Billy Long nominated to lead IRS despite questionable tax credentials

Former U.S. Rep. Billy Long has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the IRS. Long claims to be a certified tax and business advisor, using the CTBA designation, which tax experts say is not widely recognized and requires only a short seminar. Long's experience in tax matters is limited compared to previous IRS leaders. He has worked to promote the employee retention credit, which has faced scrutiny for potential fraud. Two Senate Democrats have launched an investigation into the firms he worked with, noting his lack of formal tax credentials. If confirmed, Long would influence U.S. tax policy amid ongoing debates about IRS funding and operations. His past efforts included proposing to abolish the IRS and replace it with a national sales tax.