In a move that has sent shockwaves through the political and tax communities, former Republican Congressman Billy Long has been nominated by President Donald Trump to lead the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Long, who served as a representative for Missouri’s 7th congressional district, has been a vocal critic of the IRS in the past. However, he has also expressed support for tax reform and simplification.
Long, 64, is a farmer and businessman who served in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2003 to 2011. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2011 and served on the House Ways and Means Committee. Long is known for his conservative views on taxes and government spending.
Long has been a critic of the IRS, calling it “out of control” and “incompetent.” He has also supported legislation that would simplify the tax code and reduce the size of the IRS. However, Long has also expressed support for tax reform that would make the tax code fairer and more equitable.
The nomination of Long to head the IRS has been met with mixed reactions. Some have praised Long’s experience on the House Ways and Means Committee and his commitment to tax reform. Others have expressed concern about his past criticism of the IRS and his lack of experience in tax administration.
The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents IRS employees, has expressed “deep concern” about Long’s nomination. The union has called on the Senate to reject the nomination, citing Long’s past statements about the IRS.
The IRS is facing a number of challenges, including a backlog of unprocessed tax returns, a shrinking workforce, and increasing complexity in the tax code. Long will need to address these challenges if he is confirmed as IRS Commissioner.
The backlog of unprocessed tax returns has been a problem for the IRS for several years. In 2021, the IRS had a backlog of over 24 million unprocessed tax returns. This backlog has caused delays in refunds and other tax-related services.
The IRS workforce has been shrinking in recent years. In 2021, the IRS had just over 73,000 employees. This is down from over 90,000 employees in 2010. The IRS has been struggling to hire and retain employees, due to low pay and high workload.
The tax code has become increasingly complex in recent years. This has made it more difficult for taxpayers to understand their tax obligations and has led to an increase in errors on tax returns.
The nomination of Billy Long to head the IRS is a controversial one. Long has been a critic of the IRS in the past, but he has also expressed support for tax reform. If confirmed, Long will face a number of challenges, including a backlog of unprocessed tax returns, a shrinking workforce, and increasing complexity in the tax code.
