auction training program after dropping out of the University of Missouri. He claims to have mastered his auction career, handling around 200 auctions annually for two decades, and was inducted into the National Auction Association Hall of Fame. Prior to his role in Washington, he was both a real estate broker and a radio talk show host.
From 2011 to 2023, Long served as a U.S. representative for Missouri’s 7th Congressional District. He attempted a U.S. Senate bid in 2022 but wasn’t successful in the Republican primary.
During his time in the House, he served on various committees, but notably not on the Tax or Finance Committees. Nevertheless, he did receive a “Tax Fighter Prize” from a now-defunct organization, indicating his long-standing interest in tax policy. In 2011, Long was involved in a bill aiming to eliminate federal income taxes—a theme he revisited multiple times over the years with various proposals against the IRS and advocating for a national sales tax.
Controversial Confirmation
His confirmation vote was narrowly passed with a 53-44 party-line margin, supported entirely by Senate Republicans. During the confirmation hearings, Democrats expressed concerns over Long’s connections to businesses that had promoted certain controversial tax credits. Questions arose regarding potential political interference in the IRS, especially in light of previous threats against the tax-exempt status of institutions like Harvard.
When asked by Senator Elizabeth Warren about IRS investigations, Long suggested he would consult legal advice to determine whether presidential direction was permissible, eventually acknowledging that he would follow the law as required.
Future Directions
Recently, Long hinted at potential delays in the 2026 tax season, saying the agency needed more preparation time. However, the IRS quickly rebuffed this speculation, affirming their commitment to a typical tax season schedule.
As for Long’s next steps, he is expected to be appointed as an ambassador, according to a Treasury spokesperson who praised his dedication to public service throughout his time in office. The IRS has not provided any immediate comments regarding his departure.
Reactions
Senator Ron Wyden voiced his concerns about Long’s exit, suggesting from the outset everyone knew it wouldn’t end well, and criticized the unanimous Republican support for his confirmation. He indicated there were serious investigations into Long’s conduct during his tenure.
