IRS Crypto Chief Trish Turner Resigns After 3 Months Amid Staff Cuts and Leadership Uncertainty

Trish Turner, the newly appointed head of the IRS’s digital assets division, has resigned after serving for less than three months. Her departure marks another high-profile leadership shift in the IRS’s crypto unit, following the exits of Sulolit “Raj” Mukherjee and Seth Wilks earlier this year. Turner, a 20-year IRS veteran, has joined Crypto Tax Girl as its Tax Director, a firm that offers advisory services to clients navigating the complex world of cryptocurrency taxation [1].

In her LinkedIn post, Turner expressed gratitude for her time at the IRS and stated her new role would allow her to “build bridges between industry and regulators.” She highlighted the progress made during her tenure in advancing the IRS’s digital asset strategy, which has shifted from a niche focus to a central priority in federal tax policy [2]. Laura Walter, founder of Crypto Tax Girl, confirmed Turner’s appointment and emphasized her role in guiding clients through the evolving regulatory landscape [3].

Turner’s resignation has raised concerns about the IRS’s capacity to enforce digital asset tax compliance, particularly amid a broader context of leadership instability and workforce reductions. The agency has reportedly faced a 20% staff reduction, which may impact its ability to manage the growing complexities of crypto tax enforcement. Turner’s move to the private sector also reflects a broader trend of experienced government officials transitioning to industry-focused roles, potentially signaling a shift in how tax compliance is approached in the crypto space [5].

The timing of her departure coincides with key developments in the regulatory environment. The House Committee on Ways and Means has held hearings on digital asset tax frameworks, while the Treasury Inspector General has recommended reforms to the IRS’s criminal investigation unit following procedural failures in crypto-related cases. Additionally, the Trump administration recently reversed a Biden-era policy that would have required DeFi platforms to report user transactions to the IRS, adding further uncertainty to the regulatory landscape [1].

Turner’s exit highlights the challenges the IRS faces in maintaining regulatory consistency and effectively enforcing tax policies in a fast-evolving sector. Analysts note that short tenures of key officials may affect the long-term stability of the IRS’s crypto enforcement strategies. As new tax forms—such as 1099-DA—are introduced and compliance expectations rise, the agency will need to adapt quickly to ensure effective oversight of digital asset transactions [5].

The transition of Turner to a private advisory role may indicate a growing focus on private-sector-driven compliance solutions, as well as an evolving relationship between government regulators and the crypto industry. Her experience and insights could help bridge gaps in understanding between taxpayers and regulatory authorities, potentially improving overall compliance levels. However, the leadership vacuum in the IRS’s crypto unit remains a point of concern as the agency continues to navigate a complex and rapidly changing policy environment [3].

Source: [1] IRS Crypto Head Trish Turner Resigns From The Agency (https://cointelegraph.com/news/irs-crypto-boss-trish-turner-resigns-after-3-months-in-the-role)

[2] IRS Digital Assets Chief Trish Turner Resigns After Three ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/irs-digital-assets-chief-trish-140600604.html)

[3] IRS Loses Top Crypto Enforcer After Only 90 Days On The ... (https://www.mitrade.com/insights/news/live-news/article-3-1064119-20250824)

[5] Trish Turner Quits IRS Crypto Post Amid 20% Workforce ... (https://www.ainvest.com/news/trish-turner-quits-irs-crypto-post-20-workforce-cuts-leadership-uncertainty-2508/)