Billy Long is the 51st Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. As Commissioner, he presides over the nation’s tax system, which collects approximately $5 trillion in tax revenue each year, generating about 96% of the funding that supports the federal government’s operations. Commissioner Long oversees an agency of approximately 75,000 employees and an annual budget of roughly $11 billion.
Prior to becoming Commissioner, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023, representing Missouri’s 7th Congressional District. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, he advocated for policies that fostered innovation, broadband expansion and digital infrastructure development in rural areas.
During his time in Congress, he promoted economic growth and job creation through bills supporting small businesses and workforce training programs. His legislative victories included enactment of legislation in 2020 addressing the digital divide in rural and underserved areas. His congressional work also included advocating for improved healthcare access, affordability and quality for his constituents, helping lead to passage of legislation that provided resources to strengthen protections for Americans with pre-existing conditions.
Before being elected to Congress in 2010, Commissioner Long was a real estate broker for 32 years and an auctioneer for 31 years. In 2016 he was inducted into the National Auctioneers’ Association Hall of Fame. Commissioner Long also was a very popular morning drive-time radio talk show host from 1999 to 2006, hosting a show on which the IRS was always a hot topic.
Commissioner Long has received numerous awards in recognition of his work in support of the business community. These include: the Spirit of Enterprise Award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce; the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Businesses; and the Manufacturing Legislative Excellence Award from the National Association of Manufacturers.