Billy Long ousted As IRS commissioner After Just 2 Months

Billy Long, the commissioner of the IRS, is leaving his post after just two months on the job.

Long was confirmed by the Senate in mid-June and took over the IRS after a tumultuous period for the tax collection agency’s leadership. (Photo: Gage Skidmore Flickr)

President Trump will nominate Long to serve as ambassador to Iceland, the outgoing IRS commissioner said in a statement confirming the news, which was first reported by The New York Times, Joe Walsh wrote for CBS News.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will temporarily lead the IRS, a White House official told CBS News.

“I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda,” Long said in his statement.

“Exciting times ahead!” In his last mass email to the IRS workforce on Thursday, Long told agency employees they could leave 70 minutes early on Friday, two staffers told CBS News.

He had offered early dismissals at the end of the week on several occasions, one employee said.

Long was confirmed by the Senate in mid-June and took over the IRS after a tumultuous period for the tax collection agency’s leadership. The IRS has had several interim commissioners since Trump’s return to office in January, including one who lasted just 48 hours.

The Trump administration has aimed to dramatically reduce the agency’s workforce.

A former auctioneer and Missouri Republican congressman, Long was chosen to take over the IRS late last year after previously pushing to repeal much of the tax code during his time in the House.

Long is not an accountant by trade, but Trump touted his experience as a tax adviser.

After retiring from Congress in 2023, Long advised businesses on the Employee Retention Tax Credit, drawing criticism from Democrats who noted the credit’s high rate of fraud.