Billy Long Sworn In as IRS Commissioner: What Tax Professionals Should Expect

On July 18, 2025, former U.S. Congressman Billy Long was officially sworn in as the new Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service.

His appointment by President Trump comes at a moment of heightened political pressure on the IRS, including proposed budget cuts, enforcement rollbacks, and ongoing scrutiny of its modernization efforts.

For tax professionals, this leadership change marks a pivotal moment one that could significantly reshape the IRS’s operations, priorities, and relationship with practitioners.

Who Is Billy Long?

• Former Republican Congressman from Missouri (2011–2023)

• Known for his support of the “FairTax” movement and strong criticism of the IRS’s power

• Has no formal tax administration experience, but was a vocal advocate for eliminating income tax and replacing it with a national sales tax

• Sworn in at the White House on July 18, 2025

  
  

Why His Appointment Matters

Area	Potential Change
Enforcement	Long may push for reduced audit activity and rollback of enforcement tools used on small businesses and middle-income earners.
Administrative Reform	Likely to advocate for a simplified tax code and attempt to reduce IRS “bureaucracy.”
Technology Modernization	May prioritize taxpayer-facing improvements (e.g., call centers, online portals) over backend enforcement or AI-driven audits.
Budget Strategy	May align with House GOP’s plan to cut the IRS budget by over 20%—potentially impacting compliance and processing timelines.

Implications for Tax Professionals

1. Expect Administrative Shake-Ups

Long’s outsider status could lead to major leadership turnover inside the IRS especially among senior career officials focused on enforcement or legal interpretations. CPAs may see delays or inconsistency in guidance as teams transition.

2. Short-Term Relief, Long-Term Uncertainty

Clients may feel more comfortable taking aggressive positions under a lenient enforcement regime but practitioners should caution that any future administration could reverse these shifts. Strong documentation and defensibility remain key.

3. Watch for Structural Proposals

Given Long’s historical support for the FairTax, there’s a chance he promotes broader systemic reform or pilots for flat-tax-style compliance simplifications. These could affect withholding, reporting, and practitioner roles.

Key Takeaways

• This appointment signals a deep ideological shift at the top of the IRS.

• For tax professionals, the immediate impact may be less about audits and more about administrative culture, speed of guidance, and strategic direction.

• Firms should monitor internal IRS publications, proposed regulations, and Commissioner memos to adapt workflows and client guidance accordingly.

  
  

Bizora AI continuously monitors agency leadership changes and their downstream impact on audit risk, compliance workflows, and rule interpretation. Get daily updates via the Bizora Assistant dashboard.