Trump picks former Rep. Billy Long to be next IRS commissioner

President-elect Donald Trump has appointed former Congressman Billy Long as commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

He announced the election on Truth Social, writing:

I am pleased to announce that former Missouri Congressman Billy Long will be appointed Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Billy has 32 years of experience running his own real estate businesses and is one of the country’s leading auctioneers. He then served twelve years in Congress because he “believed it was important to his constituents to have a representative who signed the front of a check!”

Since leaving Congress, Billy has worked as a business and tax advisor, helping small businesses navigate the complexities of complying with IRS rules and regulations. I have known Billy since 2011 – he is an extremely hard worker and is respected by everyone, especially those who know him in Congress. Taxpayers and the wonderful IRS staff will love having Billy at the helm. He is the consummate “people person” who is highly regarded on both sides of the aisle.

Congratulations Billy!

Current IRS Commissioner, Danny Werfel, was sworn in on March 13, 2023, after testifying in a hearing on IRS funding, the tax gap, and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen’s directive that the IRS not increase audit rates for small businesses. Households earning less than $400,000 were criticized.

Werfel has a long history in government, serving as interim IRS commissioner for several months in 2013 after Steven T. Miller resigned under pressure during the Lois Lerner scandal. Previously, he began his public service career at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), where he served under nine directors from both political parties.

Werfel also worked in the private sector at Boston Consulting Group. He graduated from Cornell University before completing his law degree at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He also holds a Master of Public Policy from Duke University.

During his time in office, Werfel vowed to improve the taxpayer experience, thanks in part to the Inflation Reduction Act. The law significantly increased IRS funding, providing the agency with $80 billion over 10 years. Werfel noted at the time that the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the additional $80 billion under the IRA will increase federal revenues by more than $180 billion over that period, considering only direct enforcement revenues due to additional staffing. Early on, Werfel argued that improving service, problem solving, and effective enforcement would improve tax compliance and lead to even greater federal revenue.

Before Werfel, Charles Rettig, a Trump appointee, served as commissioner. Rettig left office on November 12, 2022, at the end of his term of office, which began on October 1, 2018.

IRS commissioners typically serve five years, and Werfel had indicated that, like Rettig, he intended to serve out his term, which was set to expire Nov. 12, 2027.

Trump’s announcement changes that – it looks like he will fire Werfel before the end of his term.

Trump cited his relationship with Long as a factor in the appointment. Long has no tax or accounting experience and no college degree. He dropped out of the University of Missouri before returning to school – this time to an auction program at the Missouri Auction School. He was told, he told Auctioneer Magazine, that it was the “Harvard of auction schools.” There he achieved the distinction of being a certified auctioneer.

After turning professionally into auctioneering, Long said he averaged about 200 auctions per year for 20 years. Today he is in the National Auction Association Hall of Fame.

In 2010, Long was elected U.S. Representative for Missouri’s 7th congressional district and served until 2023. He then ran for U.S. Senate in 2022, but lost in the Republican primary.

During his time in the House of Representatives, Long served on the Energy and Commerce Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, the Homeland Security Committee and the Republican Steering Committee. He did not serve on any tax or finance committees. However, he was awarded the “Tax Fighter Award” by the National Tax Limitation Committee (the organization appears to no longer exist – its former website now links to a Thai gambling site).

Long, whose Phone explodes. Thanks, let’s get to work!”

Long’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

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