The IRS Is Under New Management (Again): What Should You Expect?
It’s hard to run a stable tax system when the agency in charge of it has had seven leaders in a year. Now, it’s adding a CEO.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has appointed Frank Bisignano, the current Social Security chief and former Fiserv executive, to manage the IRS’s day-to-day operations. He’ll report directly to Bessent, who remains the acting commissioner.
If that sounds like an odd structure, it is. But for the professionals whose work depends on IRS responsiveness — tax pros, attorneys, realtors, mortgage brokers — the bigger issue isn’t the job title.
It’s what happens next.
Why This Matters
When the IRS doesn't operate efficiently, everyone suffers. Clients can’t close on homes, loans stall, refunds vanish into backlogs, and resolution cases sit idle.
Add in hiring freezes, staff cuts, and new tax law implementation — and it’s fair to ask: Who’s actually steering the ship?
4 Things to Watch as Bisignano Takes Over
1. Leadership Whiplash Continues
From Biden’s appointee Danny Werfel to Trump’s acting commissioners to Billy Long’s two-month cameo — the IRS leadership chart looks like musical chairs. It breeds hesitation, kills institutional memory, and leaves frontline employees guessing whose policies to follow.
Your client’s tax debt doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it exists in that environment.
2. A CEO Mindset Could Mean More Automation
Bisignano comes from a world where speed and systems matter more than nuance. He’ll likely push the IRS toward efficiency metrics: shorter call times, faster resolutions, and more automation. But speed and accuracy aren’t the same thing. For clients with complex debt issues or identity theft problems, “AI-driven efficiency” could mean fewer real humans to solve real problems.
3. The IRS Is Being Rebuilt While Flying
Meanwhile, half the executive ranks are empty. Seventeen percent of the accounts-management team — the people who actually process taxpayer correspondence — are gone. The IRS says it’s hiring again, but needless to say, hiring without training or leadership is not ideal. For professionals, that means expect longer delays, uneven responses, and more “we’re still reviewing your case” letters.
4. The Politics of Refunds
Make no mistake: the new tax law was timed for political impact. Expanded deductions for workers, seniors, and high-SALT taxpayers are supposed to deliver a wave of happy refund checks in early 2026. If the IRS can’t process them on time, that’s not just a PR problem — it’s a financial one for millions of taxpayers.
And you'll be hearing from your clients.
TL;DR
⏩ The IRS just appointed a CEO (Frank Bisignano), who’s also running Social Security, while Scott Bessent remains acting commissioner.
⏩ Leadership churn and vacancies mean confusion and slow responses.
⏩ Expect a push for automation — but fewer humans for complex cases.
⏩ The 2026 filing season could be a logistical minefield.
⏩ Professionals should prepare for slower turnaround times and more client anxiety.
➥ Contact Attorney Stephen A. Weisberg for a free Tax Debt Analysis.
Contact Me Here: https://www.weisberg.tax/contact-1
Email: sweisberg@wtaxattorney.com
Phone/Text: (248) 971-0885
Address: 300 Galleria Officentre, Suite 402, Southfield, MI 48034
