IRS Appoints Frank Bisignano as CEO — What It Means for You in 2025
The IRS is getting a new leader — and it’s big news for every taxpayer and business in America. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has announced that Frank Bisignano, who currently heads the Social Security Administration, will become the new CEO of the IRS.
This is a brand-new role, created to help the IRS modernize, improve service, and rebuild public trust. The change comes at a crucial time as the agency prepares for major challenges in the 2026 tax season.
Who Is Frank Bisignano?
Frank Bisignano is a well-known executive with decades of experience in finance and technology. Before joining the government, he was the CEO of Fiserv, a major financial services and tech company. He also worked in leadership positions at JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup.
In early 2025, he took over the Social Security Administration, where he focused on technology upgrades and smoother customer service. Now, the Treasury Department believes his experience will help bring the same kind of efficiency to the IRS.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Bisignano’s appointment aims to “stabilize IRS operations,” which have faced staffing shortages, slow service, and system issues in recent years.
Why the IRS Needed New Leadership
The IRS has had a tough few years. Millions of taxpayers have experienced:
- Long delays in refunds
- Difficulty reaching IRS representatives
- Confusing online tools
- Slow technology updates
In addition, the agency has struggled with staff turnover and outdated systems. The Treasury hopes that creating a CEO role will bring business-style leadership and help the IRS run more efficiently — like a modern company instead of a slow-moving agency.
Scott Bessent, the Treasury Secretary, said the new CEO position is part of a long-term effort to rebuild the IRS after years of underfunding. The goal is to make tax filing easier, faster, and more secure for everyone.
What the IRS CEO Will Do
Frank Bisignano’s new job will focus on three major goals: technology, efficiency, and trust.
1. Upgrade IRS Technology
The IRS still relies on decades-old computer systems. Bisignano’s background in financial technology could help modernize those systems. That means:
- Faster refund processing
- More accurate data handling
- Easier access for taxpayers online
Better technology will also help prevent identity theft, reduce fraud, and make it easier to track tax credits and payments.
2. Improve Service for Taxpayers
Many taxpayers feel frustrated when dealing with the IRS — long phone waits, confusing letters, and website errors. Bisignano plans to strengthen customer service by hiring more staff, improving online chat tools, and simplifying tax notices.
He also wants to make it easier for taxpayers to fix mistakes without fear of penalties, encouraging more voluntary compliance.
3. Strengthen Enforcement and Fairness
The IRS must balance helping honest taxpayers with catching tax evaders. Bisignano is expected to invest in smarter audit systems that target fraud more accurately — so small businesses and middle-income earners aren’t unfairly audited.
This focus on fairness could rebuild confidence in the tax system and reduce taxpayer stress.
Challenges the IRS Still Faces
Even with strong leadership, Bisignano will face several major challenges:
- Staff shortages: Thousands of IRS employees are retiring, and hiring new talent has been slow.
- Funding limits: Although the agency received new funding in recent years, some of it has been reduced by Congress.
- Public distrust: Many taxpayers still doubt the IRS’s ability to manage data securely or provide fair treatment.
- 2026 tax season pressures: The next major tax season could bring new credits, changes from the 2025 tax bill, and software updates all at once.
The combination of these challenges means Bisignano will need to act fast — and get results quickly.
What This Means for Individual Taxpayers
If you’re an individual taxpayer, here’s what you might notice under the IRS’s new leadership:
- Faster refunds — Modern systems should shorten waiting times.
- Clearer communication — Simplified letters and notices that are easier to understand.
- Better online services — More self-service tools to handle issues without calling.
- Stronger data protection — Improved cybersecurity to keep your information safe.
In short, the IRS wants to feel more like an online bank or customer service agency — something that works for you, not against you.
What This Means for Businesses
For small businesses, this leadership change could be even more impactful.
- Simpler compliance: Expect clearer rules and better online tools for filing and paying taxes.
- Reduced audit anxiety: Smarter technology may help the IRS focus on real fraud, not small errors.
- Faster issue resolution: Business owners may spend less time dealing with IRS delays or miscommunications.
- Technology integration: More digital filing systems may allow accounting software to sync directly with IRS databases.
With Bisignano’s background in corporate operations, many business owners hope the IRS will start to act like a true partner — not just a regulator.
The Bigger Picture: A Modern IRS
This move is part of a broader modernization plan that began after years of public frustration. The IRS wants to:
- Become fully digital by 2030
- Offer faster responses through AI-driven support tools
- Reduce paper processing by more than half
- Improve taxpayer education and outreach
Creating a CEO position gives the agency a single leader focused on performance and accountability — while the Treasury Secretary continues to oversee policy and compliance.
According to the Wall Street Journal, this dual structure is designed to bring private-sector efficiency into a public agency known for red tape and delays.
How Taxpayers Can Prepare for the Changes
Even though improvements will take time, you can prepare by:
- Setting up an IRS online account to access your tax info easily.
- Keeping digital records of all filings and payments.
- Watching for IRS updates about new services or online tools.
- Working with trusted tax professionals who stay informed on IRS changes.
The next few tax seasons could bring smoother filing experiences — especially if Bisignano’s reforms succeed.
Conclusion
Frank Bisignano’s appointment as the first CEO of the IRS marks the start of a new era in tax administration. His business and tech background could finally bring the upgrades taxpayers have been waiting for — faster service, clearer communication, and stronger protection against fraud.
However, with staffing issues, funding cuts, and rising expectations, the job won’t be easy.
If Bisignano succeeds, this could become one of the most important leadership changes in the IRS’s history — turning a slow, paper-heavy agency into a modern, digital-first organization that truly serves the American people.