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Social Security Administration Commissioner Frank Bisignano has been appointed to the newly created role of Chief Executive Officer of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The appointment comes as the IRS, which lost a significant portion of its staff under the Trump administration, must implement major tax changes before tax filing season starts. Bisignano, who will continue to lead the Social Security Administration, will not require Senate confirmation for his new role, allowing him to start immediately.
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Frank Bisignano Appointed as CEO of IRS While Retaining Social Security Leadership Role
Frank Bisignano, current Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), has been assigned to the newly created post of CEO of the Internal Revenue Service, as per an announcement by the Treasury Department on Monday. Bisignano, who previously held the CEO position at payments multinational Fiserv, will continue to head the SSA, an agency responsible for dispensing monthly payments to over 74 million beneficiaries.
Unique Arrangement with Treasury Secretary
In what is being seen as an unusual arrangement, Bisignano will take charge of the IRS’s day-to-day operations, reporting to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent who will continue as acting commissioner. Bessent has filled the rotating IRS commissioner role that has seen multiple occupants in the past year. This arrangement allows Bisignano to bypass the Senate confirmation process and assume his responsibilities immediately.
Challenges Awaiting Bisignano at IRS
The IRS, after facing significant staff reductions under the Trump administration’s downsizing of the federal government, has to implement significant tax changes as per the One Big Beautiful Bill Act before tax filing season commences in January. This involves drafting new regulations, upgrading technology, revising forms, and training customer service employees. Doubts have been raised by external experts and the Treasury’s internal watchdog about the IRS’s capability to complete this work in time.
The appointment coincides with a government shutdown. The IRS is using funds from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act to cover the salaries of its approximately 74,300 employees as per its contingency plan. However, the plan only accounts for expenses until Wednesday, leaving uncertainty about what would happen if the standoff extends beyond that.
Bisignano’s Focus at IRS
At the IRS, Bisignano will concentrate on “collections, privacy, and customer service,” according to Bessent. The Treasury Department noted the common technological and customer service objectives shared by the IRS and SSA, describing Bisignano as a natural choice for the role. “Bisignano’s immensely successful private sector career running payment processing and financial services companies makes him an invaluable asset for the IRS,” said Kush Desai, a White House spokesperson. Bisignano, who pledged to boost customer service and upgrade technology at SSA, is expected to help the administration uphold President Trump’s pledges to protect Social Security and reduce taxes for working-class Americans.
IRS’s Struggle and Social Security Challenge
The IRS has faced turmoil with six leaders rotating this year before Bessent became acting commissioner in August. The agency also lost significant staff, and faced legal issues over a controversial agreement to share taxpayer data with immigration agencies.
On the other hand, Bisignano’s role at the SSA has been applauded for improvements in customer service. However, some advocacy groups have raised doubts about his ability to efficiently manage both agencies simultaneously.
Contribution by CNN’s Samantha Waldenberg to this report.
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