Created by Congress in July 1862, the office of the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue is a unit of the IRS charged with managing and supervising the actions and direction of the IRS to ensure compliance with the tax code and Treasury Regulations. The office guides other sections of the IRS, including Chief Counsel, the Taxpayer Advocate Service, the Taxpayer Experience Office, and the Communications and Liaison office, among others.
Danny Werfel served as the 50th Commissioner of the IRS. He presided over a phase of the agency that saw technological modernization, advancement of IRS taxpayer services, and robust efforts to prosecute tax crime, step up tax audits, and initiate criminal tax investigations. Werfel began his five-year term in March 2023. The role of IRS Commissioner is typically not partisan and Werfel was slated to step down in November 2027.
Following the presidential transition, the new administration appointed Billy Long to lead the IRS, prompting Werfel to step down on Inauguration Day.
While not an attorney or tax professional, Long served in the U.S. House of Representatives as a representative from Missouri from 2011 to 2023. During that time, he supported legislative efforts to abolish the IRS. Upon leaving office, Long found success promoting IRS tax credits. Prior to taking office, Long worked as a real estate broker and was an auctioneer for 31 years, later inducted into the National Auctioneers’ Association Hall of Fame.
The IRS that Long now leads is markedly different than that helmed by Werfel. The agency workforce has dropped precipitously this year due to layoffs and workers who have left voluntarily. The administration has expressed interest in coordinating IRS efforts with broader government initiatives. In a statement, Long wrote, “In my first 90 days, I plan to ask you, my employee partners, to help me develop a new culture here. I’m big on culture, and I’m anxious to develop one that makes your lives and the taxpayers’ lives better.” Long is the sixth person to lead the IRS this year.
The agenda of the IRS is poised for change. With newly passed legislation, the 2025 tax season will be a busy one. If you have questions about how changes will affect you, talk to your tax lawyer for help navigating the changes.
If you are involved in a tax crime, your best defense is a highly skilled legal tax defense. If you believe you are being surveilled by the IRS, get legal help sooner rather than later. Call us at 440-250-9709 or reach out to set up a consultation. We serve domestic and international clients from offices in Cleveland and Chicago.
Not sure what to expect if you are already under scrutiny? Download our free eBook, Will I Be Changed with Criminal Tax Fraud ?, for insights into warning signs, and potential legal defenses.