IRS Commissioner Billy Long steps down after a brief tenure of just under two months
In a surprising turn of events, IRS Commissioner Billy Long has been replaced after just 53 days in the role. The former Missouri Congressman, who was confirmed in June 2025, is now expected to be appointed as an ambassador to Iceland.
Long's tenure at the IRS was marked by controversy and turmoil. Allegations of promoting phony tribal tax credits, questions about campaign finance, and concerns regarding his lack of tax policy experience were raised during his brief stint as Commissioner.
The IRS resisted DHS requests to provide detailed taxpayer data on undocumented immigrants, leading to inter-agency tensions. This resistance, coupled with ongoing controversies, created an unstable environment during Long's tenure.
The rapid commissioner turnover at the IRS under President Trump's administration in 2025 is noteworthy. With Long being the sixth person to serve as IRS Commissioner that year and the seventh acting commissioner overall, the agency has experienced unprecedented leadership instability.
Despite these leadership changes, the IRS reported increased tax collection efficiency and higher receipts compared to previous years. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has been appointed as acting IRS commissioner while a permanent replacement is named.
Staffers at the IRS were surprised by Long's replacement. The agency has already faced significant challenges, having laid off thousands of staffers, including nearly a third of its auditors, leading to a tumultuous time at the agency.
The IRS is preparing to implement sweeping changes to tax law as a result of the recently-passed GOP budget bill. The administration did not provide an immediate explanation for Long's replacement, but it is speculated that the controversial deal to share confidential taxpayer information with immigration officials may have played a role.
Jason Rosenbaum of St. Louis Public Radio contributed to this story. The New York Times first reported Long's replacement. As Long prepares to take on his new role as ambassador to Iceland, the IRS continues its mission to enforce tax laws and navigate the complexities of the tax system under the Trump administration.
- In light of the controversy surrounding his tenure as IRS Commissioner, it's possible that Billy Long's lack of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) policy-and-legislation awareness in his dealings with controversial tax credits may have contributed to his replacement by politics.
- The General News now reports that the IRS, while navigating the complexities of the tax system under the Trump administration and implementing sweeping changes to tax law, is also facing a shift in leadership due to politics, as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent takes on the role of acting IRS commissioner after the credit issues and other controversies surrounding Long's tenure.
