Frank Bisignano, commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), will now also serve as CEO of the Internal Revenue Service, the Treasury Department announced Monday. This dual appointment comes at a pivotal time, with the IRS facing a staffing crisis, looming regulatory deadlines, and the pressures of a government shutdown.
Bisignano, a former CEO of Fiserv, will continue overseeing SSA’s operations, which deliver monthly benefits to over 74 million Americans. He will now also manage the day-to-day operations of the IRS, reporting to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who remains acting IRS commissioner. The new CEO position allows Bisignano to bypass Senate confirmation and begin his duties immediately.
The IRS is currently preparing to implement major tax reforms from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act before the next filing season begins in January. These reforms require updates to IRS regulations, technology, and customer service procedures. However, the agency’s capacity to meet these demands is in question following the loss of more than 25,000 employees due to voluntary buyouts, deferred resignations, and layoffs.
The Treasury’s internal watchdog recently warned of significant concerns heading into the 2026 tax season, citing workforce reductions and delayed IT modernization. The IRS is expected to hire at least 3,500 employees to meet basic customer service goals, including answering calls and processing paper returns.
Bisignano joins the IRS during a government shutdown, though the agency remains operational using funds from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Those funds are projected to run out within days, and no clear plan has been announced if the impasse continues.
Meanwhile, Bisignano faces scrutiny over his ability to lead both agencies. Advocacy groups and political opponents argue the dual role could dilute his focus, particularly as the SSA grapples with its own service delivery challenges. Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has raised concerns about inflated performance claims at SSA, prompting an inspector general investigation into call center wait times and agency efficiency.
The IRS has also been embroiled in controversy, including a legal battle over a recent request from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to access taxpayer data for deportation enforcement. The agency, under former commissioner Billy Long, provided information on only 47,000 of the 1.2 million individuals ICE requested data for, citing federal privacy laws.
The White House praised Bisignano’s appointment, highlighting his private-sector experience in financial services and technology as key qualifications for managing two of the federal government’s most public-facing agencies. President Trump’s administration views the move as part of a broader effort to modernize and streamline federal service delivery.
