Senate Democrats Scrutinize Trump IRS Nominee Over Dubious Tax Credits

Billy Long, President Donald Trump's nominee for IRS commissioner, has faced intense scrutiny from Senate Democrats over his involvement with questionable tax credits, specifically pandemic-era employee retention tax credits and sovereign tribal tax credits that the IRS has stated do not exist. Long has downplayed his role, claiming his involvement was limited to referring clients to firms promoting these credits, and expressed willingness to cooperate with investigations. Senators, including Ron Wyden, have accused Long of profiting from these dubious schemes and raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, citing donations connected to these credits that helped pay off Long's campaign debts. Republicans have supported Long, emphasizing his potential to improve IRS services and efficiency, including reviewing the agency's free filing program, Direct File. Critics worry that Long's confirmation could weaken tax enforcement, especially amid recent IRS workforce reductions under the Trump administration. The controversy highlights broader concerns about the independence and integrity of the IRS under Long's prospective leadership.