Frank Bisignano to Lead IRS Operations While Retaining Social Security Role
In a significant move, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has appointed Frank Bisignano, the current commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA), to also oversee the day-to-day operations of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as its chief executive. This dual role aims to streamline operations and implement the administration's objectives for the tax collection agency.
Bisignano's Dual Role and Responsibilities
Bisignano will retain his position as commissioner of the Social Security Administration, bypassing the Senate confirmation process for the IRS role due to his existing confirmation. He will report directly to Scott Bessent, who remains the acting commissioner of the IRS. His primary focus will be on implementing the administration's goals for the IRS, specifically upgrading technology and facilitating electronic tax filing.
One of the immediate challenges facing Bisignano will be navigating the current government shutdown while simultaneously preparing the agency for the early 2026 tax filing season.
Streamlining Operations and Customer Service
According to Secretary Bessent, the IRS and SSA share similar technological and customer service goals.
"The IRS and SSA — two of the most public-facing and broadly impactful federal agencies — also share many of the same technological and customer service goals. This makes Mr. Bisignano a natural choice for this role,"Bessent said, emphasizing the synergy between the two agencies. He further added,
"We are pleased that he will bring this expertise to the IRS as we sharpen our focus on collections, privacy, and customer service in order to deliver better outcomes for hardworking Americans."
Bisignano's Extensive Background
Before leading the Social Security Administration, Frank Bisignano held prominent positions in the private sector. He served as chairman and CEO of Fiserv (FI), a payment technology company. In 2019, he spearheaded the merger of Fiserv and First Data while serving as CEO of First Data. His experience extends to financial giants like JPMorgan Chase (JPM), where he was co-chief operating officer and CEO of its mortgage banking unit. Additionally, he held multiple roles at Citigroup (C), including chief administrative officer.
